Best Cities for Families in South Dakota
South Dakota ranks #6 of 50 for families, with a families score of 81.0. Brandon is its best city for families at 71.3.
- South Dakota, all states
- #6 of 50
- Population
- 10,996
Why South Dakota Works for Families
South Dakota is a top-ten state for families, ranking #6 out of 50. With strong schools, a moderate violent crime rate of 307.5 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $76,881, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs are notably affordable with a cost-of-living index of 88.6.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and South Dakota shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 82.1%, trailing the national average. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 61/100. Center-based infant care costs $8,859 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. South Dakota performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 307.5 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The low cost of living (index: 88.6) means family budgets stretch further here than in most states, leaving more room for savings, activities, and college funds.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Brandon | A+ | 71.3 | 70.0 | 58 | 100 | 77 | 10,996 |
| 2Tea | A+ | 69.7 | 69.8 | 51 | 91 | 74 | 6,786 |
| 3Harrisburg | B+ | 65.0 | 62.7 | 58 | — | 74 | 8,519 |
| 4Aberdeen | B+ | 64.4 | 59.8 | 58 | 70 | 87 | 28,189 |
| 5Brookings | B | 64.2 | 56.9 | 59 | 93 | 84 | 23,948 |
| 6Madison | C+ | 64.2 | 55.7 | 58 | 94 | 86 | 6,094 |
| 7Sioux Falls | B+ | 63.2 | 61.9 | 53 | 68 | 78 | 201,469 |
| 8Watertown | C+ | 61.6 | 55.7 | 52 | 90 | 84 | 23,044 |
| 9Yankton | C+ | 61.0 | 53.9 | 55 | 84 | 87 | 15,540 |
| 10Mitchell | C+ | 60.9 | 52.8 | 59 | 76 | 87 | 15,649 |
| 11Dakota Dunes | A+ | 60.5 | 68.7 | — | — | 67 | 3,936 |
| 12Box Elder | C+ | 60.0 | 52.7 | 52 | 77 | 73 | 12,902 |
| 13Vermillion | D | 59.2 | 48.4 | 48 | 87 | 87 | 11,878 |
| 14Spearfish | C+ | 58.5 | 55.1 | 52 | 78 | 79 | 12,930 |
| 15Belle Fourche | C | 58.3 | 49.1 | 51 | 85 | 84 | 5,804 |
| 16Pierre | C+ | 58.2 | 53.5 | 54 | 59 | 84 | 13,948 |
| 17Huron | C | 57.3 | 49.4 | 41 | 79 | 88 | 14,385 |
| 18Sturgis | D | 55.5 | 47.6 | 46 | 70 | 83 | 7,086 |
| 19Rapid Valley | C+ | 55.4 | 54.8 | — | — | 79 | 6,975 |
| 20Rapid City | C | 50.4 | 52.1 | 40 | 32 | 78 | 77,946 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: South Dakota for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Dakota a good state for families?
South Dakota ranks #6 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 81.0/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (85/100) and its weakest is Livability (42/100).
What is the best city for families in South Dakota?
Brandon ranks #1 in South Dakota for families with a score of 71.3/100, followed by Tea and Harrisburg.
What factors are most important for families in South Dakota?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.