7 Best Towns In South Dakota For Retirees

If you seek affordability, excellent health care, friendly communities, and plenty of the great outdoors for your ideal retirement location, consider South Dakota. The cost of living in this state is a substantial 17% lower than the national average. There is no state income tax, which means your retirement income, such as Social Security and pensions, will not be taxed at the state level. The network of hospitals and health care is comprehensive and accessible. The state's population is on the lower end, with only 924,669 residents, less than each of the top ten largest cities in the United States, so open spaces and close-knit communities are abundant. Being primarily rural, South Dakota will not fit the bill if you desire to retire in or near an urban area. Also, it gets cold and snowy in the winter, so make sure this suits your weather tolerances before moving. If South Dakota sounds like it may be for you, read below about the seven best retirement towns.

Aberdeen

Located in northeastern South Dakota, this mid-sized town of 28,495 is large enough to offer plentiful amenities while maintaining a small-town feel. You can jump right in and get involved with the community through the Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center, which offers programs in dance, visual arts, and music; events like the Aberdeen Area Senior Games; and classes such as Introduction to Wildlife Photography and Loom Weaving. If you have a green thumb or enjoy working the soil outside, check out the Aberdeen Community Gardens. Since the 1970's, this site has provided gardeners without available land a place to grow their crops. Today, there are 161 plots, each measuring around 1,200 square feet, and best of all, the cost is only $20 for the season. If a stroll in nature is more your style, take to the trails in 210-acre Wyle Park. The park also has go-karts, mini-golf, and paddle boats, if you’re in the mood for a little more excitement.

The cost of living in Aberdeen is very reasonable, being 21% under the national average. A home is also affordable, with an average price of $205,500. Healthcare options are excellent, as the area is served by two hospitals, Avera St. Luke’s Hospital and Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, both with emergency care and a full range of specialties. Likewise, retirement living options are plentiful, such as Derian Lodge Senior Living, which offers independent living.

Spearfish

If a bit more rugged, the “western” landscape is more your retirement style, so you will want to check out Spearfish. This town of 13,803 residents is located in the northern Black Hills and has access to many outdoor activities while still being affordable. The cost of living here is 8% below the national average, and the median home price is $309,200. Spearfish Canyon State Nature Area will be at your doorstep for easy access to hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and many other activities. There is also plenty to do in town, like visiting the High Plains Western Heritage Center, connecting with the area’s history, or stopping in at the Termesphere Gallery to view some truly spectacular artwork.

Healthcare is easily accessible at Monument Health Spearfish and Emergency care, a 35-bed facility with specialties including general surgery, orthopedics, and physical therapy. You will also find many retirement options here, such as Edgewood Spearfish, which provides 55+ housing, independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

Madison

Madison needs to be on your radar if you love being near the water. Located between Lake Madison and Lake Herman, there is ample opportunity for fishing, boating, and swimming. Lakeside, you will also find Lake Herman State Park, where you can easily access hiking and camping. This hamlet of 6,091 provides many opportunities for retirees to be involved in the community. Attend adult education seminars or join a fitness class at the Madison Community Center. The Madison Senior Citizen Center is also an excellent resource, with workshops, fitness classes, and events where you can connect with others.

This town is affordable, with the cost of living 20% below the national average and a median home price of $191,400. Madison Regional Health System meets healthcare needs, with 22 beds and an emergency department, among other specialties. Two retirement housing options to consider are Bethel Lutheran Home and Peaceful Pines Senior Living at Madison, both of which offer independent and assisted living.

Yankton

Set along the Missouri River on the border between South Dakota and Nebraska, Yankton, population 15,630, is a town where you can enjoy an active lifestyle, a low cost of living, and accessible healthcare. Just west of town, 25 miles away, is a 25-mile-long Lewis and Clark Lake, created by the Gavins Point Dam. There are multiple parks to explore, including Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area, where you can fish, rent a boat, or spend time on one of the beaches and feel the sand between your toes. There is also a wealth of history to learn, as Yankton was the capital of the Dakota Territory until 1889. You can explore this history at the Mead Museum or get more involved with the Yankton County Historical Society.

With a cost of living 25% below the national average and a median home price of $202,300, your retirement savings can stretch far. Avera Sacred Heart Hospital is right in town, has 229 staffed beds, and offers a comprehensive list of services. Many retirement community options include Majestic Bluffs, which is associated with the hospital and offers independent living, assisted living, nursing care, and amenities such as a billiards room and indoor wellness center.

Vermillion

For some, retiring in a college town provides just the right blend of community and access to cultural and educational opportunities. Vermillion is a town, home to the University of South Dakota (USD). Through the university, join the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which tailors its programs for those 50 and older and offers many classes covering art, history, science, and more. If you are a sports fan, the USD Coyotes field six men's and ten women’s teams for you to follow and join the fun at competitions. In addition to the university, this town of 11,695 has more to offer. Situated overlooking the Missouri River, residents have easy access to the outdoors through hiking and camping in Clay County Park, or follow in the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and climb the three-quarter mile path to the top of Spirit Mound Historic Prairie to soak in the history and views.

With an average home price of $210,200 and the cost of living being 21% below the national average, you get a lot for your money in Vermillion. Access to quality healthcare is excellent with the Sanford Vermillion Medical Center right in town. This 25-bed critical access hospital offers surgery, cardiology, and physical therapy specialties. Retirement living options include Dakota Gardens Senior Living and Parkview Apartments Senior Living.

Huron

The first hint that Huron is slightly different is the giant pheasant statue on the town’s east side. Touted as the “World’s Largest Pheasant” and stretching over 40 feet from beak to tail, it is a sight to behold. Also surprising, with only 14,263 residents, Huron is the hometown of former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and Gladys Pyle, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate.

There are many activities for you to enjoy here. The fairgrounds host the annual South Dakota State Fair and hold events year-round, such as motorsports racing at the Dakota State Fair Speedway. Or, to just enjoy nature, take a walk from Memorial Park to Ravine Lake Recreation Area for some fishing, boating, or having a picnic.

The cost of living in Huron is 22% lower than the national average, and the median home price is $164,700. Huron Regional Medical Center, a 25-bed facility with a wide range of services, including emergency, pain management, and hospice, serves community medical needs. Multiple retirement living options are available, such as The Wellshire, which offers both independent and assisted living.

Brookings

Brookings is a vibrant college town of 24,312 residents with easy access to culture and nature. It is the home of South Dakota State University (SDSU), where retirees can enroll in adult education classes through the SDSU Extension Program. Many programs are tailored for older adults, such as Enhanced Fitness and Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention. Also on the university's campus, you will find the South Dakota Art Museum. The exhibits frequently rotate so that you can return year after year for a fresh dose of artwork, and to top it of,f admission is free. When it is time to head outdoors for some fresh air, Brookings does not lack for options. Two favorite places are Dakota Nature Park, where you can enjoy walking paths and lakes, and McCrory Gardens, a 25-acre botanical garden and 45-acre arboretum.

Brookings Health System, which includes the 49-bed Brookings Hospital, meets the community's medical needs. There are many options for retirement living, such as Peaceful Pines Senior Living, which provides independent living, assisted living, memory care, and adult day services. The cost of living in Brookings is 21% below the national average, and the average home price is $243,600.

South Dakota has become a more popular destination for retirees in recent years, and it is easy to see why. It offers low cost of living, affordable home prices, welcoming communities, a strong healthcare system, and access to outdoor recreation. So, if you would rather see sweeping prairies and the Black Hills than skyscrapers and crowds, give South Dakota a look. It may fit perfectly into your golden years goals.