Alcester, SD

South Dakota · Metropolitan Area

Alcester is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 987. Residents earn $58,661 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
987 Population 1,352/sq mi density
$58,661 Median Income $27,378 per capita
$114,400 Home Value $292,181 Zillow
$690 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
250 Violent Crime/100K 250 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$58,661 median income, 0.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$114,400 home value, $690/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
250 violent crimes/100K (34% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,661
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $114,400
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 250/100K
34% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.9%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $690
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.9%
1% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.5%
86% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.0%
5% higher than US avg

How Alcester Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population987
Median Age42.9 yrs
Density1,352/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,661
Per Capita$27,378
Unemployment0.5%
Poverty13.0%
County GDP$8,823M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$114,400
Rent$690
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$292,181

Crime

F
Violent250/100K
Property250/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault250/100K
Burglary125/100K

Health

Obesity31.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain26.9 in/yr
Elevation1,418 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.9%
High School+90.0%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute15 min
Libraries5

Is Alcester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alcester receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Alcester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alcester is $58,661, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.5%. 13.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alcester is $114,400, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $690 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Alcester is below the national average at 250 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 250 per 100,000, 87% below the national average.

Education

15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Alcester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.9 inches, including 30.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Alcester has a population of 987 with a density of 1,352 people per square mile. The median age is 42.9 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.4%), with 2.2% Hispanic.

Population

987
Total Population
1,352
People / sq mi
42.9yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Alcester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Alcester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alcester is $58,661, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Alcester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,661
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,378
Avg Weekly Wage$1,252
IRS Avg AGI$124,882

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.5%
86% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.0%
5% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,515
County GDP$8,823M

Business (County)

Restaurants100
Healthcare230
Retail180
Manufacturing61

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,467
142% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.0 min
Work from Home4.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Alcester is $114,400, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $690 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $292,181.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$114,400
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$292,181

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$690
41% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$691
1 Bedroom$784
2 Bedrooms$990
3 Bedrooms$1,295
4 Bedrooms$1,540

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,467
142% above US avg
Effective Rate7.40%
In Alcester, 31.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.2% report depression. 21.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Alcester vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.9%
1% below US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure27.8%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.8%
Physical Inactivity21.3%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress11.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Checkup Rate73.0%
Premature Death4,503/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.5/10
Exercise Access92.3%
Healthcare Facilities230
Alcester has a violent crime rate of 250 per 100,000 residents, 34% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 250 per 100,000 (87% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Alcester vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent250.3/100K
34% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault250.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property250.3/100K
87% below US avg
Burglary125.2/100K
Theft0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft125.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Alcester has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.4°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.9 inches
29% below US avg
Snowfall30.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,418 ft (432 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density1,352/sq mi
Coordinates43.0276°N, 96.6268°W
County FIPS46083
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.2%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 26.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.9%
53% below US avg
High School+90.0%
School Test Score5.45
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,352/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities230
Restaurants100
Retail Stores180

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.0 min
Work from Home4.1%

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