Mountain Plains, SD

South Dakota

Mountain Plains is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 412. Residents earn $166,641 per year, which is 122% above the national average.

4.6 /5.0
A+ Excellent
412 Population 258/sq mi density
$166,641 Median Income $132,536 per capita
$606,100 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.6 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$166,641 median income, 5.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$606,100 home value
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
44.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $166,641
122% higher than US avg
Home Value $606,100
115% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 44.4%
32% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.9%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.6%
56% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population412
Median Age62.6 yrs
Density258/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A+
Median Income$166,641
Per Capita$132,536
Unemployment5.6%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$1,848M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$606,100
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain21.4 in/yr
Elevation4,292 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.4%
High School+96.2%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 33%
Commute18 min
Libraries4

Is Mountain Plains a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mountain Plains receives an overall livability score of 4.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Mountain Plains stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mountain Plains is $166,641, which is significantly higher than the national average — 122% above $75,149. This places Mountain Plains among higher-income communities. The unemployment rate of 5.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mountain Plains is $606,100, making it a premium housing market at 115% above the U.S. median of $281,900. A price-to-income ratio of 3.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Mountain Plains experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 21.4 inches, including 70.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Mountain Plains has a population of 412 with a density of 258 people per square mile. The median age is 62.6 years, 61% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.3%).

Population

412
Total Population
258
People / sq mi
62.6yrs
Median Age
61% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Mountain Plains vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Mountain Plains vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mountain Plains is $166,641, which is 122% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Mountain Plains vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$166,641
122% above US avg
Per Capita Income$132,536
Avg Weekly Wage$965
IRS Avg AGI$93,246

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.6%
56% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,630
County GDP$1,848M

Business (County)

Restaurants155
Healthcare98
Retail158
Manufacturing35

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,013
72% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.99%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.5 min
Work from Home4.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Mountain Plains is $606,100, 115% above the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$606,100
115% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$298
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio93.5%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,013
72% above US avg
Effective Rate0.99%
In Mountain Plains, 33.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 20.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Mountain Plains vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.9%
6% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure27.6%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.1%
Physical Inactivity20.6%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress15.6%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate74.0%
Checkup Rate72.2%
Premature Death6,603/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access92.2%
Healthcare Facilities98

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Mountain Plains has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 21.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall21.4 inches
44% below US avg
Snowfall70.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,292 ft (1,308 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density258/sq mi
Coordinates44.4670°N, 103.8636°W
County FIPS46081
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 44.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.3%
D 32.9%

Winner: Republican by 31.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.4%
32% above US avg
High School+96.2%
School Test Score5.45
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density258/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities98
Restaurants155
Retail Stores158

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.5 min
Work from Home4.5%

Nearby Cities

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