Living in Lake Preston, South Dakota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Lake Preston · Census data 2020–2024
Lake Preston has 596 residents with a median age of 49.3. The median household income is $52,396 (30% lower than the South Dakota median), the median home value is $130,000, the median rent is $615/month.
Lake Preston is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Lake Preston at a glance
- Population
- 596
- Median age
- 49.3State: 38
- Median household income
- $52,396State: $75,081
- Median home value
- $130,000State: $257,400
- Median rent
- $615/moState: $946
- Homeowners
- 61.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13.7%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Lake Preston a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 49% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0.4%.
Cons: Median household income 30% lower than the South Dakota median; an average commute of 23 minutes; a poverty rate of 17%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Lake Preston
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Lake Preston the median home value is $130,000, 61% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $615 per month, which is 36.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,216 a month in housing costs.
Lake Preston median household income
The median household income in Lake Preston is $52,396 and the income per person is $35,256. 17% of residents live below the poverty line (South Dakota: 11.9%).
Housing in Lake Preston: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 291
- Owner-occupied
- 61.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 38.3%
- Vacant
- 7.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1965
- Average household size
- 2.13
Lake Preston demographics
- Population
- 596
- Median age
- 49.3
- Under 18
- 16.8%
- 65 and older
- 27%
- Households
- 269
- Foreign-born
- 1%
- Veterans
- 5.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Lake Preston ›
Education in Lake Preston
13.7% of adults 25 and older in Lake Preston have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Dakota: 31.9%), and 3.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Lake Preston
- Unemployment rate
- 0.4%State: 2.9%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 18 min
- Work from home
- 11.1%
- Drive alone
- 77.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 80.7%
Lake Preston vs nearby towns
More for people moving to Lake Preston
Lake Preston ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Lake Preston: FAQ
What is the median household income in Lake Preston, SD?
The median household income in Lake Preston is $52,396, 30% 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 Lake Preston?
The median home value in Lake Preston is $130,000, compared with $257,400 in South Dakota.
How much is rent in Lake Preston?
The median gross rent in Lake Preston is $615 per month, about 36.4% of household income.
Is Lake Preston, SD a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 49% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0.4%. Minuses: median household income 30% lower than the South Dakota median; an average commute of 23 minutes; a poverty rate of 17%.
What is the median age in Lake Preston?
The median age in Lake Preston is 49.3 years (South Dakota: 38).
How long is the commute in Lake Preston?
The average commute to work in Lake Preston is 23 minutes; 11.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Lake Preston?
The unemployment rate in Lake Preston is 0.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Lake Preston?
13.7% of adults in Lake Preston 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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