What are the schools like in Vermillion, SD?

Vermillion is served primarily by Vermillion School District 13-1. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.7:1.

What is the median household income in Vermillion?

The median household income in Vermillion, SD is $47,813 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 10.0%.

What is the weather like in Vermillion, SD?

Vermillion has an average high temperature of 30.5°F in January and 85.5°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 28.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 36.2 inches.

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

Q: Is Vermillion, SD affordable or expensive?

Vermillion's cost of living index is 92, where 100 represents the national average. This means Vermillion is 8% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $192,400 and the median rent is $746 per month.

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

Vermillion has a violent crime rate of 181.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1164.3 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Vermillion, SD a Good Place to Live?

Vermillion is a small city of 11,667 in South Dakota, with a median household income of $47,813 and a 10.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is 8% below the national average.

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

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Vermillion is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Vermillion 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: 91.6

Vermillion's overall cost of living index is 91.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Vermillion costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.

Metric	Vermillion, SD	National Avg
Median Home Value	$192,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$746	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	41.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$47,813	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Vermillion's violent crime rate is 181.7 per 100,000 residents — 52% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

181.7 /100k

Property Crime

1164.3 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Vermillion is served primarily by Vermillion School District 13-1. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Vermillion, SD	National Avg
School District	Vermillion School District 13-1	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	43.2%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	92.4%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Vermillion sees average highs of 30.5°F in January and 85.5°F in July, with 28.0 inches of annual precipitation and 36.2 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Vermillion, SD
Average High — January	30.5°F
Average High — July	85.5°F
Annual Precipitation	28.0"
Annual Snowfall	36.2"

Demographics

Metric	Vermillion, SD	National Avg
Population	11,667	—
Median Age	23.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	10.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	15.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	84.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.6%	18.9%
Asian	3.8%	6.3%
Under 18	16.1%	22.2%
65 and over	8.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Burbank, SD 5 mi Maskell, NE 7 mi Obert, NE 8 mi Meckling, SD 8 mi Newcastle, NE 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Vermillion

Vermillion, SD is covered by 1 ZIP code:

57069

Vermillion vs Other Cities

Vermillion, SD vs Burbank, SD Vermillion, SD vs Maskell, NE Vermillion, SD vs Obert, NE Vermillion, SD vs Meckling, SD Vermillion, SD vs Newcastle, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vermillion, SD affordable or expensive?

Vermillion's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average. That makes Vermillion roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $192,400 and median rent is $746/month.

What is the crime rate in Vermillion, SD?

Vermillion's violent crime rate is 181.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1164.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Vermillion?

Public schools in Vermillion are operated by Vermillion School District 13-1. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.7:1. 43.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Vermillion, SD a good place to live?

Vermillion, SD has a population of 11,667, a median household income of $47,813, and an unemployment rate of 10.0%. 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 Vermillion?

Vermillion averages 30.5°F in January and 85.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 28.0 inches with about 36.2 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Vermillion?

Vermillion, SD is covered by 1 ZIP code: 57069.

What is the population of Vermillion?

The population of Vermillion, South Dakota is 11,667 with a median age of 23.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Vermillion?

Key numbers for living in Vermillion: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $192,400, median household income $47,813, crime index 51 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Vermillion side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.