According to a recent study by Credit Donkey, which looks at crime rate, average commute time, income, divorce rate, housing, restaurants, and amenities, here are the top-10 "happiest" cities in the state of South Dakota. All of the data used in this study is courtesy of the US Census Bureau.
While some of the cities listed are a bit surprising, some seem to fit just right. What do you think? Do you agree with the list or not? What communities are being left off the list of "happiest cities in South Dakota?"
10. Sturgis
Photo Credit/Destination 360
- Restaurants Per Capita: 1 per 246 inhabitants
- Victim Crime Rate: 1 in 1682.8
- Average commute time: 14.8 minutes
- Median household income: $36,935
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 13.9% of males, 16.8% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 19.8%
9. Madison
Photo Credit/Trojan Times
- Restaurants Per Capita: 1 per 235 inhabitants
- Victim Crime Rate: 1 in 1344.6
- Average commute time: 13 minutes
- Median household income: $36,429
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 6.4% of males, 8.4% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 17.8%
8. Sioux Falls
Photo Credit/Visit Sioux Falls
- Restaurants Per Capita: 1 per 461 inhabitants
- Victim Crime Rate: 1 in 251
- Average commute time: 16.2 minutes
- Median household income: $51,882
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 11.1% of males, 11.7% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 20%
7. Brookings
Photo Credit/KSFY-TV YouTube
- Restaurants Per Capita: 1 per 434 inhabitants
- Victim Crime Rate: 1 in 2809.8
- Average commute time: 12.8 minutes
- Median household income: $41,468
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 4% of males, 7.7% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 20.4%
6. Mitchell
Photo Credit/Cars, Travel, and Food
- Restaurants Per Capita: 1 per 316 inhabitants
- Victim Crime Rate: 1 in 304.7
- Average commute time: 12.2 minutes
- Median household income: $43,557
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 8.5% of males, 9.8% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 17.5%
5. Huron
Photo Credit/Coffee Towns
- Restaurants Per Capita: 1 per 330 inhabitants
- Victim Crime Rate: 1 in 313.4
- Average commute time: 11.1 minutes
- Median household income: $40,533
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 13.4% of males, 14.1% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 16.9%
4. Aberdeen
Photo Credit/Presentation.edu
- Restaurants Per Capita: 1 per 388 inhabitants
- Victim Crime Rate: 1 in 385.4
- Average commute time: 11.4 minutes
- Median household income: $46,073
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 9.5% of males, 12.6% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 16.5%
3. Brandon
Photo Credit/Wiki
- Restaurants Per Capita: 1 per 774 inhabitants
- Victim Crime Rate: 1 in 9008
- Average commute time: 18.5 minutes
- Median household income: $66,766
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 7.6% of males, 9.3% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 19.8%
2. Pierre
Photo Credit/Huffington Post
- Restaurants Per Capita: 1 per 357 inhabitants
- Victim Crime Rate: 1 in 318.5
- Average commute time: 10.1 minutes
- Median household income: $56,125
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 10.4% of males, 11% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 15.8%
1. Yankton
Photo Credit/City Data
- Restaurants Per Capita: 1 per 303 inhabitants
- Victim Crime Rate: 1 in 350.7
- Average commute time: 12.6 minutes
- Median household income: $48,966
- Percentage of residents who are divorced: 10.9% of males, 8% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 14.5%
