Badger, SD

South Dakota

Badger is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 164. Residents earn $68,571 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
164 Population 155/sq mi density
$68,571 Median Income $23,779 per capita
$72,000 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$68,571 median income, 6.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$72,000 home value
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,571
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $72,000
74% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.3%
66% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.6%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.4%
78% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.1%
83% lower than US avg

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

People

Population164
Median Age31.3 yrs
Density155/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

B+
Median Income$68,571
Per Capita$23,779
Unemployment6.4%
Poverty2.1%
County GDP$425M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$72,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain26.2 in/yr
Elevation1,722 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.3%
High School+87.6%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute23 min
Broadband51.0%

Is Badger a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Badger receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Badger offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Badger is $68,571, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.4% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Badger is $72,000, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Badger has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Badger has a population of 164 with a density of 155 people per square mile. The median age is 31.3 years, 20% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.6%).

Population

164
Total Population
155
People / sq mi
31.3yrs
Median Age
20% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.4%
Female 50.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Badger vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Badger vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Badger is $68,571, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Badger vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,571
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,779
Avg Weekly Wage$1,068
IRS Avg AGI$81,032

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.4%
78% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.1%
83% below US avg
Establishments (County)279
County GDP$425M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare9
Retail23
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,783
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.64%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.7 min
Work from Home16.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Badger is $72,000, 74% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$72,000
74% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied92.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,783
37% above US avg
Effective Rate6.64%
In Badger, 36.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 23.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.6%
14% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure28.7%
Asthma9.9%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity23.1%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.0%
Checkup Rate72.9%
Premature Death6,695/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access22.4%
Healthcare Facilities9

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Badger has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average15°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.2 inches
31% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,722 ft (525 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density155/sq mi
Coordinates44.4855°N, 97.2079°W
County FIPS46057
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 11.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.5-point margin. 51.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.4%
D 18.9%

Winner: Republican by 60.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.3%
66% below US avg
High School+87.6%
School Test Score5.45
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density155/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access51.0%
Healthcare Facilities9
Restaurants10
Retail Stores23

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.7 min
Work from Home16.9%

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