Living in Lead, South Dakota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Lead · Census data 2020–2024
Lead has 3,006 residents with a median age of 46.5. The median household income is $73,047 (about the same as the South Dakota median), the median home value is $189,400, the median rent is $835/month.
Lead at a glance
- Population
- 3,006
- Median age
- 46.5State: 38
- Median household income
- $73,047State: $75,081
- Median home value
- $189,400State: $257,400
- Median rent
- $835/moState: $946
- Homeowners
- 70.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20.5%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Lead a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 26% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0%; a poverty rate of 7.5%.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the South Dakota median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Lead
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Lead the median home value is $189,400, 43% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $835 per month, which is 24.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,276 a month in housing costs.
Lead median household income
The median household income in Lead is $73,047 and the income per person is $38,887. 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line (South Dakota: 11.9%).
Housing in Lead: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,679
- Owner-occupied
- 70.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 29.7%
- Vacant
- 19.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.23
Lead demographics
- Population
- 3,006
- Median age
- 46.5
- Under 18
- 14.7%
- 65 and older
- 27.2%
- Households
- 1,345
- Foreign-born
- 0.9%
- Veterans
- 9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Lead ›
Education in Lead
20.5% of adults 25 and older in Lead have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Dakota: 31.9%), and 5.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Lead
- Unemployment rate
- 0%State: 2.9%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 18 min
- Work from home
- 2%
- Drive alone
- 71.6%
- Public transit
- 2.2%
- Walk to work
- 0.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 79.4%
Lead vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 3,006 | $73,047 | $189,400 | $835 |
| Central City | 140 | $47,000 | $208,300 | — |
| Deadwood | 1,209 | $40,179 | $226,500 | $702 |
| Crook City | 279 | $139,926 | $463,300 | — |
| Boulder Canyon | 841 | $74,281 | $597,800 | — |
| Mountain Plains | 350 | $248,558 | $613,200 | — |
| Whitewood | 912 | $77,500 | $243,300 | $946 |
| Spearfish | 12,930 | $65,688 | $346,200 | $963 |
| North Spearfish | 1,858 | $76,809 | $356,200 | $1,264 |
More for people moving to Lead
Lead ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Lead: FAQ
What is the median household income in Lead, SD?
The median household income in Lead is $73,047, about the same as 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 Lead?
The median home value in Lead is $189,400, compared with $257,400 in South Dakota.
How much is rent in Lead?
The median gross rent in Lead is $835 per month, about 24.7% of household income.
Is Lead, SD a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 26% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0%; a poverty rate of 7.5%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the South Dakota median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
What is the median age in Lead?
The median age in Lead is 46.5 years (South Dakota: 38).
How long is the commute in Lead?
The average commute to work in Lead is 20 minutes; 2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Lead?
The unemployment rate in Lead is 0% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Lead?
20.5% of adults in Lead 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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