Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Crime
This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Health & Safety
Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.
Schools
Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.
Lead is a smaller city located in the state of South Dakota. The city has a population of 3,089 residents. According to the most recent Census, 96% of Lead residents are White, 1% Asian and 1% Native Hawaiian. Based on an average age of 52, Lead appears to be well-suited for seniors or retirees as the average age is well above the national average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Lead. With an average one way commute time of only 15 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Lead is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in South Dakota, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Lead and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, commute, housing and other important metrics.
With a livability score of 68 out of 100, Lead is ranked #8,351 in the United States and #72 in South Dakota. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Lead has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (A-) and housing (A+). Lead does not do well for the following: amenities (F), education (D-) and employment (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Lead, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 164 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.
The unemployment rate in Lead has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.6%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Lead market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Lead is real estate affordability. The median home price for Lead homes is $290,553, which is 11.5% higher than the South Dakota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Lead, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 30.3% higher than the South Dakota average.
| Statistic | Lead | South Dakota | National |
| Average one way commute | 15min | 17min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.3% | 79.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 25.5% | 9.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 0.0% | 5.5% | 4.6% |
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