These Are The 10 Most Successful Cities In South Dakota

Discover the 10 Most Successful Cities in South Dakota (2026 Edition)

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What defines success in 2026? Is it the wealth you accumulate, the satisfaction you feel after a successful project, or perhaps an unquantifiable element that varies from person to person?

At Zippia, we appreciate measurable metrics that allow us to analyze and compare. Using data-driven insights, we’ve identified the ten most successful cities in South Dakota. Here’s the current list:

If you’re questioning our criteria for this list, let’s delve deeper into how we arrived at these conclusions.

Explore more about South Dakota:

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Explore the 100 Highest Paying Jobs in South Dakota

How We Determined the Most Successful Cities in South Dakota

Traditionally, success has been equated with financial wealth. But is that the whole picture? We believe other factors contribute to a city’s overall success. Our analysis used data from the American Community Survey (2017-2021) to evaluate various metrics.

1. Pierre

Source: Wikipedia

Population: 13,885
Median Income: $52,961
Poverty Level: 10.0%
Unemployment Rate: 2.3%

2. Brandon

Population: 9,350
Median Income: $69,792
Poverty Level: 6.7%
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%

3. Aberdeen

Population: 26,979
Median Income: $47,540
Poverty Level: 13.1%
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%

4. Mitchell

Population: 15,490
Median Income: $47,622
Poverty Level: 11.7%
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%

5. Sioux Falls

Population: 160,964
Median Income: $52,607
Poverty Level: 10.9%
Unemployment Rate: 4.6%

6. Watertown

Population: 21,795
Median Income: $45,185
Poverty Level: 12.3%
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%

7. Belle Fourche

Population: 5,677
Median Income: $41,356
Poverty Level: 14.9%
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%

8. Box Elder

Population: 8,683
Median Income: $45,041
Poverty Level: 7.4%
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%

9. Sturgis

Population: 6,652
Median Income: $37,697
Poverty Level: 15.4%
Unemployment Rate: 2.3%

10. Yankton

Population: 14,513
Median Income: $42,250
Poverty Level: 15.9%
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%

Measuring Success in 2026

If you’re questioning whether our metrics adequately capture what defines success in a city, you’re not alone. Success is complex and subjective. However, our methodology provides a structured perspective on the most thriving communities. Congratulations to Pierre and the other cities on our list! For those that didn’t make it this year, there’s always next time.

Detailed List of the Most Successful Cities in South Dakota

Rank	City	Median Income	Poverty Rate	Unemployment Rate
1	Pierre	$52,961	10.0%	2.3%
2	Brandon	$69,792	6.7%	3.9%
3	Aberdeen	$47,540	13.1%	3.0%
4	Mitchell	$47,622	11.7%	3.7%
5	Sioux Falls	$52,607	10.9%	4.6%
6	Watertown	$45,185	12.3%	3.5%
7	Belle Fourche	$41,356	14.9%	2.9%
8	Box Elder	$45,041	7.4%	4.8%
9	Sturgis	$37,697	15.4%	2.3%
10	Yankton	$42,250	15.9%	3.7%
11	Rapid City	$46,392	14.3%	5.9%
12	Huron	$39,927	21.1%	3.1%
13	Brookings	$41,061	28.4%	4.1%
14	Spearfish	$39,758	20.6%	4.5%
15	Madison	$37,045	17.4%	5.0%
16	Vermillion	$28,690	42.7%	9.7%

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Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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