Porcupine, SD

South Dakota

Porcupine is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 549. Residents earn $20,256 per year, which is 73% below the national average.

1.9 /5.0
D Poor
549 Population 57/sq mi density
$20,256 Median Income $5,851 per capita
N/A Home Value
N/A Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
D
Overall
1.9 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$20,256 median income, 0.0% unemployment
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $20,256
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.0%
79% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 49.9%
55% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 72.0%
481% higher than US avg

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

People

Population549
Median Age32.5 yrs
Density57/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 2%

Economy

C
Median Income$20,256
Per Capita$5,851
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty72.0%
County GDP$433M
Commute23 min

Housing

Home ValueN/A
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity49.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.2%
Heart Disease13.2%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI35 (Good)
Elevation3,287 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.0%
High School+61.1%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 13% / D 84%
Commute23 min
Libraries9

Is Porcupine a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Porcupine receives an overall livability score of 1.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Key strengths include low unemployment. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Porcupine faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Porcupine is $20,256, 73% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 72.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Education

7.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 61.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Porcupine experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Porcupine has a population of 549 with a density of 57 people per square mile. The median age is 32.5 years, 16% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (90%), with 2% White.

Population

549
Total Population
57
People / sq mi
32.5yrs
Median Age
16% below US avg
9.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.8%
Female 43.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Porcupine vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only77.2%
2% below US avg
Spanish22.8%
70% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Porcupine vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Porcupine is $20,256, which is 73% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 72.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Porcupine vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$20,256
73% below US avg
Per Capita Income$5,851
Avg Weekly Wage$1,030
IRS Avg AGI$40,606

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate72.0%
481% above US avg
Establishments (County)136
County GDP$433M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare9
Retail12

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.1 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

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-Occupied83.4%

Property Tax

In Porcupine, 49.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.2% report depression. 46.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity49.9%
55% above US avg
Diabetes27.0%
Heart Disease13.2%
High Blood Pressure44.9%
Asthma15.7%
COPD17.9%
Stroke8.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.6%
Physical Inactivity46.8%
Depression24.2%
Mental Distress26.3%
Physical Distress26.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate73.1%
Checkup Rate72.4%
Premature Death40,417/100K

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access1.9%
Healthcare Facilities9

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Porcupine has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,287 ft (1,002 m)
Area9.6 sq mi (24.8 km²)
Population Density57/sq mi
Coordinates43.2685°N, 102.3353°W
County FIPS46102
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 7.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (79% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 70.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 13.3%
D 83.8%

Winner: Democrat by 70.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.0%
79% below US avg
High School+61.1%
School Test Score5.45
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density57/sq mi
Total Area9.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities9
Restaurants10
Retail Stores12

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.1 min
Work from Home0.0%

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