Median Age
29 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 26% of Residents
Under 20
26%
Over 65
13%
Brookings, SD
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,101
Population
24,914
Renter Mix
51% Rent
Experience the dynamic energy of this vibrant college town
Suburban
•
Family-Friendly
•
College Town
Situated in eastern South Dakota, about 55 miles north of Sioux Falls, Brookings is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the state. Brookings is home to South Dakota’s largest university, South Dakota State University, which contributes a youthful energy to the city in addition to numerous educational, cultural, and sporting events.
Brookings boasts a small-town atmosphere with many big-city amenities, including cultural offerings like the South Dakota Art Museum, the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, and the annual Brookings Summer Arts Festival. Brookings contains a vibrant downtown area filled with boutique shops, restaurants, bars, coffeehouses, antique stores, and much more in rows of colorful, historic buildings. Brookings affords residents quick commutes and travels with access to I-29, U.S. 14, and Brookings Regional Airport.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$56,592
Average: $73,018
Education
8,920
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
13,964
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
In Brookings, there are roughly the same number of renters and homeowners.
Renters
51%
Non-Renters
49%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
30%
Other Education
70%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Brookings, SD is $970 for a studio, $1,101 for one bedroom, $1,160 for two bedrooms, and $1,590 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Brookings has increased by 2.2% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,101/month
639 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Brookings, SD is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Very Drivable
Drivability
80
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
473 Students
Public
Grades K-5
529 Students
Public
Grades K-5
323 Students
Public
Grades K-5
305 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
George S. Mickelson Middle School
Public
Grades 6-8
751 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,050 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- McCrory Gardens & Arboretum
- Dakota Nature Park and Center
Top Apartments in Brookings
Houses for Rent in Brookings
Property Management Companies in Brookings, SD
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.