Lower Brule, SD

South Dakota

Lower Brule is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 777. Residents earn $31,667 per year, which is 58% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
777 Population 2,158/sq mi density
$31,667 Median Income $11,057 per capita
$22,500 Home Value
$415 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$31,667 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$22,500 home value, $415/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $31,667
58% lower than US avg
Home Value $22,500
92% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.0%
64% lower than US avg
Median Rent $415
64% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 51.3%
60% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 59.0%
376% higher than US avg

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

People

Population777
Median Age22.0 yrs
Density2,158/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 7%

Economy

C
Median Income$31,667
Per Capita$11,057
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty59.0%
County GDP$95M
Commute10 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$22,500
Rent$415
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity51.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease11.0%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain18.6 in/yr
Elevation1,476 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.0%
High School+83.6%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 62%
Commute10 min

Is Lower Brule a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lower Brule receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Lower Brule offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lower Brule is $31,667, 58% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 59.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 10 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lower Brule is $22,500, 92% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $415 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Lower Brule has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 18.6 inches, including 40.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Lower Brule has a population of 777 with a density of 2,158 people per square mile. The median age is 22.0 years, 43% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (91.8%), with 6.8% White.

Population

777
Total Population
2,158
People / sq mi
22.0yrs
Median Age
43% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.8%
Female 47.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Lower Brule vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.5%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lower Brule vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lower Brule is $31,667, which is 58% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 59.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 10 minutes.

Income: Lower Brule vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$31,667
58% below US avg
Per Capita Income$11,057
Avg Weekly Wage$980
IRS Avg AGI$36,268

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate59.0%
376% above US avg
Establishments (County)27
County GDP$95M

Business (County)

Healthcare3
Retail3

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time9.7 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Lower Brule is $22,500, 92% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $415 (64% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$22,500
92% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$415
64% 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-Occupied24.2%

Property Tax

In Lower Brule, 51.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.4% report depression. 45.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lower Brule vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity51.3%
60% above US avg
Diabetes23.5%
Heart Disease11.0%
High Blood Pressure42.6%
Asthma15.4%
COPD14.7%
Stroke7.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.2%
Physical Inactivity45.7%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress25.1%
Physical Distress24.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate62.9%
Checkup Rate73.9%
Premature Death46,418/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.2/10
Healthcare Facilities3

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Lower Brule has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 18.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average44.3°F
18% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall18.6 inches
51% below US avg
Snowfall40.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,476 ft (450 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density2,158/sq mi
Coordinates44.0741°N, 99.5838°W
County FIPS46017
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 27.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 35.2%
D 62.5%

Winner: Democrat by 27.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.0%
64% below US avg
High School+83.6%
School Test Score5.45
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density2,158/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Healthcare Facilities3
Retail Stores3

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute9.7 min
Work from Home6.0%

Nearby Cities

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