9 Best Small Towns To Retire In South Dakota In 2024
Mount Rushmore, the big sky, buffalos, the Black Hills, Midwestern charm and chivalry. South Dakota's offerings travel the whole gamut. Winters— they insist—are not brutal here, just unpredictable. And while the state is dotted with towns that are in the middle of nowhere, many more provide convenient access to desirable amenities, including hospitals and shopping venues. To cut to the chase, discover below 9 Best Small Towns to Retire in South Dakota in 2024.
Hill City
Retirees love the fact that Hill City is just a 30-minute drive to Rapid City, South Dakota's second-largest city. Besides being close to Rapid City Regional Airport, which means one can hop on a plane to just about any destination, the location of Hill City comes with convenient access to many amenities a retiree will need, including hospitals and shopping venues. Black Hills Surgical Hospital, for example, is a three-time consecutive recipient of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement Award (2024, 2023, and 2022). Hill Cty's median age stands at 40, which means it is neither wild nor lifeless — while residents aged 60 and above comprise 21% of its population. Since it is smack in the middle of the Black Hills, seniors enjoy a delightful range of outdoor fun and adventure. One can toast to the good old days — a glass of handcrafted wine in hand —at the Prairie Berry Winery, touch dinosaur fossils at the Museum @ Black Hills Institute, or saddle a horse and enjoy an exciting, elevated view of the Black Hills at the Stables at Palmer Gulch. Homes in Hill City are listed for a median price of $694,000.
Madison
A retiree here may not be right on the water, but Lake Herman is remarkably close, just 3 miles from downtown Madison. Lake Herman offers spectacular views and is a superb floating, fishing, and camping venue, especially when the weather permits. If you are tired of cooking your own meals or just want a change, restaurants such as the highly-rated Office Bar & Grill will come in handy. Pipestone National Monument, famous for its sacred quarries and the mesmerizing 20-foot Winnewissa Falls — is less than an hour away. Plus, Dakota State University is right in town and gives discounts on tuition to residents aged 65 and above. Madison's median age is 37, which means you can mingle with a younger crowd and retain your child-like sparkle. The median listing home price in Madison currently stands at $316,800. Since South Dakota's largest city — Sioux Falls — is less than an hour away, this price point is a good bang for the buck.
Milbank
Retiring on the water does not just come with sumptuous waterfront views. There is more to it, including a boost in mental health. Fortunately, retiring in Milbank means one will be just 20 minutes away from Big Stone Lake. This waterbody does not just add to the area's rustic allure. It is the lowest point in South Dakota and provides top-notch fishing opportunities. Besides, a retiree will love to catch fantastic shows at Mill Theatres, enjoy Sunday brunch buffets at the Millstone Family Restaurant, and pick groceries — amid a taste of Latin America — at the Tliolli Hispanic Grocery Store. Boasting a median age of 42, with those aged 60 and above comprising 33% of its population, Milbank's social scene will meet the needs of any empty nester. Regarding access to healthcare, the Milbank Area Health Care Campus boasts an 80% recommendation rate, which is 8% higher than the national average. Still, the best part about retiring here is that homes in Milbank are listed for a median price of just $177,400.
Hot Springs
Often ranked among the best places to retire in South Dakota, Hot Springs is a full plate of fun and adventure. On a balmy summer afternoon, an empty nester will love taking a refreshing dip at the Evans Plunge Mineral Springs — and appreciate why the town has "springs" as part of its name. Also located at the town's doorstep, Upper Chautauqua Park provides access to the Fall River and is a serene oasis laden with scenic trails and lush greenery. On a crisp morning, a brisk walk along the Fall River — which meanders through the center of town — will recalibrate a retiree's biological clock. While one can access Fall River Health Services in a heartbeat, Black Hills Surgical Hospital in Rapid City is often ranked among the best hospitals in the country. Hot Springs boasts a median age of 56; therefore, retiring here comes with a family reunion kind of vibe. Homes in Hot Springs are listed for a median price of $369,900.
Miller
A retiree who does not want to splash money on a retirement home will want to consider Miller. This is because homes in Miller are listed for a median price of just $159,900. At this price point, one may think Miller is in the middle of nowhere with nothing much to write home about. But far from it. Lake Louise is an angler's dream, and the recreation area that encircles it features a shaded camping spot, gorgeous views, and large picnic tables with a fire pit. Plus, the Shakespeare Garden & Anne Hathaway Cottage's charm and serenity can make a first-time visitor's heart skip a beat. It is about an hour's drive from town. And if one wants to understand what good food means, the family-owned Ranch Cafe will be handy. This town's median age is 49.3 — almost 50, so a senior can easily join a circle of similarly-aged folks and share rich and helpful experiences.
Dakota Dunes
Pools, fountains, and heat-melting greenery. It is difficult not to fall in love with Dakota Dunes, a picturesque master-planned community located just 7 miles from downtown Sioux City, the fourth-most populous city in Iowa. One would expect the main advantage of retiring here is the convenient access to amenities, including hospitals, shopping venues, and other cultural attractions. Not quite — or only partly. For example, Dunes Surgical Hospital is right in town and has received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award for three consecutive years (2024, 2023, and 2022). Boasting a median age of 41, this town's social landscape strikes the sweet spot between young and old: a vibrant atmosphere and a laid-back ambiance. And there is so much to do, including enjoying a family dinner at P's Pizza House — or exploring outdoor spaces nearby, such as the scenic Stone State Park — as well as Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. That said, homes in Dakota Dunes are listed for a median price of $615,000.
Webster
While Webster is small and boasts just about 1,700 residents, it has a nice bowling alley (L & L Lanes), nice eateries ( You need to sample Pereboom's Cafe's rhubarb pies), and is within an earshot of the Jumbo perch-laden Waubay Lake. While Sanford Webster Medical Center will meet the medical needs of a retiree, Aberdeen, home to the highly-rated Avera St. Luke's Hospital, is less than an hour's drive. Sisseton, home to the panoramic Nicollet Tower & Interpretive Center, is just as close. Webster's median age stands at about 42; however, residents aged 60 and above comprise 32% of its population. This means you will have friends who, like you, are blooming into their golden years. Finally, homes here are listed for a median price of just $198,000.
Spearfish
While you will not want to retire here just to spear fish — as the Natives used to do several decades ago — you will enjoy a delightful array of this town's retirement appeals, including Spearfish Canyon, a heart-gripping drive-through spot known to provide heart-in-mouth experiences. Besides, life here comes with exploring sparkling cascades such as Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Roughlock Falls. Plus, retirees who want to enjoy a sizzling Mexican dish will find Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant and Bar phenomenal — or almost phenomenal. While the town's median age stands at 38, residents aged 60 and above comprise 31% of its population; hence, every third person down the street is probably a folk in the same age bracket with whom you can reminisce about life's flowers and thorns. In addition, one will not need to make an out-of-town trip in case of a medical emergency. The well-rated Monument Health Spearfish Hospital is right in town. However, all these come at a cost. The median home listing price in Spearfish currently stands at $654,000.
Custer
Because it is nestled in the picturesque Black Hills, Custer provides unmatched access to outdoor fun and adventure. Custer State Park, one of the area's defining attractions, provides a world of adventure. The glittering waters of Sylvan Lake provide excellent floating opportunities — while scenic trails in the park provide opportunities for both much-needful exercise and beautiful views. Mount Rushmore, the defining attraction in South Dakota — and the feature that gifts the state its nickname — is an easy 30-minute drive. Boasting a median age of 57, Custer is a big-tent gathering of fellow empty nesters. Plus, the highly-rated Monument Health Custer Hospital is right at your doorstep. However, for more options, Rapid City is less than an hour's drive away. The median home listing price in Custer currently stands at about $625,000.
The Takeaway
Sunny faces — if not sunny weather — provide a warm welcome to those retiring in South Dakota. To the outdoorsy, Mount Rushmore State is an adventure wonderland that will keep one engaged, whether floating down a river or climbing a jugged peak. For those seeking to retire here, South Dakota is dotted with numerous small towns, many of which come with fantastic access to desirable amenities, including hospitals. This delightful array includes Hill City, Madison, Milbank, and Hot Springs. Just make your pick and start scouting for a licensed real estate agent.
