Norden TownshipSD
Is Norden Township a good place to live?
Norden Township’s mean commuting time is 46 minutes, above both South Dakota’s towns (17 minutes) and U.S. towns (25 minutes). Of the 36 South Dakota towns we compare, none has a higher home-ownership rate than Norden Township. 10% of the land in Norden Township is conserved, above both South Dakota’s towns (3.3%) and U.S. towns (4.3%). Its National Register listings include Old Cochrane Road Bridge and East Highland Lutheran Church. Norden Township has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
What makes Norden Township stand out
Where Norden Township beats most towns.
298 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Moving to Norden Township: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Norden 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.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Norden Township.
Fewer young adults than South Dakota overall
Adults 18 to 34 are 3% of residents (22% statewide); adults 35 to 64 are 49% of residents (36% statewide). The median age for Norden Township comes to 57.8 years. This South Dakota town is growing: up 4.2% since 2020, to 298 residents (2025 estimate). Here, 27% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, against 32% in South Dakota as a whole.
| Norden Township | South Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 57.8 years | 39.5 years | 40.5 years |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 27% | 33% | 29% |
Ages · share of residents
Education · adults 25 and older
Women and men · all residents
39% women, 61% men
About 157 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±6 points). Across South Dakota, 49.2% of residents are women.
| Norden Township | SD | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 1.1% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 22.1% | 11.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 2.5% | 9.3% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 0% | 12.6% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 13.2% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 1.1% | 10.7% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 34.6% | 12.6% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 22.1% | 11% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 3.2% | 7% | 7% |
| No diploma | 0% | 6.8% | 10.4% |
| High school | 34.6% | 29% | 26% |
| Some college | 21.6% | 19.9% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 16.3% | 12.3% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 20.2% | 21.9% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 7.2% | 10% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 300, single groups can be off by several points
Compared with most of South Dakota and the rest of the country, fewer of Norden Township’s working residents work locally
The top destinations are Clear Lake (16%), Watertown (16%) and Sioux Falls (9%). The median commute is under 29 miles.
Where working residents work
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Norden Township stands out in South Dakota and nationally, with a typical July afternoon cooler than most
The seasons in Norden Township: cold, snowy winters, pleasant summers. July afternoons reach 81°, January nights drop to 5° and about 61 inches of snow falls in a winter.
Typical low → high °F
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Top of a low hazard risk in Norden Township: inland flooding
The risk rating from FEMA in Norden Township is 36 of 100. FEMA puts just over a third of the town’s expected hazard losses down to inland flooding, and 20% to cold waves. Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 64% of U.S. communities.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
10.4% of the land in Norden Township is protected from building
Only 3 of the 33 South Dakota towns we compare have a lower trail network density than Norden Township. Count the trails in 3 parks and preserves and they come to 6.7 miles. The biggest park or preserve is Fox Lake State Wildlife Management Area, at 121 acres.
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fox Lake State Wildlife Management Area | — | 121 |
| 2. Runge State Wildlife Management Area | — | 37 |
| 3. Lake Cochrane State Recreation Area | 0.1 mi | 28 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
How healthy Norden Township is
Among adults in Norden Township, 18% binge drink. Of 26 CDC measures, Norden Township beats the South Dakota average on 1 and trails it on 1. 14% of adults in Norden Township report frequent mental distress; 20% have been diagnosed with depression.
| Norden 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% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 19% | 16% |
| What stands out | Norden Township | SD |
|---|---|---|
| More adults getting cholesterol checked | 87.2% | 84.8% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.7% | 9.2% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Everything we know about Norden Township
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Norden Township; the nearest are
About 2 of every 100 Norden Township residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across South Dakota.
99% of working residents leave Norden Township for work
Where Norden Township’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
Questions about Norden Township
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Norden Township, SD a good place to live?
Norden Township has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.