Leola, SD

South Dakota

Leola is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 363. Residents earn $76,458 per year, which is 2% above the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
363 Population 491/sq mi density
$76,458 Median Income $38,088 per capita
$66,500 Home Value
$839 Median Rent
42°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$76,458 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$66,500 home value, $839/mo rent
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,458
2% higher than US avg
Home Value $66,500
76% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.5%
15% lower than US avg
Median Rent $839
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.2%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.0%
84% lower than US avg

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

People

Population363
Median Age43.4 yrs
Density491/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 100%

Economy

A+
Median Income$76,458
Per Capita$38,088
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty2.0%
County GDP$3,155M
Commute40 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$66,500
Rent$839
OwnershipN/A

Crime

Violent0/100K
Property0/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

Obesity36.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain21.8 in/yr
Elevation1,588 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.5%
High School+89.5%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute40 min
Libraries3

Is Leola a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Leola receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Leola stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Leola is $76,458, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 2.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 40 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Leola is $66,500, 76% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $839 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Leola is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 0 per 100,000, 100% below the national average.

Education

28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Leola has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 21.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Leola has a population of 363 with a density of 491 people per square mile. The median age is 43.4 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99.7%).

Population

363
Total Population
491
People / sq mi
43.4yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.7%
Female 43.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Leola vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Leola vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Leola is $76,458, which is 2% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 40 minutes.

Income: Leola vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,458
2% above US avg
Per Capita Income$38,088
Avg Weekly Wage$1,047
IRS Avg AGI$88,624

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.0%
84% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,522
County GDP$3,155M

Business (County)

Restaurants102
Healthcare124
Retail163
Manufacturing42

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,536
87% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate9.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time40.2 min
Work from Home3.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Leola is $66,500, 76% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $839 (28% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$66,500
76% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$839
28% 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-Occupied82.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,536
87% above US avg
Effective Rate9.83%
In Leola, 36.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.2% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Leola vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.2%
13% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure30.0%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.8%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress13.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.9%
Checkup Rate72.6%
Premature Death6,876/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access84.2%
Healthcare Facilities124
Leola has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 0 per 100,000 (100% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Leola has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 21.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average42.2°F
22% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall21.8 inches
43% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,588 ft (484 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density491/sq mi
Coordinates45.7211°N, 98.9385°W
County FIPS46013
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (15% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.5%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 26.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.5%
15% below US avg
High School+89.5%
School Test Score5.45
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density491/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities124
Restaurants102
Retail Stores163

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute40.2 min
Work from Home3.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Leola with another city: