Moving to Gayville, South Dakota

Gayville, South Dakota is a small city located in the southeastern part of the state. It has a population of around 5,000 people and is located on the banks of the Big Sioux River. The geography of Gayville is mostly flat with rolling hills to the north and east. The climate in Gayville is typical for South Dakota, with hot summers and cold winters.

The history of Gayville dates back to 1882 when it was first settled by European immigrants looking for a new home. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant community that values its rich cultural heritage. Politically, Gayville is aligned with the Republican Party and has voted consistently for conservative candidates over the years.

The economy in Gayville is mainly agricultural-based, with many family farms still operating in the area. There are also several small businesses that provide goods and services to residents and visitors alike. Schools in Gayville are well-regarded by local parents as they offer excellent educational opportunities to students from kindergarten through high school.

Landmarks in Gayville include the historic courthouse built in 1911, which houses county offices and records, as well as an old wooden water tower that stands tall over Main Street. Other notable attractions include Lake Madison Park, which features a large lake for swimming or boating activities; Beaver Creek Natural Area which offers hiking trails; and Cedar Lakes Golf Course which provides an 18-hole golfing experience for all levels of skill.

Population: 418. Estimated population in July 2024: 393 (-6.0% change)
Males: 199 (47.6%), Females: 219 (52.4%)

Zip code: 57031

Demographics

Median resident age: 36.3 years
Median household income: $35,000
Median house value: $52,100

Population by Race

Races in Gayville:

  • White Non-Hispanic (95.5%)
  • American Indian (3.8%)
  • Two or more races (1.2%)

Ancestries: German (35.4%), Norwegian (23.2%), United States (11.5%), Irish (9.1%), Danish (8.6%), Dutch (7.9%).

Land area: 0.2 square miles

Population by Education

Gayville, South Dakota is a small, rural town in the southeast corner of the state. It is home to just over 1,000 people and has a median household income of $47,400. The cost of living in Gayville is lower than the national average and most expenses, such as groceries and utilities, are relatively inexpensive. Housing costs are also more affordable than in other areas of the state; the median home value is around $130,000.

The population of Gayville consists mostly of families with children; nearly 40% of households have at least one child under 18 years old. The majority of residents are employed in agriculture or manufacturing jobs and there are few opportunities for higher-paying positions. Despite this, there is a strong sense of community among residents and many participate in local events such as farmers markets or music festivals. There are also several churches located throughout town and many residents take part in community service activities. Education levels vary but most adults have at least a high school diploma or equivalent; only 10% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. Overall, Gayville is a peaceful community with strong family values that offers an affordable quality of life for its residents.

For population 25 years and over in Gayville

  • High school or higher: 92.0%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.2%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 2.0%
  • Unemployed: 3.6%
  • Mean travel time to work: 19.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Gayville town

  • Never married: 19.1%
  • Now married: 61.2%
  • Separated: 0.7%
  • Widowed: 7.4%
  • Divorced: 11.7%

0.0% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +16 (+4.0%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Gayville:

  • AVERA SACRED HEART HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; YANKTON, SD)
  • LEWIS AND CLARK SPECIALTY HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; YANKTON, SD)
  • SOUTH DAKOTA HUMAN SERVICES CENTER (about 17 miles; YANKTON, SD)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Gayville:

  • CHAN GURNEY MUNI (about 15 miles; YANKTON, SD; Abbreviation: YKN)
  • JOE FOSS FIELD (about 56 miles; SIOUX FALLS, SD; Abbreviation: FSD)
  • SIOUX GATEWAY/COL. BUD DAY FIELD (about 65 miles; SIOUX CITY, IA; Abbreviation: SUX)

Other public-use airports nearest to Gayville:

  • HAROLD DAVIDSON FIELD (about 20 miles; VERMILLION, SD; Abbreviation: VMR)
  • HARTINGTON MUNI (about 21 miles; HARTINGTON, NE; Abbreviation: 0B4)
  • BLOOMFIELD MUNI (about 41 miles; BLOOMFIELD, NE; Abbreviation: 84Y)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Gayville:

  • UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA (about 17 miles; VERMILLION, SD; Full-time enrollment: 6,014)
  • WAYNE STATE COLLEGE (about 47 miles; WAYNE, NE; Full-time enrollment: 3,026)
  • WESTERN IOWA TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 70 miles; SIOUX CITY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,639)
  • NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 74 miles; NORFOLK, NE; Full-time enrollment: 2,732)
  • SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 106 miles; BROOKINGS, SD; Full-time enrollment: 7,353)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA (about 130 miles; OMAHA, NE; Full-time enrollment: 10,150)
  • CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY (about 130 miles; OMAHA, NE; Full-time enrollment: 5,806)

Schools

Public high school in Gayville:

  • GAYVILLE-VOLIN HI SCH (Students: 83; Location: 100 KINGSBURY; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Gayville:

  • GAYVILLE-VOLIN ELEM (Students: 144; Location: 100 KINGSBURY; Grades: PK – 05)
  • GAYVILLE-VOLIN MIDDLE SCH (Students: 55; Location: 100 KINGSBURY; Grades: 06 – 08)