Timber Lake, SD

South Dakota

Timber Lake is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 677. Residents earn $58,000 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
677 Population 1,110/sq mi density
$58,000 Median Income $26,510 per capita
$83,600 Home Value
$567 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$58,000 median income, 4.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$83,600 home value, $567/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,000
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $83,600
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.9%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $567
51% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.1%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.8%
27% higher than US avg

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

People

Population677
Median Age27.4 yrs
Density1,110/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 47%

Economy

B
Median Income$58,000
Per Capita$26,510
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty15.8%
County GDP$121M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$83,600
Rent$567
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.7%
Heart Disease7.7%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain19.4 in/yr
Elevation2,166 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.9%
High School+93.2%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 55% / D 43%
Commute26 min

Is Timber Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Timber Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Timber Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Timber Lake is $58,000, 23% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Timber Lake is $83,600, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $567 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Timber Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.4 inches, including 41.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Timber Lake has a population of 677 with a density of 1,110 people per square mile. The median age is 27.4 years, 30% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (49.8%), with 46.5% White.

Population

677
Total Population
1,110
People / sq mi
27.4yrs
Median Age
30% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

Timber Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.0%
20% above US avg
Spanish6.0%
55% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Timber Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Timber Lake is $58,000, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Timber Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,000
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,510
Avg Weekly Wage$927
IRS Avg AGI$43,414

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.8%
27% above US avg
Establishments (County)68
County GDP$121M

Business (County)

Healthcare4
Retail4

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.8 min
Work from Home11.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Timber Lake is $83,600, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $567 (51% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$83,600
70% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$567
51% 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-Occupied60.6%

Property Tax

In Timber Lake, 42.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.7% report depression. 33.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Timber Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.1%
31% above US avg
Diabetes15.9%
Heart Disease7.7%
High Blood Pressure36.8%
Asthma12.9%
COPD9.3%
Stroke4.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity33.7%
Depression21.7%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress16.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate80.0%
Checkup Rate72.5%
Premature Death37,698/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.2/10
Exercise Access2.7%
Healthcare Facilities4

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Timber Lake has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 19.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average45.3°F
16% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall19.4 inches
49% below US avg
Snowfall41.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,166 ft (660 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density1,110/sq mi
Coordinates45.4294°N, 101.0714°W
County FIPS46031
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 11.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.2%
D 43.3%

Winner: Republican by 11.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.9%
29% below US avg
High School+93.2%
School Test Score5.45
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,110/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Healthcare Facilities4
Retail Stores4

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.8 min
Work from Home11.7%

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