Moving to Elkton, South Dakota
Elkton is a small town located in the state of South Dakota with a population of around 1,100 people. The town is surrounded by rolling hills and prairies, with the Missouri River running through it. Elkton has a humid continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. The area has been inhabited since the late 1800s, when settlers came to establish farms and ranches in the area.
In terms of politics, Elkton follows a mayor-council form of government. The economy is mainly based on agriculture and ranching, as well as some light industry. There are several schools in the area, including two elementary schools and one high school, all part of the Elkton Public School District. There are also several private schools in the area for those seeking a more specialized education.
The city has several landmarks that draw visitors from all over South Dakota and beyond. These include historic sites like Fort Sully National Historic Site, which served as an important trading post during its time; as well as natural attractions like Badlands National Park which offers breathtaking views of eroded buttes and canyons; or Lewis & Clark Recreation Area which offers scenic trails for hiking and camping opportunities. Additionally, there are many golf courses available for those looking to enjoy some outdoor recreation. No matter what you’re looking for in terms of activities or attractions you’ll likely find something to suit your needs in Elkton!
Population: 677. Estimated population in July 2024: 619 (-8.6% change)
Males: 332 (49.0%), Females: 345 (51.0%)
Brookings County
Zip code: 57026
Demographics
Median resident age: 39.1 years
Median household income: $36,667
Median house value: $52,700
Population by Race
Races in Elkton:
- White Non-Hispanic (98.5%)
- Two or more races (0.7%)
- American Indian (0.6%)
Ancestries: German (58.6%), Irish (15.4%), Norwegian (12.7%), United States (6.1%), Dutch (5.5%), Swedish (4.9%).
Elevation: 1751 feet
Land area: 1.6 square miles
Population by Education
Elkton, South Dakota is a small rural town located in the southeastern corner of the state. It has a population of approximately 1,100 people and is home to many small family farms. The town offers a variety of amenities such as local restaurants, grocery stores, and churches. The cost of living in Elkton is quite low compared to other cities in South Dakota and the rest of the United States. The median household income is around $35,000 per year and the median home value is around $90,000. Renting an apartment or house in Elkton can cost anywhere from $400 to $800 per month depending on size and location. Utilities are also very reasonable with average electric bills being around $80 per month and water bills being around $40 per month. Property taxes are relatively low at about 1% of assessed value for residential properties. Overall, Elkton provides its residents with an affordable cost of living that allows them to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without breaking the bank.
For population 25 years and over in Elkton
- High school or higher: 79.5%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.5%
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4%
- Unemployed: 1.2%
- Mean travel time to work: 22.0 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Elkton city
- Never married: 20.7%
- Now married: 65.1%
- Separated: 0.8%
- Widowed: 8.0%
- Divorced: 5.4%
0.3% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: +74 (+12.3%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Elkton:
- FLANDREAU MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL-CAH (about 15 miles; FLANDREAU, SD)
- PIPESTONE COUNTY MED CTR & ASHTON CC (about 19 miles; PIPESTONE, MN)
- HENDRICKS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 20 miles; HENDRICKS, MN)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Elkton:
- BROOKINGS MUNI (about 24 miles; BROOKINGS, SD; Abbreviation: BKX)
- JOE FOSS FIELD (about 50 miles; SIOUX FALLS, SD; Abbreviation: FSD)
- WATERTOWN MUNI (about 65 miles; WATERTOWN, SD; Abbreviation: ATY)
Other public-use airports nearest to Elkton:
- FLANDREAU MUNI (about 18 miles; FLANDREAU, SD; Abbreviation: 4P3)
- PIPESTONE MUNI (about 23 miles; PIPESTONE, MN; Abbreviation: PQN)
- TYLER MUNI (about 24 miles; TYLER, MN; Abbreviation: 63Y)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Elkton:
- SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 24 miles; BROOKINGS, SD; Full-time enrollment: 7,353)
- SOUTHWEST STATE UNIVERSITY (about 52 miles; MARSHALL, MN; Full-time enrollment: 3,405)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA (about 103 miles; VERMILLION, SD; Full-time enrollment: 6,014)
- RIDGEWATER COLLEGE (about 117 miles; WILLMAR, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,711)
- WESTERN IOWA TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 129 miles; SIOUX CITY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,639)
- NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE (about 141 miles; WAHPETON, ND; Full-time enrollment: 2,176)
- BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY (about 142 miles; STORM LAKE, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,524)
Schools
Public high school in Elkton:
- ELKTON HI SCH (Students: 120; Location: 508 BUFFALO ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
Public primary/middle schools in Elkton:
- ELKTON ELEM (Students: 158; Location: 508 BUFFALO ST; Grades: PK – 06)
- ELKTON JR HI (Students: 56; Location: 508 BUFFALO ST; Grades: 07 – 08)
- NEWDALE COLONY (Students: 11; Location: RR2 BOX 48; Grades: KG – 08)
Libraries
Library in Elkton:
- ELKTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY (Operating income: $52,639; Location: 508 BUFFALO ST; 11,206 books; 328 audio materials; 224 video materials; 30 serial subscriptions)