City profile
Brookings, SD
Safe college town (South Dakota State) with low costs and no income tax.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
14°F
Summer avg
72°F
Sunny days / yr
205
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$290,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,915
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
92
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.10%
- State income tax (top)
- None
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 6.11%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low · county score 50/100
Top hazards: Winter weather, Tornado, Ice storm
Nearest major airport
180 mi to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field (MSP)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 43% Democratic / 54% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
23,948
Growth since 2019
-0.7%
Median age
24.7
Residents 65+
13.2%
Median household income
$63,493
Income growth since 2019
+17.9%
Black household income
—
Home ownership
47.7%
Poverty rate
16.9%
Poverty rate, 65+
11.5%
Race & ethnicity: Black 1.2% · White 86.2% · Hispanic 4.2% · Asian 4.6% · Other 3.8%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
113 · 66% below the national average
Property crime
869 · 44% below the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Brookings Police Department. State average: violent 327, property 1,430.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸SD is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: extreme cold, hail
Highlights
- Very safe
- No state income tax
- College-town events
Trade-offs
- Very cold winters
- Limited healthcare
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.