South Dakota
South Dakota's 9 Best Retirement Towns Ranked
For retirees seeking a peaceful and affordable place to settle down, the state of South Dakota is proving to be an excellent choice for retirees. With no state income tax and reasonable sales taxes on food and fuel in most locations, the Mount Rushmore State offers financial advantages that can help stretch retirement savings further. While Sioux Falls and Rapid City attract many due to their size, the state has plenty of charming small towns that provide a perfect mix of modern amenities, excellent healthcare, and active lifestyles. Whether you’re drawn to historic main streets, scenic landscapes, or outdoor recreation, South Dakota has plenty to offer. From the Black Hills to the Missouri River, these nine best retirement towns ranked will stand out as some of the best places to spend one’s golden years.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen sits in the northern part of the state as the county seat of Brown County, about thirty miles south of the state line with North Dakota. This small town of 28,110 residents is home to Northern State University, a public four-year college with an excellent music and arts program widely supported by the community. (In addition, senior adults can take classes at the university for a reduced tuition rate). History buffs will want to explore the Dacotah Prairie Museum in a 19th-century historic bank building or the vibrant downtown area with small shops, boutiques, and cafes. When you visit, try the Three22Kitchen + Cocktails. This relatively new restaurant (opening in 2021) is quickly gaining a reputation as the place to dine in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen is listed as one of the safest cities in the state, with a well-funded police department and community services. The median price for a home is typically in the low- to mid-$200,000s, and living costs are lower than the national average. Avera St. Luke Hospital and Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center anchor the healthcare services. With several residential living centers, retirement homes, and skilled nursing facilities available, older adults have plenty of options should the need arise. (Two of the best are Parkside and Avera Mother Joseph Manor). Aberdeen ranks high due to its affordability, community support, and safe, quiet neighborhoods.
Madison
Madison sits in Lake County in the southeastern portion of the state and is an excellent choice for retirees looking for a peaceful, close-knit community. The community is between Lake Herman and Lake Madison, providing outdoor recreation opportunities like fishing, boating, and hiking. The Prairie Village, a historical attraction just outside town, gives visitors a glimpse into South Dakota’s pioneer past with restored buildings and a working railroad. Prime Time Tavern is the best steakhouse in the city, serving slow-roasted prime rib that will melt in your mouth. The town is also home to Dakota State University, which provides residents with cultural events, educational programs, and entertainment options.
Madison has an active senior community, a low crime rate, and affordable housing and living costs. The median price for a home is in the $290,000s, according to Redfin, with a cost-of-living ratio much lower than the national average. Madison Regional Health System is a 22-bed, non-profit hospital that offers various healthcare services. Bethel Lutheran Home is a nursing home facility with excellent staffing-to-patient ratios. With excellent healthcare, outdoor activity, and a welcoming small-town ambiance, Madison is a wonderful place to enjoy retirement.
Brookings
Brookings is a vibrant college town, home to South Dakota State University, that reflects a small-town atmosphere. Retirees will enjoy the stunning McCrory Gardens, a 70-acre botanical garden and arboretum. The lively downtown area features unique shops, cozy cafes, and cultural events, providing plenty of opportunities to stay socially active and connected with the community. When the grandkids come to visit, visit the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, where they can spend hours enjoying the interactive exhibits.
The median home price in Brookings, according to Redfin, is about $250,000. The city also boasts lower food and fuel expenses, too. The community enjoys safe streets, having been listed as one of the “safest college towns in the United States.” Brookings Health Systems runs the local 49-bed hospital, 79-bed nursing facility, and several family practice clinics. With excellent access to educational activities, a thriving local arts scene, affordability, and a low crime rate, Brookings ranks high on our list of the best places to retire.
Huron
Huron is a delightful place to retire, offering a welcoming community and a relaxed pace of life. The community hosts the South Dakota State Fair every year, bringing residents and visitors together for a week-long celebration. Nature lovers can enjoy the scenic beauty of Ravine Lake Park, perfect for fishing, picnicking, or a peaceful walk. For hunters, the surrounding prairie fields offer some of the best pheasant hunting in the state.
The median home price is $240,000, and retirees’ monthly expenses are about 20% less than the national average. The Huron Regional Medical Center provides comprehensive healthcare, including specialized care for seniors. Several community living options, including Peaceful Pines Senior Living and The Wellshire Huron, assisted living centers with excellent services, are available. With affordable living, friendly neighbors, and a rich blend of outdoor activities, Huron provides an inviting and fulfilling environment for retirees looking to enjoy their golden years.
Hill City
Hill City is a picturesque gem in the Black Hills, making it an ideal place to retire for those seeking natural beauty and a tight-knit community. Retirees can explore iconic sites like Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, both just a short drive away. For outdoor enthusiasts, nearby Custer State Park and Mickelson Trail offer endless hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing opportunities, making it easy to stay active. Along its historic Main Street are art galleries, local boutiques, and cozy restaurants catering to locals and tourists alike.
Healthcare needs are well-supported, with nearby facilities like Monument Health in Custer offering quality medical care and specialized services. For retirees interested in community living options, the community has several choices, including Peaceful Pines and Holiday Hills Estates. Hill City enjoys a low crime rate compared to other cities in the state. While median housing costs are around $488,000, according to Redfin, living costs average about 10% to 15% below the national average.
Spearfish
Spearfish perfectly balances natural beauty, small-town charm, and modern amenities. The town sits in the northern Black Hills and is home to the breathtaking Spearfish Canyon. Retirees can enjoy scenic drives, hiking trails, waterfalls like Bridal Veil Falls, not to mention great rainbow trout fishing from Iron Creek Lake. The town’s vibrant arts and culture scene, with local galleries, live theater, and community events, always ensures something to do.
The median home price according to Redfin is about $460,000, but the living costs are slightly less than the national average. Healthcare facilities include Monument Health, which provides comprehensive services, including specialized care for seniors. For those seeking community living, The Village at Skyline Pines offers a comfortable and supportive retirement environment with social activities and personalized care. For retirees who can afford it, Spearfish provides an inviting, enriching place to enjoy retirement amidst the stunning backdrop of the Black Hills.
Watertown
Watertown is home to the renowned Redlin Art Center, where retirees can admire the works of Terry Redlin, one of the nation’s most notable landscape artists. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the serene beauty of Lake Kampeska and Pelican Lake, which are perfect for fishing, boating, or simply relaxing by the water. The Bramble Park Zoo and extensive walking trails offer peaceful spaces to explore nature. At the same time, the lively downtown area hosts quaint shops, restaurants, and community events that foster strong local connections.
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System provides comprehensive medical services, including specialized care for seniors. Those seeking a vibrant retirement community will find options like Edgewood Senior Living, which offers a supportive environment, engaging activities, and comfortable amenities. Median housing costs according to Redfin are about $200,000, and with one of the lowest crime rates in the state, Watertown is an attractive retirement destination for senior adults.
Milbank
This small community is in the eastern part of the state, along the south fork of the Whetstone River. There are opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and birdwatching. The town is home to unique local attractions like the Grant County Historical Museum, where residents can explore the area’s rich history, and community events like Farley Fest bring people together for music, food, and fun. The welcoming vibe and slower pace of life make it easy to build meaningful connections and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle.
Housing costs are among the lowest in the state, and living expenses are 15% less than the national average. The city has an active police presence, ensuring safe neighborhoods. Milbank Area Health Care Campus provides reliable medical care and specialized services for seniors. For those seeking extra support, nearby retirement communities like Peaceful Pines and The Wellshire offer comfortable living options with social activities and personalized care.
Yankton
Yankton sits in southern South Dakota on the state’s border with Nebraska. The Missouri River flows through the town, playing a vital role in developing this river city as an early trading post and steamboat stop. Retirees will enjoy the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, with its popular cycle and walking paths, shaded campgrounds, and easy lake access. The eclectic downtown offers a variety of small shops, antique stores, and restaurants, perfect for an afternoon of treasure hunting. If you visit, you will want to dine at Charlie’s Pizza for one of their famous loaded pies (trust us, this place is that good).
The median home in Yankton costs around $171,000, according to Redfin, and living costs are significantly less than the national average (up to 20% less in recent years). Avera Sacred Heart Hospital provides quality healthcare services. With its small-town charm, affordability, and quality healthcare, Yankton is the perfect choice for those seeking a retirement community to call home.
One of the most important decisions a retiree can make is where to spend their retirement years, and while it can be daunting, the choice doesn’t have to be filled with struggle and stress. These nine best retirement towns ranked in South Dakota offer plenty of daily activities to keep seniors engaged and active, safe streets, and a low affordability factor. Whether it is walking through a forest canyon, angling for a rainbow trout, or just touring a historic downtown district, don’t underestimate the quality of life you can enjoy in South Dakota.
WATERTOWN, S.D. — A man who spent 1,217 days as the only suspect in the 2020 murder and beheading of an Indigenous woman filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court on Thursday, Jan. 8, alleging he was negligently and maliciously prosecuted.
The complaint, filed in the United States District Court of South Dakota Northern Division, on behalf of Jeremiah Peacemaker, 49, names nearly three dozen defendants, including current Watertown Police Chief Timothy Toomey, department officers, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, as well as agents from the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the city of Watertown, and others.
Peacemaker was
acquitted on March 5, 2024,
of murdering 28-year-old Kendra Rae Owen, an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate.
Patrick Lalley / Sioux Falls Live
Peacemaker argues his rights under the 4th, 5th, 8th and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution were intentionally, recklessly and willfully violated, and claims the ordeal has left permanent damage to his reputation, his emotional well-being, his livelihood and his relationships.
Represented by Steven Beardsley, Kate Benson and Scott Bratland, of South Dakota law firms, Peacemaker is seeking compensatory damages in an amount to be determined by a jury at trial.
In the complaint, Peacemaker claims little of Owen’s case was actually investigated: Witnesses were ignored, evidence was ruined, misplaced and lost, and other suspects besides Peacemaker were not investigated.
“Investigators refused to consider the possibility that they had arrested the wrong person,” his complaint states.
Peacemaker told investigators that he met Owen only once, days before her murder, and he was the victim of a beating and a hit-and-run the night before his arrest.
At the time, police thought Peacemaker’s story strange, according to the complaint, and fingered him as the primary suspect hours after Owen’s body was found.
“They wanted to prove that (the) plaintiff made up the story about the assault and hit and run. When they actually did an investigation, what they discovered is that he had told the truth,” the complaint states.
Shortly after Owen’s murder, investigators agreed to trick Peacemaker, according to the complaint. Outwardly, they pretended they were going to investigate the hit and run, but quickly focused on placing Peacemaker at the scene of the murder.
At the police station, Peacemaker alleges he was tricked into giving a DNA sample, and into talking about a woman with pink hair.
Owen had pink hair.
Patrick Lalley / Sioux Falls Live
Eventually, he was read his Miranda Rights. A photograph of Owen’s corpse and her head propped on a mattress was “slapped” in front of him, the complaint stated.
Even though Peacemaker tried to tell investigators that he had only met Owen one time, two days before the hit-and-run, they called him a psychopath and a serial killer.
“He was completely blindsided and stunned,” the complaint stated.
Video evidence later revealed that Peacemaker was telling the truth, according to the complaint — he was seen with Owen buying beer from a nearby bar.
“The plaintiff explained that he was not trying to hook up with her and that she did not make him mad. He was happy to meet her and to have made a new friend,” the complaint stated.
After an entire night of interrogation, Peacemaker was arrested.
Patrick Lalley / Sioux Falls Live
Nearly three years after Owen’s death, Peacemaker’s defense lawyers returned to the crime scene. While walking around the house, they saw a strange saw on the roof. After reviewing crime scene photographs from 2020, the saw was visible in the same spot, according to the complaint.
“Defendants did not find it because they did not look. It remained on the roof for three years. By the time it was finally collected, the forensic evidence was gone,” the complaint stated, adding that there were reddish-brown stains on the roof under the saw.
Patrick Lalley / Sioux Falls Live
No reasonable investigating officer could have believed there was probable cause to arrest Peacemaker, the complaint stated.
“Because of the quick arrest of Mr. Peacemaker and subsequent press releases, the public was led to believe that this was an open and shut case. Law enforcement officers were hailed as heroes for the quick arrest. The victim’s family had no idea how flawed the case was until they showed up to watch the trial,” the complaint stated.
Contributed / Jewel DeMarrias
Owen, whose Indigenous name according to her obituary was Gakiya Nagun Wiyan or “Hears the Voice in the Distance Woman,” lived a “high-risk lifestyle,” the complaint stated, adding that she had disabilities that impaired her judgment. She had a substance abuse disorder, but she was also independent and a fighter.
Owen’s case worker, Marciella Espinoza, from the Human Service Agency, called her “Mike Tyson” because her initials were “K.O.,” and at times she was involved in fights, both as an assailant and a victim, according to the complaint.
But Owen was much more than that, her mother Jewel DeMarrias told Forum News Service in a brief interview.
She played bowling, basketball and softball in the Special Olympics. She was a churchgoer, DeMarrias said.
“She was an earth angel. She would give you her last penny to help you,” DeMarrias said.
Contributed / Jewel DeMarrias
Because of her lifestyle, intoxicated people were frequently in her home, according to the complaint. From Jan. 1, 2020, until the day her body was found, she called 911 six times, usually asking for help removing people from her home.
“A quick search of Ms. Owen’s record yielded a ton of potential suspects. The 911 records had the names of individuals who should have been interviewed because they were recently in altercations with Ms. Owens, but they were not,” the complaint stated.
From that suspect list of eight people, some have already died since the trial, according to the complaint.
One possible suspect had had Owen’s keys and threatened to kill her.
A second possible suspect — a woman — tried to hire an undercover FBI agent to commit murder, and when asked what she would do to help with the murder, she offered to cut up the body, according to the complaint.
A third potential suspect, who made the last nine phone calls to Owen, stopped by her house numerous times looking for his jean jacket. Owen was wearing a jean jacket at the time of her death.
A fourth potential suspect once broke Owen’s arm, and a fifth was with Owen when she met Peacemaker. Both these people are now deceased.
The sixth person on the list described by the complaint was described as Owen’s occasional boyfriend.
The seventh was a violent meth user who once gouged out a person’s eye.
And the eighth possible suspect was once married to a woman who assaulted Owen. While in jail, he made a “strange phone call” to Peacemaker, saying that whoever killed Owen was after him.
Cigarette butts found in Owen’s apartment were also not tested until defense attorneys in Peacemaker’s felony trial insisted. When DNA evidence came back, the genetic trail led to a woman named Brianna Lawrence, who spent time in prison for hiring a hit man to kill the father of her children, according to the complaint.
“She planned to assist the hit man by chopping the body into pieces,” the complaint stated, adding that Lawrence was also not interviewed until three years after the murder, a delay that made documentation of Lawrence’s location difficult.
The Watertown Police Department’s failure to properly investigate the case “shocks the conscience,” the complaint stated.
“Key pieces of evidence were recklessly ignored. Evidence proving Mr. Peacemaker was innocent, lost, not collected, not tested and not documented,” the complaint stated. “Investigators were more worried, tiptoeing around each other’s egos, than doing a proper investigation.”
Watertown Police Capt. Ryan Beauchamp — one of the defendants — told Forum News Service that the department could not comment on the lawsuit at this time.
Iran pulls internet access as protests surge nationwide
Iran pulled internet access as economic protests surge nationwide over economic hardships.
It’s expensive to extend fiber-optic cable to the remaining locations in South Dakota that don’t have high-speed internet, so the state is leaning into providers offering service from satellites in space.
The state’s ConnectSD initiative, which began in 2019, had helped bring broadband access to 91% of South Dakota by 2024. A state report noted the remaining 9% would be costly, given the price of bringing miles of fiber to remote areas with few customers.
The broadband initiative has cost $300 million so far, with funding from federal, state and private sources. Gov. Larry Rhoden announced recently that the state will soon receive another $72 million in federal funding for the effort.
A little more than a third of the new funding will go toward “Low Earth Orbit Satellite” technologies, like SpaceX’s Starlink, to reach 2,705 of the 7,060 locations in the state targeted for the funds. Most of the other targeted connections will come by way of fiber-optic cable, and 177 will come via signals beamed from cellular towers.
The satellite funding will not be used to pay for individual subscriptions, said a spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
“Instead, the award reserves network capacity with the provider so service is available in those locations,” said Bri Vande Pol. “The provider is reimbursed on a per-location basis only when a customer subscribes to the service.”
Vande Pol said the federal funding requires providers to make high-speed internet available to each eligible location for at least 10 years. She said the provider receives 25% of the award upon confirming service is available, and the remaining payments for the reserved network capacity are made quarterly over the 10-year period.
The new federal money comes from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, authorized by the 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act, passed during the Biden administration.
“Under the Trump administration’s changes to that program, states are encouraged to use a technology-neutral approach and connect locations in the most efficient way possible,” Vande Pol said.
“In some of South Dakota’s most remote areas, Low Earth Orbit satellite service is a strong, reliable solution that meets performance standards while allowing us to maximize the reach of available BEAD funding,” she added.
As of June 2025, South Dakota’s ConnectSD program had used $84.4 million in state general funds, $88.5 million in federal funds and $129.6 million in private investment from broadband providers to connect about 31,000 locations. The state and federal money has mostly been spent on grants to service providers, to help them expand their networks.
Rhoden’s latest proposed budget asks lawmakers to authorize $87 million in federal funding to be spent on broadband in the coming fiscal year.
Rhoden spokesperson Josie Harms said the $72 million figure announced in a press release represents “the amount that will actually be awarded to the subrecipients.”
“The $87 million amount is the total spending authority, which includes the project costs as well as administrative costs and marketing costs,” she wrote in an email to South Dakota Searchlight.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
WAGNER, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation has released details on a homicide that happened on January 10 in Wagner, SD.
A Wagner man has been arrested in connection with a fatal vehicle incident that occurred Saturday night near Wagner, according to SD Attorney General Marty Jackley and Charles Mix County State’s Attorney Steve Cotton.
Darian Wright, 32, of Wagner, has been charged with Vehicular Manslaughter, Driving Under the Influence, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident, with additional charges possible.
Dana Frederick, 29, of Wagner, was found deceased at a residence after a vehicle crash south of Wagner earlier that evening.
The vehicle was allegedly driven by Wright, who, along with a young child, sustained minor injuries in the incident.
The incident remains under investigation by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Wagner Police Department.
Wright is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution until proven guilty.
There is no additional threat to the public.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
Geospatial Study Ties Melanoma Hot Spots to Farming Practices in Pennsylvania | Managed Healthcare Executive
CRMC asks RI Superior Court to force Quidnessett Country Club to take down rock wall
South Carolina women’s basketball adds French prospect vs. Texas
Acquitted in beheading case, South Dakota man sues, claiming malicious prosecution
Cold patrols scheduled as dangerous cold moves into Middle Tennessee
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Republicans light cigars, cigarettes on burning photos of Khamenei to show support for Iranian protesters
EU Parliament questions defence loan’s ‘€17 billion gift’ to Hungary
Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants
Video: Clashes With Federal Agents in Minneapolis Escalate
Venezuela releases multiple American citizens from prison following military operation
-
Montana4 days agoService door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
-
Technology1 week agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Delaware5 days agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Dallas, TX6 days agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Dallas, TX1 week agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Virginia4 days agoVirginia Tech gains commitment from ACC transfer QB
-
Education1 week agoVideo: This Organizer Reclaims Counter Space
-
Iowa1 week agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star