Waubay, SD

South Dakota

Waubay is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 425. Residents earn $36,635 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
425 Population 291/sq mi density
$36,635 Median Income $27,079 per capita
$105,000 Home Value $246,456 Zillow
$583 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$36,635 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$105,000 home value, $583/mo rent
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,635
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $105,000
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.2%
19% lower than US avg
Median Rent $583
50% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.6%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.1%
67% lower than US avg

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

People

Population425
Median Age51.7 yrs
Density291/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 59%

Economy

B+
Median Income$36,635
Per Capita$27,079
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty4.1%
County GDP$381M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$105,000
Rent$583
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$246,456

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain22.5 in/yr
Elevation1,843 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.2%
High School+95.2%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute16 min
Libraries2

Is Waubay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Waubay receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Waubay stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waubay is $36,635, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Waubay is $105,000, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $583 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

27.2% 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

Waubay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 22.5 inches, including 35.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Waubay has a population of 425 with a density of 291 people per square mile. The median age is 51.7 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (58.6%), with 37.9% Hispanic.

Population

425
Total Population
291
People / sq mi
51.7yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.9%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Waubay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Waubay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waubay is $36,635, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Waubay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,635
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,079
Avg Weekly Wage$863
IRS Avg AGI$83,519

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.1%
67% below US avg
Establishments (County)268
County GDP$381M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare20
Retail38
Manufacturing12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,400
54% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.8 min
Work from Home5.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Waubay is $105,000, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $583 (50% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $246,456.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$105,000
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$246,456

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$583
50% 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-Occupied66.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,400
54% above US avg
Effective Rate5.14%
In Waubay, 37.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 26.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.6%
17% above US avg
Diabetes12.3%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure31.7%
Asthma12.0%
COPD7.5%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.6%
Physical Inactivity26.7%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate83.0%
Checkup Rate74.0%
Premature Death6,776/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access45.7%
Healthcare Facilities20

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Waubay has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 22.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.1°F
18% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall22.5 inches
41% below US avg
Snowfall35.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,843 ft (562 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density291/sq mi
Coordinates45.3345°N, 97.3055°W
County FIPS46037
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 27.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (19% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64%
D 34.1%

Winner: Republican by 29.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.2%
19% below US avg
High School+95.2%
School Test Score5.45
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density291/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities20
Restaurants25
Retail Stores38

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.8 min
Work from Home5.6%

Nearby Cities

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