Vale, SD

South Dakota

Vale is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 90. Residents earn $23,661 per year, which is 69% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
90 Population 60/sq mi density
$23,661 Median Income $21,202 per capita
$58,900 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
46°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
$23,661 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$58,900 home value
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $23,661
69% lower than US avg
Home Value $58,900
79% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.8%
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.6%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.1%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population90
Median Age73.5 yrs
Density60/mi²
Male / Female29% / 71%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Veterans89.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$23,661
Per Capita$21,202
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty9.1%
County GDP$475M

Housing

A+
Home Value$58,900
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain16.7 in/yr
Elevation2,772 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.8%
High School+95.2%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
CommuteN/A
Broadband56.0%
Libraries2

Is Vale a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Vale is $23,661, 69% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 9.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Vale is $58,900, 79% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

23.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Vale experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.7 inches, including 39.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Vale has a population of 90 with a density of 60 people per square mile. The median age is 73.5 years, 89% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90%).

Population

90
Total Population
60
People / sq mi
73.5yrs
Median Age
89% above US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 28.9%
Female 71.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Vale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Vale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Vale is $23,661, which is 69% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income: Vale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$23,661
69% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,202
Avg Weekly Wage$881
IRS Avg AGI$65,565

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.1%
27% below US avg
Establishments (County)474
County GDP$475M

Business (County)

Restaurants37
Healthcare28
Retail66
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,540
30% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.71%

Commute & Transportation

Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Vale is $58,900, 79% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$58,900
79% below US avg

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-Occupied100.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,540
30% above US avg
Effective Rate7.71%
In Vale, 36.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.2% report depression. 27.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.6%
14% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.4%
COPD7.2%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity27.8%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress13.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate76.3%
Checkup Rate72.4%
Premature Death5,772/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access80.3%
Healthcare Facilities28

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Vale has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 16.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average45.7°F
15% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall16.7 inches
56% below US avg
Snowfall39.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,772 ft (845 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density60/sq mi
Coordinates44.6183°N, 103.3987°W
County FIPS46019
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 23.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.6-point margin. 56.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.2%
D 18.5%

Winner: Republican by 60.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.8%
29% below US avg
High School+95.2%
School Test Score5.45
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density60/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access56.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities28
Restaurants37
Retail Stores66

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Vale with another city: