Lake Madison, SD

South Dakota · Metropolitan Area

Lake Madison is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 885. Residents earn $116,648 per year, which is 55% above the national average.

4.7 /5.0
A+ Excellent
885 Population 188/sq mi density
$116,648 Median Income $95,163 per capita
$496,600 Home Value
$595 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.7 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$116,648 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$496,600 home value, $595/mo rent
A+
Education
4.9 / 5.0
48.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $116,648
55% higher than US avg
Home Value $496,600
76% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 48.5%
44% higher than US avg
Median Rent $595
49% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.0%
3% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population885
Median Age61.3 yrs
Density188/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

A+
Median Income$116,648
Per Capita$95,163
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$406M
Commute26 min

Housing

A
Home Value$496,600
Rent$595
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity31.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.4%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain26.4 in/yr
Elevation1,614 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+48.5%
High School+99.6%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 24%
Commute26 min

Is Lake Madison a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Madison receives an overall livability score of 4.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Lake Madison stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Madison is $116,648, which is significantly higher than the national average — 55% above $75,149. This places Lake Madison among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Madison is $496,600, making it a premium housing market at 76% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $595 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 48.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 99.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Madison has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.4 inches, including 36.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Lake Madison has a population of 885 with a density of 188 people per square mile. The median age is 61.3 years, 58% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80%), with 18.3% Hispanic.

Population

885
Total Population
188
People / sq mi
61.3yrs
Median Age
58% above US avg
4.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.9%
Female 48.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Madison vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.1%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.9%
86% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Madison vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Madison is $116,648, which is 55% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Lake Madison vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$116,648
55% above US avg
Per Capita Income$95,163
Avg Weekly Wage$973
IRS Avg AGI$85,058

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)246
County GDP$406M

Business (County)

Restaurants18
Healthcare18
Retail22
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,817
38% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.97%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.6 min
Work from Home27.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Madison is $496,600, 76% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $595 (49% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$496,600
76% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$595
49% 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-Occupied88.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,817
38% above US avg
Effective Rate0.97%
In Lake Madison, 31.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 20.4% report depression. 18.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.0%
3% below US avg
Diabetes7.8%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure27.4%
Asthma9.6%
COPD4.5%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.4%
Physical Inactivity18.1%
Depression20.4%
Mental Distress14.4%
Physical Distress9.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.9%
Checkup Rate74.1%
Premature Death6,584/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access30.8%
Healthcare Facilities18

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Lake Madison has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.4 inches
31% below US avg
Snowfall36.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,614 ft (492 m)
Area4.7 sq mi (12.2 km²)
Population Density188/sq mi
Coordinates43.9551°N, 97.0266°W
County FIPS46087
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 48.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 49.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.5%
D 24.2%

Winner: Republican by 49.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+48.5%
44% above US avg
High School+99.6%
School Test Score5.45
A+ Education Grade (4.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density188/sq mi
Total Area4.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants18
Retail Stores22

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.6 min
Work from Home27.6%

Nearby Cities

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