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.

Median home value

Lake Preston$130,000
South Dakota$257,400
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Lake Preston$615
South Dakota$946
United States$1,413

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%).

Median household income

Lake Preston$52,396
South Dakota$75,081
United States$80,734

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+

Race and ethnicity

White79.2%
Hispanic or Latino5.5%
Black0%
Asian0.3%

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.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Lake Preston13.7%
South Dakota31.9%
United States35.7%

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

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Lake Preston596$52,396$130,000$615
De Smet943$67,321$165,200$708
Erwin105$86,250——
Badger162$65,000$70,000—
Arlington920$71,296$144,300$810
Bryant727$62,000$143,400$864
Lake Norden889$75,688$192,600$1,089
Sinai215$56,875$89,300—
Ramona538$78,750$85,800$675

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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