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SDSouth Dakota rankings

Oldest towns in South Dakota

Ranked by the median age of residents — often lake, mountain and retirement towns. 37 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year

1 Colonial Pine Hills 59.5 Population 2,609 Hot Springs 2 Hot Springs 59.4 Population 3,548 3 Milbank 50.0 Population 3,525
#TownMedian agePopulationHome value
1 Colonial Pine Hills2,609 people 59.5 2,609 $406,500
2 Hot Springs Hot Springs3,548 people 59.4 3,548 $202,600
3 Milbank3,525 people 50.0 3,525 $155,000
4 Split RockMinnehaha County · 3,143 people 49.3 3,143 $499,600
5 Map of Lead Lead3,006 people 46.5 3,006 $189,400
6 Map of Winner Winner2,905 people 43.6 2,905 $106,100
7 Rapid Valley Rapid Valley6,975 people 43.2 6,975 $255,500
8 Chamberlain2,588 people 43.0 2,588 $224,300
9 Dakota Dunes3,936 people 42.6 3,936 $565,600
10 Canton Canton3,033 people 42.2 3,033 $191,400
11 Blackhawk2,934 people 42.1 2,934 $273,300
12 Big SiouxUnion County · 4,917 people 41.7 4,917 $502,200
13 Mobridge2,932 people 41.7 2,932 $136,800
14 Yankton15,540 people 41.4 15,540 $222,700
15 Sturgis Sturgis7,086 people 40.3 7,086 $271,200
16 Map of Madison Madison6,094 people 40.1 6,094 $193,100
17 Spearfish Spearfish12,930 people 40.0 12,930 $346,200
18 Map of Mitchell Mitchell15,649 people 39.6 15,649 $192,200
19 Watertown Watertown23,044 people 39.5 23,044 $229,400
20 Map of Hartford Hartford3,478 people 39.5 3,478 $257,700
21 Pierre13,948 people 39.4 13,948 $230,700
22 Dell Rapids Dell Rapids3,905 people 39.3 3,905 $301,700
23 Map of Rapid City Rapid City77,946 people 39.1 77,946 $299,400
24 Belle Fourche5,804 people 38.3 5,804 $222,500
25 Map of Brandon Brandon10,996 people 36.7 10,996 $336,600
26 Map of North Sioux City North Sioux City3,045 people 36.6 3,045 $269,800
27 Aberdeen28,189 people 36.4 28,189 $217,300
28 Map of Huron Huron14,385 people 36.1 14,385 $159,000
29 Map of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls201,469 people 35.5 201,469 $292,400
30 Elk Point Elk Point2,537 people 35.5 2,537 $248,500
31 Map of Summerset Summerset3,022 people 35.1 3,022 $368,300
32 Sisseton2,670 people 34.2 2,670 $109,200
33 Map of Harrisburg Harrisburg8,519 people 31.1 8,519 $312,200
34 Map of Tea Tea6,786 people 30.6 6,786 $351,100
35 Box Elder Box Elder12,902 people 28.8 12,902 $302,100
36 Brookings23,948 people 24.7 23,948 $265,500
37 Vermillion11,878 people 23.1 11,878 $219,000

How this ranking works

We rank every town by the median age of residents — often lake, mountain and retirement towns. The town with the highest figure ranks #1. For comparison, the figure for South Dakota as a whole is 38.0.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

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