Lake Preston, SD

South Dakota

Lake Preston is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 539. Residents earn $60,917 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
539 Population 709/sq mi density
$60,917 Median Income $36,489 per capita
$139,100 Home Value $245,929 Zillow
$533 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$60,917 median income, 0.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$139,100 home value, $533/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,917
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $139,100
51% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.6%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $533
54% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.7%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.2%
94% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.6%
39% lower than US avg

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

People

Population539
Median Age50.0 yrs
Density709/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,917
Per Capita$36,489
Unemployment0.2%
Poverty7.6%
County GDP$370M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$139,100
Rent$533
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$245,929

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain26.2 in/yr
Elevation1,720 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.6%
High School+87.6%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 27%
Commute21 min
Libraries2

Is Lake Preston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Preston receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Lake Preston offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Preston is $60,917, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.2%. Only 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Preston is $139,100, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $533 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Preston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Lake Preston has a population of 539 with a density of 709 people per square mile. The median age is 50.0 years, 29% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81.8%), with 4.5% Hispanic.

Population

539
Total Population
709
People / sq mi
50.0yrs
Median Age
29% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.6%
Female 53.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Preston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.8%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.2%
61% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Preston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Preston is $60,917, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Lake Preston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,917
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,489
Avg Weekly Wage$920
IRS Avg AGI$75,392

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.2%
94% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.6%
39% below US avg
Establishments (County)265
County GDP$370M

Business (County)

Restaurants9
Healthcare17
Retail23
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,767
36% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.43%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.0 min
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Preston is $139,100, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $533 (54% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $245,929.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$139,100
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$245,929

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$533
54% 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-Occupied66.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,767
36% above US avg
Effective Rate3.43%
In Lake Preston, 36.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 23.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.7%
14% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure28.9%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.9%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity23.0%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Checkup Rate72.9%
Premature Death4,945/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access25.2%
Healthcare Facilities17

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Lake Preston has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average15°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.2 inches
31% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,720 ft (524 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density709/sq mi
Coordinates44.3617°N, 97.3760°W
County FIPS46077
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71%
D 27.1%

Winner: Republican by 43.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.6%
60% below US avg
High School+87.6%
School Test Score5.45
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density709/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants9
Retail Stores23

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.0 min
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

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