2023 Best Places to Live in South Dakota

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 4.07 out of 5  30 reviews

Current Resident: It is a tight-knit community that is vastly growing. We are always improving upon our community. Being its streets, neighborhoods, adding in parks, and schools. We have an awsome local farmers market, the best public school in Sioux Falls with great sports. It seems like we are getting new business in town every year. The musicals are phenomenal at the high school. I love how we organize local rummage sales twice a year, 5k races, parades, and other special events. There is nothing conserving Brandon that I would fret about and the safety is very good.... Read 30 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 10,745

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 4 out of 5  40 reviews

Current Resident: Vermillion is a college town, but is a great place to grow up! I’ve got to experience the benefits of being in a university town as well as a small town. I’ve experienced small town benefits like a tight-knit community, but also had the option to take advantage of some cool stuff the University offers. I’ve played football games at the dome in town, eaten at the student center, and got to meet some cool people I wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t a college town. Vermillion is a great place to live.... Read 40 reviews

• grade A

• grade B

• Population 11,506

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.82 out of 5  111 reviews

Current Resident: Brookings is an amazing place to live! Good schools, community, activities, etc. Very happy about the place!... Read 111 reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• Population 23,432

• City in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  515 reviews

Current Resident: Sioux Falls, while in South Dakota, doesn't feel like it is in the state. I mean that in the best way possible! As a college town and growing city, it feels like it is just beginning its process into becoming a mini Minneapolis, which I'm glad to be in on the journey. The people here are kind (even if there are some pretty awful drivers), the food options keep getting better every year, and the vibes are much better than anywhere else in South Dakota. Sioux Falls has certainly been a joy.... Read 515 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 189,258

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 4.6 out of 5  10 reviews

Current Resident: The town of Tea has been an amazing experience from living here. This community is very close, friendly, respectful, and it is truly a family here in this town. We all support our small local businesses, the amazing school and the education it gives students, including myself, and the town especially loves our sports!... Read 10 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 5,535

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 4 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: Milbank is a small town in northeastern South Dakota. Even before I moved here 3 years ago, every time I mentioned moving here the response was the same, "Oh, you'll like Milbank." That has been quite true. Milbank has a lot to offer for a small town, including a variety of restaurants; a great community center that includes a full gym, pool, walking track, fitness classes, and personal training; great schools, and friendly people.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B minus

• Population 3,488

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.71 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: Mobridge is a beautiful town. It is a lakeside town, so there is more to do. Fishing, camping, walking alongside the lake, and boat tours. There are activities for families throughout the year (i.e. arts in the park, rodeo, town fair, beef and fun day...). The people are friendly, helpful and brought up with small town values. The only thing I would change is that there are not enough businesses, unfortunately.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 3,215

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.73 out of 5  62 reviews

Current Resident: Growing up, I always enjoyed visiting my grandparents here in Pierre. Now I am blessed to be able to live here for the time being with my wonderful Grandma. Love the hills, the friendliness, and the community opportunities!... Read 62 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 14,126

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  295 reviews

Current Resident: I have been to a lot of different places in my life and I can say that South Dakota is by far my favorite place. It is beautiful here with lots to do. We have the black hills surrounding us with tons of different activities to do in the hills and in rapid city and the surrounding areas such as Keystone, Hill City, and Custer. We have a lot of different tourist attractions and a lot of cool places to see. To the east, we have badlands that are very pretty. To the West we have the black hills with all of the different types of wild life. To the south we have Custer state park which is beautiful to drive through at any time of the year. We have so many different things to do here in the Rapid City area. The biggest part of Rapid City and Keystone area is Mount Rushmore. It is the memorial of our presidents and there is so much history there and interesting things to learn. I love it here in Rapid City South Dakota for many reasons. The nature around this beautiful place is why I love it!... Read 295 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• Population 73,942

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  29 reviews

Former Resident: I've lived in Madison my whole life. Somethings I like about Madison though is it's a semi small town. It's not huge but there's still a lot of job opportunities or education opportunities. We have a college in Madison which is nice for students who don't want to stray far from home. We also have cheap rental houses/apartments. We have a lot of job employment opportunities too. It's also not small enough where everyone knows everyone. It's the perfect size.... Read 29 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 6,388

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  48 reviews

Current Resident: Spearfish is a beautiful town in South Dakota. Attuned to the needs of an active community, Spearfish offers endless hiking and biking trails, along with amazing opportunities for outdoors enjoyment.... Read 48 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• Population 12,031

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.58 out of 5  81 reviews

Niche User: I have only live in Aberdeen for 4 month but I love it here. I am a student at Northern State University and everyone is super nice! I had also explore and this place is small but beautiful and comfortable. Since I live in a dorm, I see many diversity and Aberdeen has a lot.... Read 81 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 28,500

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: Great community that is constantly growing! I have lived here for 8 1/2 years now and I do not see myself living anywhere else. The community is very close, since the town is so small, and it is very safe too. I think Harrisburg is a great town to live in to raise a family, especially with the wonderful schools in the district. The small businesses in Harrisburg are awesome too!... Read 12 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 6,645

Current Resident: It is very quite and family friendly. Close enough to town but far enough out as well. Great if you have young children.... Read 1 review

• grade B+

• grade B

• Population 2,875

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Works Here: A great little town making lots of progress! Just across the river from the capital city of Pierre, so if you need other things it's quick access.... Read 4 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• Population 2,426

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.23 out of 5  43 reviews

Current Resident: The parks, the Meridian District, Lewis and Clark Lake, vibrant night life and several pawn shops. This town has it all. Bustling industry to the east, and retail stores galore in the north. Visit south Yankton, just across the creek, for reasonably priced gas and BBQ (across the street). Reliable care comes in several forms, with Sacred Heart Hospital and Yankton Medical Clinic, as well as several senior care/assisted living facilities around the town. Not to mention Riverboat Days! Come down to Yankton, or don't, we wouldn't want to spoil a good thing after all.... Read 43 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• Population 15,332

Current Resident: It has beautiful surroundings in the Black Hills, and it is only a ten minute drive away from Rapid City.... Read 6 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 2,425

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.75 out of 5  16 reviews

Nearby Resident: A quaint little town with some business and two excellent schools. Most people commute to Sioux Falls for work. Family-friendly parks are scattered around the town. Small Businesses thrive here on a decent-sized population. If you are still looking for a small town near Sioux Falls, I would suggest Dell Rapids over Tea and Harrisburg.... Read 16 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 3,940

Current Resident: Unique Town, great community, simple area, open air, great neighbors. Excellent bike trails. Nobody judges. Open community... Read 4 reviews

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Population 2,956

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.73 out of 5  37 reviews

Current Resident: Everyone for the most part is super nice and caring. Small little place where everyone kind of knows everyone. Makes you feel pretty welcomed and safe in the area. The school district is super nice and caring. Gives you the best education to make you successful in life. Box Elder is growing into something bigger and better for the people. Air Force base out here is growing and more families are coming out here. They are starting to build houses and add onto schools because there are becoming so many kids that are enrolling into the Douglas school district. For the most part though I really enjoy living in Box Elder, everyone is caring and makes you feel welcomed as I said.... Read 37 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 11,527

Current Resident: Rapid Valley is a great place for multiple reasons. The area is quiet, and very family friendly. It is a short commute to Rapid City so nothing is too far away. The area itself is overall very pretty, and most residents are neighborly and willing to help one another out. The school system for elementary and middle school is absolutely wonderful, and I cannot say enough great things about them!... Read 12 reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• Population 7,875

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.56 out of 5  32 reviews

Current Resident: One of the main things I like about Mitchell is that it's not too big or too small. It is a perfect size. Another great thing about Mitchell is that it is only 1 hour away from Sioux Falls and other bigger towns, so if you want to go to a bigger city, you could make a day trip and be fine. One thing that I would like to see changed in the city of Mitchell is the amount of drug usage in our town. We have certain parts of our town that you should not visit at night solely because it would not be safe to do so. Other than that one thing the town is a great place to live if you do not mind a small town.... Read 32 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 15,677

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.43 out of 5  42 reviews

Current Resident: It's a very nice small town with a great diversity and we have the state fair every summer, we have our own waterpark and a very nice public library, several different parks and lots of places to dine out.... Read 42 reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• Population 14,060

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.84 out of 5  57 reviews

Current Resident: Watertown, SD, is like finding the needle in the haystack. It may not be the biggest town, but you can surely find what you are looking for, whether you want to eat, shop, or have a great time! The people are very friendly and will almost always wave or say "Hi" to you, as you are walking by. It is one place that feels very safe and you don't have to worry much at all. Watertown is open to all types of ethnicities, religions, body types, families, and personalities. The saying "Don't knock it, till you try it," is something that is true about all of South Dakota. Moving to South Dakota, especially Watertown, didn't seem pleasing right away, but ever since my family and I did, we have loved it ever since!... Read 57 reviews

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Population 22,577

• Town in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.33 out of 5  9 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 3,054