Selby, SD

South Dakota

Selby is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 642. Residents earn $40,882 per year, which is 46% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
642 Population 904/sq mi density
$40,882 Median Income $29,241 per capita
$104,800 Home Value $122,187 Zillow
$532 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$40,882 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,800 home value, $532/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,882
46% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,800
63% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.6%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $532
54% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.9%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.0%
68% lower than US avg

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

People

Population642
Median Age41.7 yrs
Density904/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 85%
Veterans9.8%

Economy

B
Median Income$40,882
Per Capita$29,241
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty4.0%
County GDP$319M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,800
Rent$532
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$122,187
Rent Burden27.5%

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property460/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary153/100K

Health

Obesity34.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain19.2 in/yr
Elevation1,895 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.6%
High School+76.4%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute27 min
Broadband82.8%
Libraries1

Is Selby a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Selby receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Selby offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Selby is $40,882, 46% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Selby is $104,800, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $532 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Selby 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 460 per 100,000, 77% below the national average.

Education

13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Selby has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.2 inches, including 33.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Selby has a population of 642 with a density of 904 people per square mile. The median age is 41.7 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.4%), with 10.4% Hispanic, 2.3% Black.

Population

642
Total Population
904
People / sq mi
41.7yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%
Female 49.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Selby vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.6%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.4%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Selby vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Selby is $40,882, which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Selby vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,882
46% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,241
Avg Weekly Wage$899
IRS Avg AGI$78,903

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.0%
68% below US avg
Establishments (County)252
County GDP$319M

Business (County)

Restaurants31
Healthcare15
Retail47
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,575
2% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.41%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.3 min
Drive Alone75.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Selby is $104,800, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $532 (54% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $122,187.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,800
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$122,187

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$532
54% below US avg
Rent Burden27.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,575
2% above US avg
Effective Rate3.41%
In Selby, 34.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.2% report depression. 24.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.9%
9% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure29.6%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.4%
Physical Inactivity24.0%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress12.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.7%
Checkup Rate73.7%
Premature Death9,035/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access69.0%
Healthcare Facilities15
Selby has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 460 per 100,000 (77% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Selby 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 Property460.1/100K
77% below US avg
Burglary153.4/100K
Theft306.8/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Selby has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 19.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average43.7°F
19% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall19.2 inches
49% below US avg
Snowfall33.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,895 ft (578 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density904/sq mi
Coordinates45.5057°N, 100.0329°W
County FIPS46129
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 59.2-point margin. 82.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.7%
D 19.5%

Winner: Republican by 59.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.6%
60% below US avg
High School+76.4%
School Test Score5.45
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density904/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.8%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities15
Restaurants31
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.3 min
Drive Alone75.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.2%

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