Living in Chester, South Dakota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chester · Census data 2020–2024
Chester has 152 residents with a median age of 62.3. The median household income is $68,333 (9% lower than the South Dakota median), the median home value is $147,500.
Chester is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Chester at a glance
- Population
- 152
- Median age
- 62.3State: 38
- Median household income
- $68,333State: $75,081
- Median home value
- $147,500State: $257,400
- Homeowners
- 87%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20.6%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Chester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 43% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 9% lower than the South Dakota median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 7.2%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Chester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chester the median home value is $147,500, 56% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $891 a month in housing costs.
Chester median household income
The median household income in Chester is $68,333 and the income per person is $43,382. 0% of residents live below the poverty line (South Dakota: 11.9%).
Housing in Chester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 127
- Owner-occupied
- 87%
- Renter-occupied
- 13%
- Vacant
- 21.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 1.52
Chester demographics
- Population
- 152
- Median age
- 62.3
- Under 18
- 9.9%
- 65 and older
- 39.5%
- Households
- 100
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 13.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chester ›
Education in Chester
20.6% of adults 25 and older in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Dakota: 31.9%), and 4.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chester
- Unemployment rate
- 7.2%State: 2.9%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 18 min
- Work from home
- 3.9%
- Drive alone
- 96.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 96%
Chester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 152 | $68,333 | $147,500 | — |
| Brant Lake South | 211 | $107,983 | — | — |
| Lake Madison | 936 | $129,191 | $477,800 | $867 |
| Wentworth | 138 | $62,188 | $83,300 | $808 |
| Colton | 736 | $83,750 | $192,900 | $736 |
| Colman | 948 | $76,146 | $235,800 | $733 |
| Madison | 6,094 | $65,593 | $193,100 | $981 |
| Dell Rapids | 3,905 | $100,170 | $301,700 | $962 |
| Lyons | 112 | $159,286 | $656,300 | — |
More for people moving to Chester
Chester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chester, SD?
The median household income in Chester is $68,333, 9% 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 Chester?
The median home value in Chester is $147,500, compared with $257,400 in South Dakota.
Is Chester, SD a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 43% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 9% lower than the South Dakota median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 7.2%.
What is the median age in Chester?
The median age in Chester is 62.3 years (South Dakota: 38).
How long is the commute in Chester?
The average commute to work in Chester is 23 minutes; 3.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chester?
The unemployment rate in Chester is 7.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chester?
20.6% of adults in Chester 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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