Bonesteel, SD

South Dakota

Bonesteel is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 301. Residents earn $40,750 per year, which is 46% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
301 Population 860/sq mi density
$40,750 Median Income $19,900 per capita
$65,000 Home Value
$580 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$40,750 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$65,000 home value, $580/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,750
46% lower than US avg
Home Value $65,000
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.8%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $580
50% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.8%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.5%
7% lower than US avg

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

People

Population301
Median Age42.8 yrs
Density860/mi²
Male / Female66% / 34%
Largest GroupWhite 66%

Economy

B+
Median Income$40,750
Per Capita$19,900
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty11.5%
County GDP$600M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$65,000
Rent$580
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain25.9 in/yr
Elevation1,966 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.8%
High School+96.1%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute18 min
Libraries4

Is Bonesteel a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bonesteel is $40,750, 46% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. 11.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bonesteel is $65,000, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $580 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Bonesteel experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 25.9 inches, including 37.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Bonesteel has a population of 301 with a density of 860 people per square mile. The median age is 42.8 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (66.1%), with 33.9% Hispanic.

Population

301
Total Population
860
People / sq mi
42.8yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 66.4%
Female 33.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Bonesteel vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.1%
22% above US avg
Spanish3.9%
71% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bonesteel vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bonesteel is $40,750, which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Bonesteel vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,750
46% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,900
Avg Weekly Wage$916
IRS Avg AGI$66,614

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.5%
7% below US avg
Establishments (County)377
County GDP$600M

Business (County)

Restaurants26
Healthcare26
Retail52
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,700
6% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.69%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.1 min
Work from Home1.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Bonesteel is $65,000, 77% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $580 (50% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$65,000
77% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$580
50% 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-Occupied68.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,700
6% above US avg
Effective Rate5.69%
In Bonesteel, 37.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.2% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.8%
18% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure30.9%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.5%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.5%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.8%
Checkup Rate73.4%
Premature Death16,779/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access37.4%
Healthcare Facilities26

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Bonesteel has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 25.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.6°F
12% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall25.9 inches
32% below US avg
Snowfall37.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,966 ft (599 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density860/sq mi
Coordinates43.0775°N, 98.9468°W
County FIPS46023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.6%
D 27.7%

Winner: Republican by 42.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.8%
59% below US avg
High School+96.1%
School Test Score5.45
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density860/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities26
Restaurants26
Retail Stores52

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.1 min
Work from Home1.1%

Nearby Cities

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