Brookings, SD

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

34,315

2.28% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Thune

Republican Party

US Senator

Mike Rounds

Republican Party

US Representative

Dusty Johnson

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

27.4

0.366% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

12.1%

12.3% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$59,178

2.97% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$201,000

7.43% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

18,921

1.28% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Brookings, SD had a population of 34.3k people with a median age of 27.4 and a median household income of $59,178. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Brookings, SD declined from 35,115 to 34,315, a −2.28% decrease and its median household income grew from $57,471 to $59,178, a 2.97% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Brookings, SD are White (Non-Hispanic) (88.9%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.09%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.51%), White (Hispanic) (1.7%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.19%).

None of the households in Brookings, SD reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.1% of the residents in Brookings, SD are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Brookings, SD are South Dakota State University (2,586 degrees awarded in 2021) and Institute of Lutheran Theology (10 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Brookings, SD was $201,000, and the homeownership rate was 59.6%.

Most people in Brookings, SD drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 14.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Brookings, SD was 2 cars per household.

Brookings, SD borders .

United States South Dakota

Population & Diversity

Brookings, SD is home to a population of 34.3k people, from which 96.1% are citizens. As of 2021, 5.41% of Brookings, SD residents were born outside of the country (1.86k people).

In 2021, there were 28.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (30.5k people) in Brookings, SD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.06k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 861 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.1%

2021 Citizenship

95.3%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 96.1% of Brookings, SD residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Brookings, SD was 95.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Brookings, SD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Brookings, SD

White (Non-Hispanic)
30.5k ± 91
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
1.06k ± 108
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
861 ± 191

3.68%

Hispanic Population

1.26k people

3.68% of the people in Brookings, SD are hispanic (1.26k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Brookings, SD as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for South Dakota.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,140 ± 1,373 people
Ethiopia
2,462 ± 1,216 people
Guatemala
2,377 ± 1,195 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Dakota was Mexico, the natal country of 3,140 South Dakota residents, followed by Ethiopia with 2,462 and Guatemala with 2,377.

Foreign-Born Population

5.41%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.86k people

6.15%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

2.16k people

As of 2021, 5.41% of Brookings, SD residents (1.86k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Brookings, SD was 6.15%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Brookings, SD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
527 ± 121
Gulf War (2001-)
295 ± 102
Korea
158 ± 89

Brookings, SD has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.79 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Brookings, SD employs 18.9k people. The largest industries in Brookings, SD are Manufacturing (3,878 people), Educational Services (3,120 people), and Retail Trade (2,070 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($102,824), Utilities ($70,069), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($58,333).

Males in South Dakota have an average income that is 1.29 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,431. The income inequality in South Dakota (measured using the Gini index) is 0.439, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

18.9k

2021 Value

± 986

−1.28%

1 Year decline

± 7.52%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Brookings, SD declined at a rate of −1.28%, from 19.2k employees to 18.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Brookings, SD, are Management Occupations (1,917 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,890 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1,865 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Brookings, SD.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Dakota (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

18.9k

2021 Value

± 986

−1.28%

1 Year decline

± 7.52%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Brookings, SD declined at a rate of −1.28%, from 19.2k employees to 18.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Brookings, SD, are Manufacturing (3,878 people), Educational Services (3,120 people), and Retail Trade (2,070 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Brookings, SD, though some of these residents may live in Brookings, SD and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$39,559

Median earning men ± $1,562

$32,908

Median earning women ± $2,246

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($67,321), Other Services Except Public Administration ($60,000), and Public Administration ($53,333).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($45,780), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($42,639), and Manufacturing ($42,453).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in South Dakota. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Dakota.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

273
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
238
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
167
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$808k
Manufacturing
$123k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$63.9k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Dakota to other states, or from other states to South Dakota.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound South Dakota product (by dollars) was Cereal grains with $6.49B, followed by Other ag prods. ($5.75B) and Live animals/fish ($4.59B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Dakota products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Dakota.

$51.6B

2020 Value in South Dakota

$98.1B

Projected 2050 Value in South Dakota

90.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Dakota trade was $51.6B. This is expected to increase 90.3% to $98.1B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Dakota trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Dakota to other states, or from other states to South Dakota.

Most Common Trade Partners

Minnesota
$6.09B
Iowa
$3.04B
North Dakota
$2.14B

In 2020, the top outbound South Dakota domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Minnesota with $6.09B, followed by Iowa with $3.04B and North Dakota and $2.14B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Dakota shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Dakota went to Donald J. Trump with 61.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.63%).

John Thune and Mike Rounds are the senators currently representing the state of South Dakota. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Brookings, SD is currently represented by Dusty Johnson in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Brookings, SD. Showing the available data for South Dakota.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (61.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.63%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Dakota went to Donald J. Trump with 61.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (35.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.63%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Dakota for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from South Dakota

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

John Thune

Senator from South Dakota

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Mike Rounds

Senator from South Dakota

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

John Thune and Mike Rounds are the senators currently representing South Dakota.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in South Dakota over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Brookings, SD

Dusty Johnson

South Dakota at-large Representative

Republican Party

Brookings, SD is currently represented by Dusty Johnson (Republican Party).

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the member for Brookings, SD have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Brookings, SD awarded 2,596 degrees. The student population of Brookings, SD in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 5,050 male students and 6,415 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Brookings, SD are White (2,206 and 92.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (52 and 2.17%), Asian (39 and 1.63%), and Two or More Races (35 and 1.46%).

The largest universities in Brookings, SD by number of degrees awarded are South Dakota State University (2,586 and 99.6%) and Institute of Lutheran Theology (10 and 0.385%).

The most popular majors in Brookings, SD are Registered Nursing (328 and 12.6%), General Animal Sciences (110 and 4.24%), and General Psychology (81 and 3.12%).

The median tuition costs in Brookings, SD are $9,600 for private four year colleges, and $7,773 and $11,283 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Brookings, SD, the percentage of applicants admitted was 87.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 40%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 11,465 (44% men and 56% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 11,465 students enrolled in Brookings, SD, 44% men and 56% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 9,677 records, of which 56.8% were women and 43.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
315 degree-majors awarded
General Animal Sciences
92 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
81 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Brookings, SD was Registered Nursing with 315 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Brookings, SD according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

South Dakota State University
2,586 degrees awarded
Institute of Lutheran Theology
10 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was South Dakota State University with 2,586 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,105 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Brookings, SD, which is 0.741 times less than the 1,491 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,206 degrees mean that there were 42.4 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 52 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($9,600) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,526) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

Measure

In 2021, 0.528% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.395% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (202k), Some college (152k), and Bachelors Degree (127k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Brookings, SD was $201,000 in 2021, which is 0.821 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $187,100 to $201,000, a 7.43% increase. The homeownership rate in Brookings, SD is 59.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Brookings, SD have an average commute time of 14.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Brookings, SD is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Brookings, SD is $59,178. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Brookings, SD was Lincoln County, SD with a value of $87,560, followed by Union County, SD and Hughes County, SD, with respective values of $80,238 and $77,725.

Housing

Property

$201,000

Median Property Value 2021

±$7,401

$7,887

Median Property Taxes

±$553

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Brookings, SD the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Brookings, SD compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

59.6%

Homeownership

2021

64.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 59.6% of the housing units in Brookings, SD were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 58.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Brookings, SD compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Brookings, SD was Lincoln County, SD with a value of $87,560, followed by Union County, SD and Hughes County, SD, with respective values of $80,238 and $77,725.

The following map shows all of the counties in Brookings, SD colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$59,178

Median Household Income

± $2,665

13.2k

Number of Households

± 824

In 2021, the median household income of the 13.2k households in Brookings, SD grew to $59,178 from the previous year's value of $57,471.

The following chart displays the households in Brookings, SD distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Brookings, SD is from South Dakota.

0.439

2021 Wage GINI in South Dakota

0.43

2020 Wage GINI in South Dakota

In 2021, the income inequality in South Dakota was 0.439 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.94% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for South Dakota was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Dakota in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Dakota across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (77%)
Carpooled (8.96%)
Worked At Home (8.8%)

In 2021, 77% of workers in Brookings, SD drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.96%) and those who worked at home (8.8%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

14.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Brookings, SD have a shorter commute time (14.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 0.654% of the workforce in Brookings, SD have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Brookings, SD compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Brookings, SD distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Brookings, SD have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

12.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Brookings, SD (3.71k out of 30.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Brookings, SD is White, followed by Asian and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

94.8% of the population of Brookings, SD has health coverage, with 62.9% on employee plans, 6.21% on Medicaid, 8.86% on Medicare, 14.9% on non-group plans, and 1.9% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in South Dakota see 1257 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.53% decrease from the previous year (1303 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1608 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 497 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

1,257 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in South Dakota

Primary care physicians in South Dakota see an average of 1,257 patients per year. This represents a 3.53% decrease from the previous year (1,303 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in South Dakota in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.4% under 18 years, 35.2% between 18 and 34 years, 28.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 12% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.2% were men and 49.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.24%

Uninsured

62.9%

Employer Coverage

6.21%

Medicaid

8.86%

Medicare

14.9%

Non-Group

1.9%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Brookings, SD declined by 5.12% from 5.52% to 5.24%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Brookings, SD changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.