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Lake City, SD

South Dakota

Lake City is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 56. Residents earn $43,750 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
56 Population 255/sq mi density
$43,750 Median Income $23,636 per capita
$175,000 Home Value $288,984 Zillow
44°F Avg Temperature 276 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$43,750 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$175,000 home value
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,750
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $175,000
38% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.1%
23% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.4%
24% higher than US avg

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

People

Population56
Median Age34.5 yrs
Density255/mi²
Male / Female68% / 32%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans46.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$43,750
Per Capita$23,636
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty15.4%
County GDP$454M
Commute18 min

Housing

A
Home Value$175,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$288,984
Housing Units29
Rent Burden18.2%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (6°C)
AQI35 (Good)
Rain25.0 in/yr
Sunny Days276/yr
Elevation1,863 ft (568 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.1%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score6.16

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 37%
Commute18 min
Broadband20.0%
Libraries2

Is Lake City a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake City is $43,750, 42% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. The poverty rate of 15.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake City is $175,000, 38% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Lake City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 276 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 25.0 inches, including 48.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Lake City has a population of 56 with a density of 255 people per square mile. The median age is 34.5 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

56
Total Population
255
People / sq mi
34.5yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 67.9%
Female 32.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Lake City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake City is $43,750, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Lake City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,750
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,636
Avg Weekly Wage$1,060
IRS Avg AGI$77,004

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.4%
24% above US avg
Establishments (County)212
County GDP$454M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare12
Retail21
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,450
56% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.11%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.8 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake City is $175,000, 38% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $288,984.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$175,000
38% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$288,984

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden18.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$669
1 Bedroom$739
2 Bedrooms$970
3 Bedrooms$1,163
4 Bedrooms$1,627

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied90.0%
Housing Units29
Median Year Built1965

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,450
56% above US avg
Effective Rate3.11%
Lake City has an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 25.0 inches. The area enjoys 276 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average43.5°F
19% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall25.0 inches
34% below US avg
Snowfall48.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,863 ft (568 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density255/sq mi
Coordinates45.7248°N, 97.4140°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS46091
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24-point margin. 20.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.1%
D 37.1%

Winner: Republican by 24 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.1%
23% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score6.16
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density255/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access20.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities12
Restaurants10
Retail Stores21

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.8 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Britton, SD 1,117 pop · 17.0 mi Sisseton, SD 2,593 pop · 18.3 mi Webster, SD 1,823 pop · 27.3 mi Groton, SD 1,794 pop · 38.2 mi Oakes, ND 2,046 pop · 43.2 mi Wheaton, MN 1,334 pop · 44.5 mi Lisbon, ND 2,262 pop · 51.0 mi Milbank, SD 3,513 pop · 51.5 mi Wahpeton, ND 7,996 pop · 54.0 mi Aberdeen, SD 28,297 pop · 54.0 mi Breckenridge, MN 3,369 pop · 54.6 mi Ortonville, MN 1,968 pop · 55.4 mi Watertown, SD 22,859 pop · 57.7 mi Clark, SD 1,181 pop · 60.4 mi
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