Living in Brookings, South Dakota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Brookings · Census data 2020–2024
Brookings has 23,948 residents with a median age of 24.7. The median household income is $63,493 (15% lower than the South Dakota median), the median home value is $265,500, the median rent is $889/month.
Brookings at a glance
- Population
- 23,948
- Median age
- 24.7State: 38
- Median household income
- $63,493State: $75,081
- Median home value
- $265,500State: $257,400
- Median rent
- $889/moState: $946
- Homeowners
- 47.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 47.5%
- Average commute
- 13 min
Is Brookings a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 13 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 15% lower than the South Dakota median; home values 3% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4.5%; a poverty rate of 16.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Brookings
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Brookings the median home value is $265,500, 20% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $889 per month, which is 25% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,759 a month in housing costs.
Brookings median household income
The median household income in Brookings is $63,493 and the income per person is $32,470. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line (South Dakota: 11.9%).
Housing in Brookings: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,984
- Owner-occupied
- 47.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 52.3%
- Vacant
- 8.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1986
- Average household size
- 2.26
Brookings demographics
- Population
- 23,948
- Median age
- 24.7
- Under 18
- 18.6%
- 65 and older
- 12.1%
- Households
- 9,145
- Foreign-born
- 7.4%
- Veterans
- 3.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Brookings ›
Education in Brookings
47.5% of adults 25 and older in Brookings have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Dakota: 31.9%), and 17.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Brookings
- Unemployment rate
- 4.5%State: 2.9%
- Average commute
- 13 minState: 18 min
- Work from home
- 10.4%
- Drive alone
- 72.8%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 4.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.1%
Brookings vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings | 23,948 | $63,493 | $265,500 | $889 |
| Aurora | 1,444 | $95,952 | $234,600 | $840 |
| Volga | 2,408 | $78,828 | $240,000 | $1,130 |
| Bruce | 290 | $55,000 | $114,100 | $692 |
| White | 484 | $67,639 | $128,800 | $693 |
| Sinai | 215 | $56,875 | $89,300 | — |
| Elkton | 977 | $69,688 | $185,100 | $1,061 |
| Arlington | 920 | $71,296 | $144,300 | $810 |
| Estelline | 831 | $78,438 | $142,200 | $753 |
More for people moving to Brookings
Brookings ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Brookings: FAQ
What is the median household income in Brookings, SD?
The median household income in Brookings is $63,493, 15% lower than the South Dakota median of $75,081 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Brookings?
The median home value in Brookings is $265,500, compared with $257,400 in South Dakota.
How much is rent in Brookings?
The median gross rent in Brookings is $889 per month, about 25% of household income.
Is Brookings, SD a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 13 minutes. Minuses: median household income 15% lower than the South Dakota median; home values 3% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4.5%; a poverty rate of 16.9%.
What is the median age in Brookings?
The median age in Brookings is 24.7 years (South Dakota: 38).
How long is the commute in Brookings?
The average commute to work in Brookings is 13 minutes; 10.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Brookings?
The unemployment rate in Brookings is 4.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Brookings?
47.5% of adults in Brookings have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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