Clear Lake, SD

South Dakota

Clear Lake is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 30. Residents earn $22,679 per year, which is 70% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
30 Population 9/sq mi density
$22,679 Median Income $17,443 per capita
$144,400 Home Value
$679 Median Rent 20.5% income on rent
42°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$22,679 median income, 0.0% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.1 / 5.0
$144,400 home value, $679/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $22,679
70% lower than US avg
Home Value $144,400
49% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Median Rent $679
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.2%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.2%
34% lower than US avg

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

People

Population30
Median Age68.1 yrs
Density9/mi²
Male / Female17% / 83%
Largest GroupWhite 20%
Veterans9.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$22,679
Per Capita$17,443
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty8.2%
County GDP$553M
Commute20 min

Housing

B
Home Value$144,400
Rent$679
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden20.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.9%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain27.5 in/yr
Elevation1,837 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+100.0%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 23%
Commute20 min
Broadband79.3%
Libraries1

Is Clear Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clear Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.8 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. Clear Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clear Lake is $22,679, 70% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 8.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clear Lake is $144,400, 49% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $679 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.4x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Clear Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.5 inches, including 60.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Clear Lake has a population of 30 with a density of 9 people per square mile. The median age is 68.1 years, 75% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (76.7%), with 20% White, 3.3% Black.

Population

30
Total Population
9
People / sq mi
68.1yrs
Median Age
75% above US avg
3.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 16.7%
Female 83.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Clear Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.0%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Clear Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clear Lake is $22,679, which is 70% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Clear Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$22,679
70% below US avg
Per Capita Income$17,443
Avg Weekly Wage$1,023
IRS Avg AGI$72,094

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.2%
34% below US avg
Establishments (County)200
County GDP$553M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare9
Retail16
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,600
3% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.49%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.2 min
Drive Alone79.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Clear Lake is $144,400, 49% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $679 (42% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$144,400
49% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$679
42% below US avg
Rent Burden20.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied11.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,600
3% above US avg
Effective Rate2.49%
In Clear Lake, 36.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.9% report depression. 22.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Clear Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.2%
13% above US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure28.9%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity22.5%
Depression22.9%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.2%
Checkup Rate73.5%
Premature Death7,408/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access51.0%
Healthcare Facilities9

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Clear Lake has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.4°F
21% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.5 inches
28% below US avg
Snowfall60.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,837 ft (560 m)
Area3.3 sq mi (8.5 km²)
Population Density9/sq mi
Coordinates44.7563°N, 96.6902°W
County FIPS46039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (100% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.7-point margin. 79.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.7%
D 23%

Winner: Republican by 51.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+0.0%
100% below US avg
High School+100.0%
School Test Score5.45
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density9/sq mi
Total Area3.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access79.3%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities9
Restaurants10
Retail Stores16

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.2 min
Drive Alone79.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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