Belle Fourche

Belle Fourche, South Dakota Overview

Belle Fourche faces challenges across several categories, earning a C+ grade (52.2/100) and ranking #15 of 20 cities in South Dakota. Even so, the city scores 82/100 in Safety — a relative bright spot compared to its Growth score of 30/100.

Income & Employment in Belle Fourche

The median household income in Belle Fourche is $59,920, 17% below the statewide median of $72,280. Population declined 0.5%.

Safety in Belle Fourche

At 251.7 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Belle Fourche sits meaningfully below the South Dakota average of 330 — a 31% lower gap. The property crime rate is 1191.3 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Belle Fourche

The median home value is $188,800. Median monthly rent is $947. Renters spend 19.0% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Belle Fourche

The adult obesity rate in Belle Fourche is 35.6%, above the national average and a factor in the city’s health profile. The diabetes prevalence rate is 12.2%. Residents report an average of 16.3 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. South Dakota ranks #24 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Belle Fourche

Belle Fourche has a high school graduation rate of 82%. The student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Per-pupil spending is $10,737. The city has 4 public schools serving 1,261 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Belle Fourche

The annual average temperature in Belle Fourche is 51.3°F. Summers average 67.8°F. Winters average 32.5°F. Annual precipitation is 22.5 inches.

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