What are the schools like in Summerset, SD?

Summerset is served primarily by Meade School District 46-1. The district operates 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.2:1.

What is the median household income in Summerset?

The median household income in Summerset, SD is $98,194 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 1.9%.

What is the weather like in Summerset, SD?

Summerset has an average high temperature of 36.9°F in January and 83.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 18.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 36.1 inches.

Summerset, SD Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Summerset, SD affordable or expensive?

Summerset's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Summerset is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $290,500 and the median rent is $1,276 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Summerset, SD?

Summerset has a violent crime rate of 66.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 565.2 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Summerset, SD a Good Place to Live?

Summerset is a small town of 2,950 in South Dakota, with a median household income of $98,194 and a 1.9% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Summerset stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B+), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Summerset is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Summerset city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 90.3

Summerset's overall cost of living index is 90.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Summerset costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Summerset, SD	National Avg
Median Home Value	$290,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,276	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	78.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$98,194	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Summerset's violent crime rate is 66.5 per 100,000 residents — 82% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

66.5 /100k

Property Crime

565.2 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Summerset is served primarily by Meade School District 46-1. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Summerset, SD	National Avg
School District	Meade School District 46-1	—
Elementary Schools	8	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	40.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	97.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Summerset sees average highs of 36.9°F in January and 83.6°F in July, with 18.8 inches of annual precipitation and 36.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Summerset, SD
Average High — January	36.9°F
Average High — July	83.6°F
Annual Precipitation	18.8"
Annual Snowfall	36.1"

Demographics

Metric	Summerset, SD	National Avg
Population	2,950	—
Median Age	33.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	1.9%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.6 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	95.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.1%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.4%	18.9%
Asian	1.4%	6.3%
Under 18	28.4%	22.2%
65 and over	11.1%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Wonderland Homes, SD 1 mi Piedmont, SD 2 mi Blackhawk, SD 3 mi Johnson Siding, SD 9 mi Rapid City, SD 10 mi

Summerset vs Other Cities

Summerset, SD vs Wonderland Homes, SD Summerset, SD vs Piedmont, SD Summerset, SD vs Blackhawk, SD Summerset, SD vs Johnson Siding, SD Summerset, SD vs Rapid City, SD

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Summerset, SD affordable or expensive?

Summerset's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Summerset roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $290,500 and median rent is $1,276/month.

What is the crime rate in Summerset, SD?

Summerset's violent crime rate is 66.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 565.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Summerset?

Public schools in Summerset are operated by Meade School District 46-1. The district has 8 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.2:1. 40.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Summerset, SD a good place to live?

Summerset, SD has a population of 2,950, a median household income of $98,194, and an unemployment rate of 1.9%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Summerset?

Summerset averages 36.9°F in January and 83.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 18.8 inches with about 36.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Summerset?

The population of Summerset, South Dakota is 2,950 with a median age of 33.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Summerset?

Key numbers for living in Summerset: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $290,500, median household income $98,194, crime index 21 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Summerset side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.