At a Glance
Median Income
$80,188
$51,795 per capita
Home Value
$229,500
Zillow: $474,229
Median Rent
$926/mo
23.0% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
30.1%
93.7% high school+
Unemployment
3.2%
4.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
32.8%
13.6% smoking rate
How Custer Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Custer's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Custer a Good Place to Live?
A
4.3 / 5.0 - Great
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Custer residents earn a median household income of $80,188 , which is 7% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $51,795. The unemployment rate stands at 3.2% (11% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 421 business establishments, including 67 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Custer is $229,500 , 19% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $474,229. Median rent is $926/month, with 23.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 88.6 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1970.
Education
30.1% of adults in Custer hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(11% below the national average).
93.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.3/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Custer has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C).
Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.
Data Overview
People
Population2,148
Median Age54.9 yrs
Density839/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Foreign Born2.6%
Veterans14.1%
Economy
A
Median Income$80,188
Per Capita$51,795
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty4.5%
County GDP$398M
Avg Weekly Wage$913
Housing
A+
Home Value$229,500
Rent$926
Ownership66.0%
Zillow$474,229
Housing Units1,180
Rent Burden23.0%
Health
Obesity32.8%
Diabetes8.4%
Smoking13.6%
Heart Disease4.9%
Premature Death5,543/100K
Climate
Avg Temp43°F
Rain19.8 in/yr
AQI44 (Good)
Elevation5,316 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+30.1%
High School+93.7%
Graduate+9.1%
School Score5.3/10
Community
2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute21 min
Broadband87.5%
Internet Speed36 Mbps
EV Stations9
Libraries2
Did You Know?
Custer was founded in 1875.
The median home in Custer was built in 1970.
The nearest airport is Rapid City Regional (33 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.446 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
22.5% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 1 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.