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Moving to Hot Springs, South Dakota

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Hot Springs, South Dakota is a small town located in the southwestern corner of the state. It is nestled in the Black Hills, just a few miles from the Wyoming border. With its quaint downtown and beautiful surrounding scenery, Hot Springs has been a popular destination for tourists for many years.

The history of Hot Springs dates back to 1883 when a group of settlers chose this area to establish a health spa. The natural hot springs that were discovered in the area were thought to have healing properties and people came from all over to take advantage of them. Over time, more businesses began popping up around the springs and soon enough Hot Springs had become an established town.

Today, Hot Springs is home to about 3,500 people who enjoy the small-town atmosphere and stunning scenic views that this area offers. The downtown area has been well preserved with many historic buildings still standing today including some of the original bathhouses from when it was originally established as a health spa. There are also several antique stores where visitors can find unique items from days gone by as well as modern shops offering clothing, artwork and other goods.

Outdoor activities are abundant in Hot Springs with numerous trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding throughout the Black Hills National Forest. Anglers can take their pick from several nearby lakes or try their luck at fly fishing in one of the many streams that run through this region. Hunting is also popular here with deer, antelope, elk and bighorn sheep making their home in these hills.

In addition to outdoor recreation opportunities, Hot Springs also hosts several annual events including Buffalo Roundup Days which celebrates local history with live music performances and rodeos; Arts & Crafts Fair featuring works by local artists; Music Fest which showcases national acts; and more recently added events like Bike Week which brings thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts into town each summer for three days of fun on two wheels.

Hot Springs truly has something for everyone whether you’re looking for adventure or just want to relax and take it easy while enjoying all that this charming little town has to offer.

Population: 4,129. Estimated population in July 2024: 4,102 (-0.7% change)
Males: 2,193 (53.1%), Females: 1,936 (46.9%)

Fall River County

Zip code: 57747

Demographics

Median resident age: 44.9 years
Median household income: $27,079
Median house value: $58,700

Population by Race

Races in Hot Springs:

  • White Non-Hispanic (86.7%)
  • American Indian (10.3%)
  • Two or more races (3.1%)
  • Hispanic (1.9%)

Ancestries: German (36.3%), English (13.1%), Irish (10.9%), Norwegian (10.2%), Swedish (4.5%), United States (3.2%).

Elevation: 3464 feet

Land area: 2.9 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Hot Springs

  • High school or higher: 81.1%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.7%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 7.8%
  • Unemployed: 9.5%
  • Mean travel time to work: 18.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Hot Springs city

  • Never married: 21.5%
  • Now married: 51.9%
  • Separated: 2.5%
  • Widowed: 7.1%
  • Divorced: 17.0%

0.4% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -241 (-5.5%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Hot Springs:

  • FALL RIVER HOSPITAL – CAH (209 N 16TH ST)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Hot Springs:

  • CUSTER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL – CAH (about 27 miles; CUSTER, SD)
  • BLACK HILLS SURGERY CENTER LLP (about 49 miles; RAPID CITY, SD)
  • IHS PHS INDIAN HOSPITAL (about 49 miles; RAPID CITY, SD)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Hot Springs:

  • RAPID CITY REGIONAL (about 51 miles; RAPID CITY, SD; Abbreviation: RAP)
  • ELLSWORTH AFB (about 55 miles; RAPID CITY, SD; Abbreviation: RCA)
  • ALLIANCE MUNI (about 106 miles; ALLIANCE, NE; Abbreviation: AIA)

Other public-use airports nearest to Hot Springs:

  • HOT SPRINGS MUNI (about 8 miles; HOT SPRINGS, SD; Abbreviation: HSR)
  • CUSTER STATE PARK (about 22 miles; FAIRBURN, SD; Abbreviation: 3V0)
  • CUSTER COUNTY (about 22 miles; CUSTER, SD; Abbreviation: CUT)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Hot Springs:

  • SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY (about 49 miles; RAPID CITY, SD; Full-time enrollment: 2,002)
  • CHADRON STATE COLLEGE (about 54 miles; CHADRON, NE; Full-time enrollment: 2,144)
  • BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 78 miles; SPEARFISH, SD; Full-time enrollment: 3,190)
  • CASPER COLLEGE (about 199 miles; CASPER, WY; Full-time enrollment: 2,564)
  • UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING (about 200 miles; LARAMIE, WY; Full-time enrollment: 9,665)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO (about 225 miles; GREELEY, CO; Full-time enrollment: 10,983)
  • AIMS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 228 miles; GREELEY, CO; Full-time enrollment: 3,722)

Schools

Public high school in Hot Springs:

  • HOT SPRINGS HI SCH (Students: 315; Location: 146 N 16TH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Hot Springs:

  • HOT SPRINGS ELEM (Students: 344; Location: 19TH & LINCOLN AVE; Grades: PK – 05)
  • HOT SPRINGS MIDDLE SCH (Students: 214; Location: 146 N 16TH ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • ORAL ELEM (Students: 22; Location: 1609 UNIVERSITY AVE; Grades: KG – 08)

Private primary/middle school in Hot Springs:

  • BETHESDA LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 43; Location: 1537 BALTIMORE; Grades: KG – 6)

Libraries

Library in Hot Springs:

  • HOT SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $98,474; Location: 1543 BALTIMORE; 17,203 books; 539 audio materials; 1,308 video materials; 69 serial subscriptions)

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