The Town Files

The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in South Dakota

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 132 towns of 500–10,000 people in South Dakota. #1 is Tripp, SD.

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Numbers match the ranking.
The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in South Dakota1. Tripp100th pct2. Whitewood99th pct3. Tyndall98th pct4. Scotland98th pct5. Custer97th pct6. Miller97th pct7. Volga96th pct8. Mobridge95th pct9. Dakota Dunes94th pct10. Lake Madison94th pct11. Milbank93rd pct12. Platte92nd pct13. Gettysburg92nd pct14. Webster91st pct15. Centerville90th pct16. Viborg90th pct17. Johnson Siding89th pct18. Hot Springs88th pct19. Hill City88th pct20. Ipswich86th pct21. Mina86th pct22. Faulkton85th pct23. Onida85th pct24. Highmore84th pct25. Parkston83rd pct
  1. 25Parkston, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 83% of South Dakota towns

    Parkston is a city of 1,567 people in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. It also ranks more of a college town than 91% of South Dakota towns and easier by car than 87% of South Dakota towns.

    1,567 people · Hutchinson County · median home $157,100 · income $70,139 · Jan low 10°F · 36 in snow

    Full Parkston, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Parkston lifestyle rankingsRetirement83th pctQuiet36th pctWalkability48th pctFamilies69th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  2. 24Highmore, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 84% of South Dakota towns

    Highmore is a city of 682 people in Hyde County, South Dakota. It also ranks better transit than 92% of South Dakota towns and quieter than 88% of South Dakota towns.

    682 people · Hyde County · median home $151,800 · income $103,017 · Jan low 7°F · 40 in snow

    Full Highmore, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Highmore lifestyle rankingsRetirement84th pctQuiet88th pctWalkability31th pctFamilies77th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  3. 23Onida, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 85% of South Dakota towns

    Onida is a city of 666 people in Sully County, South Dakota. It also ranks quieter than 99% of South Dakota towns and hipper than 81% of South Dakota towns.

    666 people · Sully County · median home $178,600 · income $70,000 · Jan low 7°F · 49 in snow

    Full Onida, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Onida lifestyle rankingsRetirement85th pctQuiet99th pctWalkability23th pctFamilies49th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  4. 22Faulkton, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 85% of South Dakota towns

    Faulkton is a city of 826 people in Faulk County, South Dakota. It also ranks hipper than 86% of South Dakota towns and better for families than 84% of South Dakota towns.

    826 people · Faulk County · median home $99,600 · income $63,750 · Jan low 4°F · 44 in snow

    Full Faulkton, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Faulkton lifestyle rankingsRetirement85th pctQuiet82th pctWalkability41th pctFamilies84th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  5. 21Mina, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 86% of South Dakota towns

    Mina is a community of 554 people in Edmunds County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for families than 94% of South Dakota towns and more upscale than 89% of South Dakota towns.

    554 people · Edmunds County · median home $378,600 · income $103,333 · Jan low 3°F · 40 in snow

    Full Mina, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Mina lifestyle rankingsRetirement86th pctQuiet87th pctWalkability22th pctFamilies94th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  6. 20Ipswich, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 86% of South Dakota towns

    Ipswich is a city of 928 people in Edmunds County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for families than 94% of South Dakota towns and more upscale than 89% of South Dakota towns.

    928 people · Edmunds County · median home $164,700 · income $74,167 · Jan low 3°F · 34 in snow

    Full Ipswich, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Ipswich lifestyle rankingsRetirement86th pctQuiet87th pctWalkability22th pctFamilies94th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  7. 19Hill City, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 88% of South Dakota towns

    Hill City is a city of 872 people in Pennington County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 97% of South Dakota towns and quieter than 89% of South Dakota towns.

    872 people · Pennington County · median home $286,200 · income $95,385 · Jan low 10°F · 67 in snow

    Full Hill City, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Hill City lifestyle rankingsRetirement88th pctQuiet89th pctWalkability3th pctFamilies53th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  8. 18Hot Springs, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 88% of South Dakota towns

    Hot Springs is a city of 3,395 people in Fall River County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for cycling than 100% of South Dakota towns and quieter than 91% of South Dakota towns.

    3,395 people · Fall River County · median home $202,600 · income $66,338 · Jan low 14°F · 32 in snow

    Full Hot Springs, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Hot Springs lifestyle rankingsRetirement88th pctQuiet91th pctWalkability88th pctFamilies28th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  9. 17Johnson Siding, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 89% of South Dakota towns

    Johnson Siding is a community of 614 people in Pennington County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 91% of South Dakota towns and more upscale than 82% of South Dakota towns.

    614 people · Pennington County · median home $471,700 · income $102,716 · Jan low 12°F · 61 in snow

    Full Johnson Siding, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Johnson Siding lifestyle rankingsRetirement89th pctQuiet80th pctWalkability10th pctFamilies50th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  10. 16Viborg, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 90% of South Dakota towns

    Viborg is a city of 814 people in Turner County, South Dakota. It also ranks better transit than 99% of South Dakota towns and better for first-time buyers than 92% of South Dakota towns.

    814 people · Turner County · median home $156,700 · income $51,944 · Jan low 7°F · 34 in snow

    Full Viborg, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Viborg lifestyle rankingsRetirement90th pctQuiet75th pctWalkability74th pctFamilies59th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  11. 15Centerville, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 90% of South Dakota towns

    Centerville is a city of 918 people in Turner County, South Dakota. It also ranks better transit than 99% of South Dakota towns and better for first-time buyers than 92% of South Dakota towns.

    918 people · Turner County · median home $161,200 · income $54,318 · Jan low 7°F · 31 in snow

    Full Centerville, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Centerville lifestyle rankingsRetirement90th pctQuiet75th pctWalkability74th pctFamilies59th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  12. 14Webster, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 91% of South Dakota towns

    Webster is a city of 1,728 people in Day County, South Dakota. It also ranks more of a college town than 98% of South Dakota towns and hipper than 94% of South Dakota towns.

    1,728 people · Day County · median home $154,100 · income $55,179 · Jan low 2°F · 43 in snow

    Full Webster, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Webster lifestyle rankingsRetirement91th pctQuiet35th pctWalkability86th pctFamilies48th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  13. 13Gettysburg, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 92% of South Dakota towns

    Gettysburg is a city of 1,104 people in Potter County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 99% of South Dakota towns and better for first-time buyers than 88% of South Dakota towns.

    1,104 people · Potter County · median home $125,000 · income $63,929 · Jan low 5°F · 39 in snow

    Full Gettysburg, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Gettysburg lifestyle rankingsRetirement92th pctQuiet74th pctWalkability19th pctFamilies62th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  14. 12Platte, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 92% of South Dakota towns

    Platte is a city of 1,296 people in Charles Mix County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for families than 99% of South Dakota towns and hipper than 97% of South Dakota towns.

    1,296 people · Charles Mix County · median home $179,200 · income $72,700 · Jan low 11°F · 46 in snow

    Full Platte, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Platte lifestyle rankingsRetirement92th pctQuiet66th pctWalkability62th pctFamilies99th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  15. 11Milbank, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 93% of South Dakota towns

    Milbank is a city of 3,544 people in Grant County, South Dakota. It also ranks quieter than 92% of South Dakota towns and better for cycling than 91% of South Dakota towns.

    3,544 people · Grant County · median home $155,000 · income $56,011 · Jan low 4°F · 32 in snow

    Full Milbank, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Milbank lifestyle rankingsRetirement93th pctQuiet92th pctWalkability51th pctFamilies53th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  16. 10Lake Madison, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 94% of South Dakota towns

    Lake Madison is a community of 829 people in Lake County, South Dakota. It also ranks quieter than 100% of South Dakota towns and better for a vacation home than 98% of South Dakota towns.

    829 people · Lake County · median home $477,800 · income $129,191 · Jan low 7°F · 38 in snow

    Full Lake Madison, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Lake Madison lifestyle rankingsRetirement94th pctQuiet100th pctWalkability24th pctFamilies55th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  17. 9Dakota Dunes, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 94% of South Dakota towns

    Dakota Dunes is a community of 4,020 people in Union County, South Dakota. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of South Dakota towns and better for young professionals than 98% of South Dakota towns.

    4,020 people · Union County · median home $565,600 · income $136,125 · Jan low 9°F · 36 in snow

    Full Dakota Dunes, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Dakota Dunes lifestyle rankingsRetirement94th pctQuiet12th pctWalkability75th pctFamilies38th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  18. 8Mobridge, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 95% of South Dakota towns

    Mobridge is a city of 3,261 people in Walworth County, South Dakota. It also ranks more walkable than 90% of South Dakota towns and more vibrant than 84% of South Dakota towns.

    3,261 people · Walworth County · median home $136,800 · income $65,357 · Jan low 6°F · 31 in snow

    Full Mobridge, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Mobridge lifestyle rankingsRetirement95th pctQuiet44th pctWalkability90th pctFamilies36th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  19. 7Volga, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 96% of South Dakota towns

    Volga is a city of 2,113 people in Brookings County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for cycling than 97% of South Dakota towns and more upscale than 91% of South Dakota towns.

    2,113 people · Brookings County · median home $240,000 · income $78,828 · Jan low 4°F · 36 in snow

    Full Volga, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Volga lifestyle rankingsRetirement96th pctQuiet79th pctWalkability32th pctFamilies71th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  20. 6Miller, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 97% of South Dakota towns

    Miller is a city of 1,349 people in Hand County, South Dakota. It also ranks easier by car than 84% of South Dakota towns and more walkable than 83% of South Dakota towns.

    1,349 people · Hand County · median home $155,200 · income $57,500 · Jan low 7°F · 44 in snow

    Full Miller, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Miller lifestyle rankingsRetirement97th pctQuiet60th pctWalkability83th pctFamilies45th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  21. 5Custer, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 97% of South Dakota towns

    Custer is a city of 1,919 people in Custer County, South Dakota. It also ranks quieter than 94% of South Dakota towns and better for a vacation home than 89% of South Dakota towns.

    1,919 people · Custer County · median home $235,600 · income $78,369 · Jan low 16°F · 58 in snow

    Full Custer, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Custer lifestyle rankingsRetirement97th pctQuiet94th pctWalkability63th pctFamilies34th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  22. 4Scotland, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 98% of South Dakota towns

    Scotland is a city of 785 people in Bon Homme County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for cycling than 99% of South Dakota towns and quieter than 94% of South Dakota towns.

    785 people · Bon Homme County · median home $110,700 · income $63,250 · Jan low 10°F · 38 in snow

    Full Scotland, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Scotland lifestyle rankingsRetirement98th pctQuiet94th pctWalkability64th pctFamilies46th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  23. 3Tyndall, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 98% of South Dakota towns

    Tyndall is a city of 1,057 people in Bon Homme County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for cycling than 99% of South Dakota towns and quieter than 94% of South Dakota towns.

    1,057 people · Bon Homme County · median home $101,500 · income $50,481 · Jan low 9°F · 37 in snow

    Full Tyndall, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tyndall lifestyle rankingsRetirement98th pctQuiet94th pctWalkability64th pctFamilies46th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  24. 2Whitewood, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 99% of South Dakota towns

    Whitewood is a city of 879 people in Lawrence County, South Dakota. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 100% of South Dakota towns and more upscale than 92% of South Dakota towns.

    879 people · Lawrence County · median home $243,300 · income $77,500 · Jan low 15°F · 48 in snow

    Full Whitewood, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Whitewood lifestyle rankingsRetirement99th pctQuiet89th pctWalkability12th pctFamilies69th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.
  25. 1Tripp, South Dakota

    Better for retirees than 100% of South Dakota towns

    Tripp is a city of 575 people in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. It also ranks more upscale than 86% of South Dakota towns and quieter than 85% of South Dakota towns.

    575 people · Hutchinson County · median home $66,300 · income $59,167 · Jan low 9°F · 37 in snow

    Full Tripp, South Dakota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tripp lifestyle rankingsRetirement100th pctQuiet85th pctWalkability49th pctFamilies56th pct
    The Town Files lifestyle rankings, percentile vs South Dakota towns.

Price vs ranking

Median home value vs ranking, South Dakota towns0255075100$10K$149K$288K$427K$566KMedian home valuePercentile
Orange squares are the 25 towns on this list; green dots are other towns on The Town Files in South Dakota.

More South Dakota rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 132 towns of 500–10,000 people in South Dakota (2020 Census population). Lifestyle measures are The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025), shown as percentiles. Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: