Lake Norden, SD

South Dakota

Lake Norden is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 769. Residents earn $71,923 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
769 Population 884/sq mi density
$71,923 Median Income $30,122 per capita
$201,400 Home Value
$956 Median Rent
43°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$71,923 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$201,400 home value, $956/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,923
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $201,400
29% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.5%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent $956
18% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.6%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.3%
81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population769
Median Age24.6 yrs
Density884/mi²
Male / Female56% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 81%

Economy

A
Median Income$71,923
Per Capita$30,122
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty2.3%
County GDP$425M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$201,400
Rent$956
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain24.3 in/yr
Elevation1,688 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.5%
High School+88.5%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute22 min

Is Lake Norden a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Norden receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Lake Norden 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 Norden is $71,923, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. Only 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Norden is $201,400, 29% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $956 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

20.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Norden has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Lake Norden has a population of 769 with a density of 884 people per square mile. The median age is 24.6 years, 37% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81.1%).

Population

769
Total Population
884
People / sq mi
24.6yrs
Median Age
37% below US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.5%
Female 44.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Norden vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.4%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.6%
28% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Norden vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Norden is $71,923, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Lake Norden vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,923
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,122
Avg Weekly Wage$1,068
IRS Avg AGI$81,032

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.3%
81% below US avg
Establishments (County)279
County GDP$425M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare9
Retail23
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,783
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.5 min
Work from Home3.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Norden is $201,400, 29% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $956 (18% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$201,400
29% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$956
18% 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-Occupied65.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,783
37% above US avg
Effective Rate2.37%
In Lake Norden, 35.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.2% report depression. 24.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.6%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma10.3%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity24.1%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress11.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.4%
Checkup Rate73.0%
Premature Death6,695/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access22.4%
Healthcare Facilities9

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Lake Norden has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 24.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average42.7°F
21% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall24.3 inches
36% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,688 ft (515 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density884/sq mi
Coordinates44.5801°N, 97.2116°W
County FIPS46057
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 20.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.4%
D 18.9%

Winner: Republican by 60.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.5%
39% below US avg
High School+88.5%
School Test Score5.45
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density884/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Healthcare Facilities9
Restaurants10
Retail Stores23

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.5 min
Work from Home3.0%

Nearby Cities

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