Top 10 Worst Places to Live in South Dakota in 2025

Top 10 Worst Places to Live In South Dakota . Top 10 Worst Cities In South Dakota to Live, Raise a Family, Job or Retire. Top 10 Worst Towns in South Dakota. Top 10 Worst Villages in South Dakota. If you’re thinking about a move to South Dakota, here are the places you should avoid to live, retire or raise a family. 10 Most Dangerous Cities In South Dakota You Should Never Move To. Top 10 Worst Cities To Live In North Carolina. 10 Places in South Dakota You Should NEVER Move To.



TOP 10 WORST PLACES TO LIVE IN SOUTH DAKOTA

1. VERMILLION

Vermillion, with its population of 10,852 residents, is the 5th highest in unemployment, the 7th highest in poverty, and the 16th lowest in median income in South Dakota. The city also ranks 16th in overall crime, 21st in violent crime, and 14th in property crime in the state.

The high poverty rate of 26.4% is 88.57% higher than the national average, and the typical household income of $43,750 falls 35.19% below the national average. Financial hardship affects 25% of Vermillion residents, significantly surpassing the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Moreover, over 11% of area households subsist on incomes under $10,000 per year, compared to the 5.8% national average. Nearly 53.5% of households earn less than $50,000 a year, well above the national rate of 39%. Unfortunately, approximately one in every 10 workers in Vermillion is unemployed, further exacerbating the city's widespread poverty.

Population : 10852
Unemployment Rate : 10.1%
Poverty : 26.4%
Median Home Value : $158800
Median Home Income : $43750
Overall Score : 6/10

2. PORCUPINE

Porcupine, with a population of 1,470 residents, ranks 2nd in unemployment, 1st in poverty, and 1st in lowest median income in South Dakota. The city has a staggering poverty rate of 89.8%, which is 541.43% higher than the national average. Typical households in Porcupine earn only $16,964 per year, significantly lower than the national average.

Financial hardship affects a staggering 100% of Porcupine's residents, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%. Over 25% of area households have incomes under $10,000 annually, compared to the 5.8% national average. Additionally, almost 83.4% of households earn less than $50,000 per year, again exceeding the national rate of 39%. Approximately one in every three workers in Porcupine is unemployed, contributing to the city's extensive poverty.

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Population : 1470
Unemployment Rate : 32.6%
Poverty : 89.8%
Median Home Value : $0
Median Home Income : $16964
Overall Score : 3/10

3. MISSION

Mission, with a population of 1,310 residents, ranks 6th in unemployment, 2nd in poverty, and 2nd in lowest median income in South Dakota. The poverty rate in Mission is 58.7%, which is 319.29% higher than the national average. The typical household in Mission earns $21,029 per year, 68.85% lower than the national average.

Financial hardship affects 50% of Mission residents, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%. Over one-third of area households have incomes under $10,000 annually, compared to the 5.8% national average. Additionally, nearly 77.9% of households earn less than $50,000 per year, exceeding the national rate of 39%.

The unemployment rate in Mission is 9.5%, which is 102.13% higher than the national rate.

Population : 1310
Unemployment Rate : 9.5%
Poverty : 58.7%
Median Home Value : $34600
Median Home Income : $21029
Overall Score : 3/10

4. FORT THOMPSON

Fort Thompson, a city with a population of 1,235 residents, ranks 3rd in unemployment, 3rd in poverty, and 3rd in lowest median income in South Dakota. The poverty rate in Fort Thompson is 52%, significantly higher than the national average.

The typical household income in Fort Thompson is $23,594 per year, which is 65.05% lower than the national average. Financial hardship affects half of the city's residents, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Over one-third of area households subsist on incomes under $10,000 annually, compared to the 5.8% national average. Moreover, nearly 75.7% of households earn less than $50,000 per year, exceeding the national rate of 39%. Approximately one in every four workers in Fort Thompson is unemployed, contributing to the city's extensive poverty.

The unemployment rate in Fort Thompson is 27.8%, which is 491.49% higher than the national rate.

Population : 1235
Unemployment Rate : 27.8%
Poverty : 52%
Median Home Value : $30500
Median Home Income : $23594
Overall Score : 2/10

5. CHAMBERLAIN

Chamberlain, with a population of 2,565 residents, ranks 24th in unemployment, 15th in poverty, and 41st in lowest median income in South Dakota. The city also ranks 3rd in overall crime, 3rd in violent crime, and 4th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate in Chamberlain is 16.6%, which is 18.57% higher than the national average. The typical household in Chamberlain earns $54,833 per year, which is 18.77% lower than the national average.

The overall crime rate in Chamberlain is 65.89% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate in Chamberlain is 74.43% higher than the national average, with residents having a 1 in 160 chance of being a victim of violent crime. The property crime rate in Chamberlain is 64.19% higher than the national average, with residents having a 1 in 34 chance of being a victim of property crime.

Population : 2565
Unemployment Rate : 3%
Poverty : 16.6%
Median Home Value : $157100
Median Home Income : $54833
Overall Score : 6/10

6. OGLALA

Oglala, with a population of 1,612 residents, ranks 1st in unemployment, 2nd in poverty, and 2nd in lowest median income in South Dakota. The city's poverty rate is 42.2%, which is 201.43% higher than the national average. The typical household income in Oglala is $26,313, which is 61.02% lower than the national average.

Financial hardship affects half of Oglala's residents, significantly surpassing the national poverty rate of 14.1%. Over 20% of area households have incomes under $10,000 annually, compared to the 5.8% national average. Additionally, nearly 82.6% of households earn less than $50,000 per year, exceeding the national rate of 39%.

Approximately one in every three workers in Oglala is unemployed, further contributing to the city's extensive poverty. The unemployment rate in Oglala is 34.7%, which is 638.3% higher than the national rate.

Population : 1612
Unemployment Rate : 34.7%
Poverty : 42.2%
Median Home Value : $0
Median Home Income : $26313
Overall Score : 2/10

7. EAGLE BUTTE

Eagle Butte, with a population of 1,062 residents, ranks 2nd in unemployment, 4th in poverty, and 4th in lowest median income in South Dakota. The poverty rate in Eagle Butte is 47.2%, which is 237.14% higher than the national average. The typical household in Eagle Butte earns $33,456 per year, which is 50.44% lower than the national average.

Financial hardship affects half of Eagle Butte's residents, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%. Over 14% of area households have incomes under $10,000 annually, compared to the 5.8% national average. Additionally, nearly 75.6% of households earn less than $50,000 per year, exceeding the national rate of 39%.

Approximately one in every three workers in Eagle Butte is unemployed, contributing to the city's extensive poverty. The unemployment rate in Eagle Butte is 31.2%, which is 563.83% higher than the national rate.

Population : 1062
Unemployment Rate : 31.2%
Poverty : 47.2%
Median Home Value : $51200
Median Home Income : $33456
Overall Score : 4/10

8. RAPID CITY

Rapid City, with a population of 76,541 residents, ranks 15th in unemployment, 18th in poverty, and 36th in lowest median income in South Dakota. The city also ranks 1st in overall crime, 2nd in violent crime, and 1st in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate in Rapid City is 16.2%, which is 15.71% higher than the national average. The typical household in Rapid City earns $53,760 per year, which is 20.36% lower than the national average.

The overall crime rate in Rapid City is 106.91% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate in Rapid City is 120.98% higher than the national average, with residents having a 1 in 114 chance of being a victim of violent crime. The property crime rate in Rapid City is 104.12% higher than the national average, with residents having a 1 in 24 chance of being a victim of property crime.

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Population : 76541
Unemployment Rate : 4.5%
Poverty : 16.2%
Median Home Value : $194100
Median Home Income : $53760
Overall Score : 5/10

9. MITCHELL

Mitchell, with a population of 15,599 residents, ranks 28th in unemployment, 23rd in poverty, and 19th in lowest median income in South Dakota. The city also ranks 5th in overall crime, 8th in violent crime, and 2nd in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate in Mitchell is 14.9%, which is 6.43% higher than the national average. The typical household in Mitchell earns $45,318 per year, which is 32.86% lower than the national average.

The overall crime rate in Mitchell is 60.73% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate in Mitchell is 19.64% higher than the national average, with residents having a 1 in 214 chance of being a victim of violent crime. The property crime rate in Mitchell is 68.88% higher than the national average, with residents having a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of property crime.

Population : 15599
Unemployment Rate : 2.6%
Poverty : 14.9%
Median Home Value : $147400
Median Home Income : $45318
Overall Score : 6/10

10. NORTH EAGLE BUTTE

North Eagle Butte, with a population of 2,220 residents, ranks 1st in unemployment, 5th in poverty, and 6th in lowest median income in South Dakota. The poverty rate in North Eagle Butte is 39.4%, which is 181.43% higher than the national average. The typical household in North Eagle Butte earns $35,000 per year, which is 48.15% lower than the national average.

Financial hardship affects one in three North Eagle Butte residents, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%. Over 20% of area households have incomes under $10,000 annually, compared to the 5.8% national average. Additionally, nearly 61.9% of households earn less than $50,000 per year, exceeding the national rate of 39%.

Approximately one in every three workers in North Eagle Butte is unemployed, contributing to the city's extensive poverty. The unemployment rate in North Eagle Butte is 33.9%, which is 621.28% higher than the national rate.

Population : 2220
Unemployment Rate : 33.9%
Poverty : 39.4%
Median Home Value : $51800
Median Home Income : $35000
Overall Score : 3/10

 In conclusion, these data provide insight into the economic and social conditions of various cities in South Dakota, showcasing the disparities in income, employment, and poverty levels across the state. These statistics highlight the challenges some communities face and serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to address these issues and improve the quality of life for all South Dakotans.

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