Hill City, SD

South Dakota · Metropolitan Area

Hill City is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 699. Residents earn $85,714 per year, which is 14% above the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
699 Population 534/sq mi density
$85,714 Median Income $30,809 per capita
$246,700 Home Value $456,307 Zillow
$933 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$85,714 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$246,700 home value, $933/mo rent
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $85,714
14% higher than US avg
Home Value $246,700
12% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.1%
20% lower than US avg
Median Rent $933
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.2%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.1%
91% lower than US avg

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

People

Population699
Median Age34.9 yrs
Density534/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 79%

Economy

A+
Median Income$85,714
Per Capita$30,809
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty1.1%
County GDP$398M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$246,700
Rent$933
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$456,307

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.7%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain22.4 in/yr
Elevation5,082 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.1%
High School+95.2%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute19 min
Libraries2

Is Hill City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Hill City receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Hill City stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Hill City is $85,714, 14% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Hill City is $246,700, 12% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $933 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

27.1% 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

Hill City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 22.4 inches, including 66.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Hill City has a population of 699 with a density of 534 people per square mile. The median age is 34.9 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79%), with 13.3% Hispanic.

Population

699
Total Population
534
People / sq mi
34.9yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.9%
Female 44.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Hill City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Hill City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Hill City is $85,714, which is 14% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Hill City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$85,714
14% above US avg
Per Capita Income$30,809
Avg Weekly Wage$913
IRS Avg AGI$84,580

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.1%
91% below US avg
Establishments (County)421
County GDP$398M

Business (County)

Restaurants67
Healthcare18
Retail31
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,846
96% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.3 min
Work from Home14.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Hill City is $246,700, 12% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $933 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $456,307.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$246,700
12% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$456,307

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$317
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio97.9%
Price Drops100.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$933
20% 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-Occupied81.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,846
96% above US avg
Effective Rate2.78%
In Hill City, 32.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 20.7% report depression. 20.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Hill City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.2%
0% below US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure27.7%
Asthma9.8%
COPD4.5%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.9%
Physical Inactivity20.0%
Depression20.7%
Mental Distress14.6%
Physical Distress10.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate76.5%
Checkup Rate74.1%
Premature Death5,543/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access77.6%
Healthcare Facilities18

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Hill City has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 22.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average43.9°F
19% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall22.4 inches
41% below US avg
Snowfall66.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation5,082 ft (1,549 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²)
Population Density534/sq mi
Coordinates43.9318°N, 103.5687°W
County FIPS46033
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 27.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (20% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.9%
D 26.1%

Winner: Republican by 45.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.1%
20% below US avg
High School+95.2%
School Test Score5.45
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density534/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants67
Retail Stores31

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.3 min
Work from Home14.0%

Nearby Cities

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