Lake Norden, South Dakota Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools
Lake Norden, South Dakota is a small city located in the southeastern corner of the state. It has a population of just over 1,000 people. The geography of Lake Norden is characterized by rolling hills and flat plains. The climate is continental with warm summers and cold winters.
The history of Lake Norden dates back to the late 1800s when it was settled by immigrants from Germany and Norway. In 1901, the town was officially incorporated as a city. Since then, it has been a quiet farming community that remains relatively unchanged from its original roots.
Politically, Lake Norden is represented at the state level by Senator John Thune and Representative Dusty Johnson in Congress. At the local level, there are two City Council members who are elected to serve four-year terms. The current mayor is Bill Anderson who was elected in 2016 to serve a four-year term as well.
The economy of Lake Norden is largely based on agriculture with many small family farms producing corn, soybeans, and wheat for sale in local markets or for export outside of the state. There are also several small businesses located within city limits offering goods and services to locals as well as tourists visiting the area during peak season months each year.
Lake Norden also has two schools: one elementary school serving grades K-6th grade and one high school serving grades 7th-12th grade with an enrollment of approximately 500 students between both schools combined. Both schools are part of the Hamlin County School District which provides educational opportunities for students throughout the county as well as special programs such as Advanced Placement classes and dual credit college courses for those looking to further their education after high school graduation.
Lake Norden boasts several landmarks including historic sites such as Fort Sisseton State Park which dates back to 1864 when settlers first began arriving in what would later become Hamlin County; Lake Sisseton which provides recreational opportunities such as swimming, fishing, and boating; Spink County Museum which houses artifacts from all around South Dakota; and De Smet Golf Course which offers 18 holes of golfing fun for all skill levels year round.
Population: 432. Estimated population in July 2024: 433 (+0.2% change)
Males: 206 (47.7%), Females: 226 (52.3%)
Hamlin County
Zip code: 57248
Demographics
Median resident age: 43.0 years
Median household income: $28,194
Median house value: $33,800
Population by Race
Races in Lake Norden:
- White Non-Hispanic (97.2%)
- American Indian (1.4%)
- Hispanic (0.9%)
Ancestries: Norwegian (29.6%), German (27.8%), Swedish (13.9%), Irish (7.9%), Danish (4.4%), English (2.5%).
Elevation: 1680 feet
Land area: 0.7 square miles
Population by Education
Lake Norden, South Dakota is a small town located in Hamlin County with a population of 705 people, according to the 2010 census. The cost of living in Lake Norden is relatively low compared to the national average, making it an attractive place for those looking for an affordable lifestyle. The median home value is $67,500 and the median rent is only $657 per month. The unemployment rate in the area is 4.5%, which is lower than the national average of 5%. The area has a variety of housing options ranging from single family homes to apartments and townhomes. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops in town, including a grocery store and pharmacy. In addition to being affordable, Lake Norden also offers plenty of recreational activities such as fishing, camping and hiking. The area also has several parks and playgrounds for children to enjoy. Finally, Lake Norden has excellent schools with teachers who are dedicated to helping students succeed academically.
For population 25 years and over in Lake Norden
- High school or higher: 73.1%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.9%
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3%
- Unemployed: 1.5%
- Mean travel time to work: 17.7 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Lake Norden city
- Never married: 21.2%
- Now married: 54.6%
- Separated: 0.0%
- Widowed: 18.8%
- Divorced: 5.4%
0.5% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: +6 (+1.4%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Lake Norden:
- MEMORIAL CARE UNIT (about 24 miles; WATERTOWN, SD)
- PRAIRIE LAKES HOSP & CARE CTR (about 24 miles; WATERTOWN, SD)
- DESMET MEMORIAL HOSP (about 30 miles; DE SMET, SD)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Lake Norden:
- WATERTOWN MUNI (about 23 miles; WATERTOWN, SD; Abbreviation: ATY)
- BROOKINGS MUNI (about 34 miles; BROOKINGS, SD; Abbreviation: BKX)
- HURON REGIONAL (about 72 miles; HURON, SD; Abbreviation: HON)
Other public-use airports nearest to Lake Norden:
- ARLINGTON MUNI (about 16 miles; ARLINGTON, SD; Abbreviation: 3A9)
- LAKE PRESTON MUNI (about 20 miles; LAKE PRESTON, SD; Abbreviation: Y34)
- WILDER (about 27 miles; DESMET, SD; Abbreviation: 6E5)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Lake Norden:
- SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 33 miles; BROOKINGS, SD; Full-time enrollment: 7,353)
- SOUTHWEST STATE UNIVERSITY (about 100 miles; MARSHALL, MN; Full-time enrollment: 3,405)
- NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 108 miles; ABERDEEN, SD; Full-time enrollment: 2,356)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA (about 123 miles; VERMILLION, SD; Full-time enrollment: 6,014)
- NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE (about 124 miles; WAHPETON, ND; Full-time enrollment: 2,176)
- RIDGEWATER COLLEGE (about 155 miles; WILLMAR, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,711)
- WAYNE STATE COLLEGE (about 163 miles; WAYNE, NE; Full-time enrollment: 3,026)