Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
A town of 366.
65% of residents live below the poverty line in La Roche Township, where South Dakota’s towns sit at 9.5% and U.S. towns at 9.6%. Only 3 of the 36 South Dakota towns we compare have a higher July high than La Roche Township. 27% of the land in La Roche Township is conserved, above both South Dakota’s towns (3.3%) and U.S. towns (4.3%). Church of Christ in LaRoche Township is on the National Register of Historic Places. La Roche Township has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
The archive holds 2 maps from 1971 on.
1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explore the history →Who provides power, water and the rest in La Roche Township, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.
Ordered by what stands out in La Roche Township.
Adults 18 to 34 are 100% of residents (22% statewide); adults 35 to 64 are 0% of residents (36% statewide). 35% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 32% across South Dakota.
| La Roche Township | SD | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 0% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 0% | 11.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 0% | 9.3% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 100% | 12.6% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 0% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 0% | 10.7% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 0% | 12.6% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 0% | 11% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 0% | 7% | 7% |
| No diploma | 0% | 6.8% | 10.4% |
| High school | 65.2% | 29% | 26% |
| Some college | 0% | 19.9% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 0% | 12.3% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 34.8% | 21.9% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 0% | 10% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 400, single groups can be off by several points
Its public schools are run by the Platte - Geddes School District 11-5. Its one school is below.
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platte Colony Elementary - 10Largest public elementary schoolGrades K–8 | Grades K–8 | 22 | – |
NCES · EDFacts
15 miles of trail in 1 park or preserve. The biggest place to walk is Snake Creek Recreation Area, 214 acres with 2.4 miles of trail. La Roche Township’s trail density is 0.2 miles per square mile.
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Snake Creek Recreation Area | 2.4 mi | 214 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Most working residents leave La Roche Township for work: only 4% work in town. The top destinations are Platte (34%), Platte Township (17%) and Rapid City (5%). Half commute less than 16 miles.
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
La Roche Township has cold, snowy winters and warm summers. The January low in La Roche Township is 12°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
La Roche Township beats the South Dakota average on 2 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 4. 29% of La Roche Township adults sleep under 7 hours. Only 2 of the 36 South Dakota towns we compare have a higher share of adults who have high blood pressure than La Roche Township.
| La Roche Township | South Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 30% | 36% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 15% | 17% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 22% | 23% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 37% | 31% | 35% |
| What stands out | La Roche Township | SD |
|---|---|---|
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 79.2% | 75.9% |
| More adults getting cholesterol checked | 87% | 84.8% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 11.1% | 9.2% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 51% of U.S. communities.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
None within 15 miles of La Roche Township; the nearest are
College town 35 of every 100 La Roche Township residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across South Dakota.
Where La Roche Township’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
La Roche Township has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.