Neighborhood Beacon
Compare
  1. Home
  2. States
  3. South Dakota
  4. Top 100 neighborhoods in South Dakota

Discover South Dakota's Top 100 Neighborhoods

Explore South Dakota's best neighborhoods, ranked by safety, schools, amenities, affordability, and walkability. Find your ideal community.

View Free Sample ReportCompare PlansSearch an address

The sample and plans are public. Address search requires a free account; sign in or create one to continue directly to search.

Source verification required

Unverified AI reply: supporting sources and reporting dates were not recorded for these claims. The official links below are places to verify them, not citations proving this reply is accurate.

Confirm school attendance boundaries, enrollment eligibility, programs and transport policies directly with the local school district. NCES listings do not establish attendance boundaries. Data unavailable where reliable evidence has not been supplied.

  • NCES public school directoryLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • U.S. Census — American Community SurveyLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FBI Crime Data ExplorerLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • National Weather ServiceLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FEMA flood mapsLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded

Link-check dates confirm availability only, not factual verification or data freshness. Beacon scores are model estimates, not school ratings or measured crime statistics.

South Dakota offers diverse living experiences, from growing urban centers to tranquil prairie towns. Our Top 100 Neighborhoods guide for South Dakota uses a comprehensive methodology, evaluating factors like safety, educational opportunities, local amenities, housing affordability, and walkability to help you find an area that aligns with your priorities.

Overall, South Dakota's neighborhoods present a solid foundation, with a Neighborhood Beacon Score of 57. The state generally performs well in public safety, reflected by an average Safety Score of 69. For long-term considerations, neighborhoods show a moderate Investment Score of 55 and a Future Score of 55, indicating steady growth potential without rapid appreciation.

While the Lifestyle Score of 49 suggests varying access to certain amenities depending on the location, this guide helps you navigate these differences. You'll find detailed insights into communities across the state, from the eastern plains to the Black Hills region.

This resource highlights standout neighborhoods within metros like Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, and Pierre, offering a starting point for your research.

Compare two South Dakota neighborhoods

Pick any two cities to see them side by side.

Open the comparator →

FAQs

What criteria are used to rank South Dakota neighborhoods?

Neighborhoods are ranked based on a comprehensive methodology that evaluates public safety, the quality of local schools, availability of amenities, housing affordability, and walkability scores. Each factor contributes to an overall Neighborhood Beacon Score.

Source verification required

Unverified AI reply: supporting sources and reporting dates were not recorded for these claims. The official links below are places to verify them, not citations proving this reply is accurate.

Confirm school attendance boundaries, enrollment eligibility, programs and transport policies directly with the local school district. NCES listings do not establish attendance boundaries. Data unavailable where reliable evidence has not been supplied.

  • NCES public school directoryLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • U.S. Census — American Community SurveyLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FBI Crime Data ExplorerLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • National Weather ServiceLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FEMA flood mapsLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded

Link-check dates confirm availability only, not factual verification or data freshness. Beacon scores are model estimates, not school ratings or measured crime statistics.

How accurate is the data used for rankings?

Our rankings utilize publicly available data from reliable sources. While we strive for accuracy, specific data points can change. We recommend cross-referencing information with primary sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, local government reports, and school district websites.

Source verification required

Unverified AI reply: supporting sources and reporting dates were not recorded for these claims. The official links below are places to verify them, not citations proving this reply is accurate.

Confirm school attendance boundaries, enrollment eligibility, programs and transport policies directly with the local school district. NCES listings do not establish attendance boundaries. Data unavailable where reliable evidence has not been supplied.

  • NCES public school directoryLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • U.S. Census — American Community SurveyLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FBI Crime Data ExplorerLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • National Weather ServiceLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FEMA flood mapsLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded

Link-check dates confirm availability only, not factual verification or data freshness. Beacon scores are model estimates, not school ratings or measured crime statistics.

Does this guide include neighborhoods in both large cities and smaller towns?

Yes, our Top 100 list includes a mix of neighborhoods from South Dakota's larger metropolitan areas like Sioux Falls and Rapid City, as well as notable communities in smaller towns and regional centers across the state.

Source verification required

Unverified AI reply: supporting sources and reporting dates were not recorded for these claims. The official links below are places to verify them, not citations proving this reply is accurate.

Confirm school attendance boundaries, enrollment eligibility, programs and transport policies directly with the local school district. NCES listings do not establish attendance boundaries. Data unavailable where reliable evidence has not been supplied.

  • NCES public school directoryLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • U.S. Census — American Community SurveyLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FBI Crime Data ExplorerLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • National Weather ServiceLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FEMA flood mapsLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded

Link-check dates confirm availability only, not factual verification or data freshness. Beacon scores are model estimates, not school ratings or measured crime statistics.

Can I find specific information about school districts in these neighborhoods?

While we factor school quality into our rankings, specific school district details are not provided directly in this introduction. We encourage users to consult resources like the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) or individual school district websites for detailed information.

Source verification required

Unverified AI reply: supporting sources and reporting dates were not recorded for these claims. The official links below are places to verify them, not citations proving this reply is accurate.

Confirm school attendance boundaries, enrollment eligibility, programs and transport policies directly with the local school district. NCES listings do not establish attendance boundaries. Data unavailable where reliable evidence has not been supplied.

  • NCES public school directoryLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • U.S. Census — American Community SurveyLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FBI Crime Data ExplorerLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • National Weather ServiceLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FEMA flood mapsLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded

Link-check dates confirm availability only, not factual verification or data freshness. Beacon scores are model estimates, not school ratings or measured crime statistics.

How can I use this guide to find a place to live?

This guide serves as a starting point. Review the top-ranked neighborhoods, identify those that align with your preferred criteria (e.g., high safety, good schools, specific amenities), and then conduct further in-depth research on those specific areas to determine suitability.

Source verification required

Unverified AI reply: supporting sources and reporting dates were not recorded for these claims. The official links below are places to verify them, not citations proving this reply is accurate.

Confirm school attendance boundaries, enrollment eligibility, programs and transport policies directly with the local school district. NCES listings do not establish attendance boundaries. Data unavailable where reliable evidence has not been supplied.

  • NCES public school directoryLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • U.S. Census — American Community SurveyLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FBI Crime Data ExplorerLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • National Weather ServiceLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded
  • FEMA flood mapsLink checked 2026-10-18 · Source publication/reporting date not recorded

Link-check dates confirm availability only, not factual verification or data freshness. Beacon scores are model estimates, not school ratings or measured crime statistics.

View Free Sample ReportCompare PlansSearch an address

The sample and plans are public. Address search requires a free account; sign in or create one to continue directly to search.

More about South Dakota

  • Best neighborhoods in South Dakota
  • Safest neighborhoods in South Dakota
  • Best places to retire in South Dakota
  • Most affordable places in South Dakota
  • Best places for families in South Dakota
  • Best for young professionals in South Dakota
© 2026 Neighborhood BeaconAll statesAll citiesCompare