Chester, SD

South Dakota · Metropolitan Area

Chester is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 215. Residents earn $67,417 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
215 Population 262/sq mi density
$67,417 Median Income $41,815 per capita
$128,400 Home Value $382,279 Zillow
$1,098 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$67,417 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$128,400 home value, $1,098/mo rent
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
30.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,417
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $128,400
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.1%
11% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,098
6% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.0%
3% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population215
Median Age47.4 yrs
Density262/mi²
Male / Female61% / 39%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A
Median Income$67,417
Per Capita$41,815
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$22,447M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$128,400
Rent$1,098
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$382,279

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity31.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.8%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain29.6 in/yr
Elevation1,595 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.1%
High School+98.1%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 55% / D 42%
Commute28 min
Libraries15

Is Chester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chester receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Chester stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chester is $67,417, 10% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chester is $128,400, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,098 per month. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

30.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Chester 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 29.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Chester has a population of 215 with a density of 262 people per square mile. The median age is 47.4 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.8%), with 6.5% Hispanic.

Population

215
Total Population
262
People / sq mi
47.4yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 61.4%
Female 38.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Chester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.2%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.8%
94% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chester is $67,417, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Chester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,417
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$41,815
Avg Weekly Wage$1,252
IRS Avg AGI$93,803

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)9,989
County GDP$22,447M

Business (County)

Restaurants558
Healthcare581
Retail804
Manufacturing192

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,828
95% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.32%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.4 min
Work from Home3.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Chester is $128,400, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,098 (6% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $382,279.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$128,400
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$382,279

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,098
6% 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-Occupied80.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,828
95% above US avg
Effective Rate5.32%
In Chester, 31.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 20.8% report depression. 18.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.0%
3% below US avg
Diabetes7.8%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure27.3%
Asthma9.7%
COPD4.5%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.1%
Physical Inactivity18.2%
Depression20.8%
Mental Distress14.6%
Physical Distress9.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Checkup Rate74.4%
Premature Death7,472/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access90.0%
Healthcare Facilities581

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Safety Score

Chester 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 29.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average45.1°F
16% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.6 inches
22% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,595 ft (486 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density262/sq mi
Coordinates43.8996°N, 96.9278°W
County FIPS46099
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 30.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (11% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 12.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.2%
D 42.5%

Winner: Republican by 12.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+30.1%
11% below US avg
High School+98.1%
School Test Score5.45
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density262/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries15
Healthcare Facilities581
Restaurants558
Retail Stores804

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.4 min
Work from Home3.5%

Nearby Cities

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