Alpena, SD

South Dakota

Alpena is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 349. Residents earn $65,417 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
349 Population 214/sq mi density
$65,417 Median Income $44,124 per capita
$46,100 Home Value
$867 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$65,417 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$46,100 home value, $867/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,417
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $46,100
84% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.3%
75% lower than US avg
Median Rent $867
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.9%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.0%
21% higher than US avg

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

People

Population349
Median Age36.0 yrs
Density214/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 67%

Economy

B+
Median Income$65,417
Per Capita$44,124
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty15.0%
County GDP$172M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$46,100
Rent$867
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.4%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain24.6 in/yr
Elevation1,321 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.3%
High School+86.5%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute14 min
Libraries1

Is Alpena a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alpena receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Alpena offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alpena is $65,417, 13% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 15.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alpena is $46,100, 84% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $867 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Alpena experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.6 inches, including 26.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Alpena has a population of 349 with a density of 214 people per square mile. The median age is 36.0 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (66.5%), with 11.2% Hispanic.

Population

349
Total Population
214
People / sq mi
36.0yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

Alpena vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only82.9%
6% above US avg
Spanish17.1%
28% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Alpena vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alpena is $65,417, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Alpena vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,417
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$44,124
Avg Weekly Wage$915
IRS Avg AGI$60,554

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.0%
21% above US avg
Establishments (County)106
County GDP$172M

Business (County)

Restaurants9
Healthcare6
Retail10

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time13.5 min
Work from Home11.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Alpena is $46,100, 84% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $867 (25% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$46,100
84% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$867
25% 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-Occupied91.3%

Property Tax

In Alpena, 36.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.4% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.9%
15% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure28.6%
Asthma9.4%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.3%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression19.4%
Mental Distress15.2%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.1%
Checkup Rate72.9%

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access68.3%
Healthcare Facilities6

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Alpena has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 24.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average45.5°F
16% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall24.6 inches
35% below US avg
Snowfall26.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,321 ft (403 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density214/sq mi
Coordinates44.1834°N, 98.3684°W
County FIPS46073
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 8.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (75% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.9%
D 27.6%

Winner: Republican by 43.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.3%
75% below US avg
High School+86.5%
School Test Score5.45
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density214/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities6
Restaurants9
Retail Stores10

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute13.5 min
Work from Home11.9%

Nearby Cities

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