Bristol, SD

South Dakota

Bristol is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 245. Residents earn $51,250 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
245 Population 471/sq mi density
$51,250 Median Income $34,990 per capita
$61,700 Home Value
$738 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$51,250 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$61,700 home value, $738/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $51,250
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $61,700
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.3%
61% lower than US avg
Median Rent $738
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.1%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.3%
49% lower than US avg

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

People

Population245
Median Age52.4 yrs
Density471/mi²
Male / Female47% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B+
Median Income$51,250
Per Capita$34,990
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty6.3%
County GDP$381M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$61,700
Rent$738
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity34.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain24.0 in/yr
Elevation1,788 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.3%
High School+95.2%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute20 min
Libraries2

Is Bristol a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bristol receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Bristol offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bristol is $51,250, 32% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bristol is $61,700, 78% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $738 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Bristol has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Bristol has a population of 245 with a density of 471 people per square mile. The median age is 52.4 years, 35% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.2%), with 6.1% Hispanic.

Population

245
Total Population
471
People / sq mi
52.4yrs
Median Age
35% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.5%
Female 53.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Bristol vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bristol vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bristol is $51,250, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Bristol vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$51,250
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,990
Avg Weekly Wage$863
IRS Avg AGI$83,519

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.3%
49% below US avg
Establishments (County)268
County GDP$381M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare20
Retail38
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,400
54% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate8.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.0 min
Work from Home12.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Bristol is $61,700, 78% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $738 (37% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$61,700
78% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$738
37% 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-Occupied80.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,400
54% above US avg
Effective Rate8.75%
In Bristol, 34.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 23.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.1%
6% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma10.2%
COPD6.3%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.8%
Physical Inactivity23.1%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.3%
Checkup Rate72.8%
Premature Death6,776/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access45.7%
Healthcare Facilities20

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Bristol has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 24.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.2°F
18% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall24.0 inches
37% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,788 ft (545 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density471/sq mi
Coordinates45.3438°N, 97.7450°W
County FIPS46037
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 13.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (61% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64%
D 34.1%

Winner: Republican by 29.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.3%
61% below US avg
High School+95.2%
School Test Score5.45
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density471/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities20
Restaurants25
Retail Stores38

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.0 min
Work from Home12.2%

Nearby Cities

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