Mission, SD

South Dakota

Mission is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 1,380. Residents earn $34,000 per year, which is 55% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,380 Population 2,339/sq mi density
$34,000 Median Income $15,357 per capita
$56,900 Home Value
$631 Median Rent 32.3% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Economy
1.3 / 5.0
$34,000 median income, 11.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$56,900 home value, $631/mo rent
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $34,000
55% lower than US avg
Home Value $56,900
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.6%
63% lower than US avg
Median Rent $631
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 49.2%
53% higher than US avg
Unemployment 11.8%
228% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 45.8%
269% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,380
Median Age22.1 yrs
Density2,339/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 11%

Economy

F
Median Income$34,000
Per Capita$15,357
Unemployment11.8%
Poverty45.8%
County GDP$313M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$56,900
Rent$631
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden32.3%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity49.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.6%
Heart Disease10.1%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain20.9 in/yr
Elevation2,579 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.6%
High School+81.3%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 23% / D 74%
Commute16 min
Libraries1

Is Mission a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mission receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Mission has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mission is $34,000, 55% below the national average of $75,149. At 11.8%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 45.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mission is $56,900, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $631 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Mission experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 20.9 inches, including 41.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Mission has a population of 1,380 with a density of 2,339 people per square mile. The median age is 22.1 years, 43% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (85.7%), with 11.2% White.

Population

1,380
Total Population
2,339
People / sq mi
22.1yrs
Median Age
43% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Mission vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.1%
7% above US avg
Spanish15.9%
19% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Mission vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mission is $34,000, which is 55% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 11.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 45.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Mission vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$34,000
55% below US avg
Per Capita Income$15,357
Avg Weekly Wage$949
IRS Avg AGI$39,367

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment11.8%
228% above US avg
Poverty Rate45.8%
269% above US avg
Establishments (County)108
County GDP$313M

Business (County)

Healthcare7
Retail13

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.6 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Mission is $56,900, 80% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $631 (46% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$56,900
80% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$631
46% below US avg
Rent Burden32.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$691
1 Bedroom$784
2 Bedrooms$990
3 Bedrooms$1,295
4 Bedrooms$1,540

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied46.7%

Property Tax

In Mission, 49.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.6% report depression. 39.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity49.2%
53% above US avg
Diabetes21.2%
Heart Disease10.1%
High Blood Pressure40.1%
Asthma15.0%
COPD12.8%
Stroke6.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.8%
Physical Inactivity39.3%
Depression23.6%
Mental Distress23.2%
Physical Distress21.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate80.6%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death34,850/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.3/10
Exercise Access32.4%
Healthcare Facilities7

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Mission has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 20.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall20.9 inches
45% below US avg
Snowfall41.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,579 ft (786 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density2,339/sq mi
Coordinates43.3063°N, 100.6609°W
County FIPS46121
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 12.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 50.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 23.4%
D 73.9%

Winner: Democrat by 50.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.6%
63% below US avg
High School+81.3%
School Test Score5.45
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density2,339/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities7
Retail Stores13

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.6 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Mission with another city: