Wolsey, SD

South Dakota

Wolsey is a small town in South Dakota with a population of 666. Residents earn $56,833 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
666 Population 293/sq mi density
$56,833 Median Income $29,708 per capita
$88,000 Home Value
$713 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$56,833 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$88,000 home value, $713/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,833
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $88,000
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.4%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent $713
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.2%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.3%
81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population666
Median Age35.0 yrs
Density293/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

A
Median Income$56,833
Per Capita$29,708
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty2.3%
County GDP$1,236M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$88,000
Rent$713
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.0%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain23.3 in/yr
Elevation1,342 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.4%
High School+76.7%
School Score5.45

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute17 min
Libraries1

Is Wolsey a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wolsey 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. Wolsey offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wolsey is $56,833, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wolsey is $88,000, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $713 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

20.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Wolsey experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 23.3 inches, including 44.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Wolsey has a population of 666 with a density of 293 people per square mile. The median age is 35.0 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.3%).

Population

666
Total Population
293
People / sq mi
35.0yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.7%
Female 47.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Wolsey vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.7%
16% above US avg
Spanish9.3%
31% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wolsey vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wolsey is $56,833, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Wolsey vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,833
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,708
Avg Weekly Wage$971
IRS Avg AGI$68,903

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.3%
81% below US avg
Establishments (County)690
County GDP$1,236M

Business (County)

Restaurants44
Healthcare60
Retail80
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,541
30% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.1 min
Work from Home1.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Wolsey is $88,000, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $713 (39% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$88,000
69% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$713
39% 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-Occupied72.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,541
30% above US avg
Effective Rate5.16%
In Wolsey, 35.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.0% report depression. 24.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.2%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure29.0%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.2%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.5%
Physical Inactivity24.1%
Depression23.0%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.0%
Checkup Rate73.1%
Premature Death7,497/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access80.0%
Healthcare Facilities60

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Wolsey has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 23.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average45.9°F
15% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall23.3 inches
39% below US avg
Snowfall44.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,342 ft (409 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²)
Population Density293/sq mi
Coordinates44.4108°N, 98.4739°W
County FIPS46005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 20.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 40.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.8%
D 28.8%

Winner: Republican by 40.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.4%
39% below US avg
High School+76.7%
School Test Score5.45
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density293/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities60
Restaurants44
Retail Stores80

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.1 min
Work from Home1.6%

Nearby Cities

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