Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Health & Safety
Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.
Schools
Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.
Lead is a small city located in the state of South Dakota. The city has a population of 2,979 people. At 96%, the majority of the Lead population is White; this is followed by 1% Asian and 1% Native Hawaiian. Based on an average age of 52, Lead appears to be well-suited for seniors or retirees as the average age is well above the national average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Lead. With an average one way commute time of only 15 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Lead is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in South Dakota, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Lead, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, commute, health & safety, education, housing and more.
With a livability score of 67/100, Lead is ranked #8,895 in the United States and #88 in South Dakota. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Lead has higher than average grades for the following: housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Lead. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F), education (D) and employment (D-).
The Lead unemployment rate of 2.49% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Lead excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Lead is real estate affordability. The median home price for Lead homes is $157,900, which is 7.6% higher than the South Dakota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lead, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 28.6% higher than the South Dakota average.
| Statistic | Lead | South Dakota | National |
| Average one way commute | 15min | 17min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.3% | 79.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 25.5% | 9.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 0.0% | 5.5% | 4.6% |
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