Wessington Springs, SD

South Dakota

Wessington Springs is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 747. Residents earn $46,750 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
747 Population 415/sq mi density
$46,750 Median Income $32,145 per capita
$96,000 Home Value $228,113 Zillow
$461 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$46,750 median income, 0.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$96,000 home value, $461/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,750
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $96,000
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.7%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $461
60% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.9%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.2%
94% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.4%
89% lower than US avg

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

People

Population747
Median Age60.1 yrs
Density415/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

B+
Median Income$46,750
Per Capita$32,145
Unemployment0.2%
Poverty1.4%
County GDP$172M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$96,000
Rent$461
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$228,113

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.7%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain25.7 in/yr
Elevation1,659 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.7%
High School+92.0%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute14 min
Libraries1

Is Wessington Springs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wessington Springs receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Wessington Springs offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wessington Springs is $46,750, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.2%. Only 1.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wessington Springs is $96,000, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $461 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Wessington Springs has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 25.7 inches, including 44.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Wessington Springs has a population of 747 with a density of 415 people per square mile. The median age is 60.1 years, 54% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.8%), with 6.3% Hispanic.

Population

747
Total Population
415
People / sq mi
60.1yrs
Median Age
54% above US avg
1.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.2%
Female 54.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Wessington Springs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wessington Springs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wessington Springs is $46,750, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Wessington Springs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,750
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,145
Avg Weekly Wage$915
IRS Avg AGI$60,554

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.2%
94% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.4%
89% below US avg
Establishments (County)106
County GDP$172M

Business (County)

Restaurants9
Healthcare6
Retail10

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.3 min
Work from Home14.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Wessington Springs is $96,000, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $461 (60% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $228,113.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$96,000
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$228,113

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$461
60% 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-Occupied77.4%

Property Tax

In Wessington Springs, 35.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.7% report depression. 22.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Wessington Springs vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.9%
12% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure28.6%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.8%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.0%
Physical Inactivity22.9%
Depression21.7%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress11.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.2%
Checkup Rate73.2%

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access68.3%
Healthcare Facilities6

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Wessington Springs has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 25.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average45.4°F
16% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall25.7 inches
32% below US avg
Snowfall44.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,659 ft (506 m)
Area1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²)
Population Density415/sq mi
Coordinates44.0805°N, 98.5712°W
County FIPS46073
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.9%
D 27.6%

Winner: Republican by 43.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.7%
30% below US avg
High School+92.0%
School Test Score5.45
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density415/sq mi
Total Area1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities6
Restaurants9
Retail Stores10

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.3 min
Work from Home14.0%

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