SDMap-doton-Parmelee, 2004
Parmelee’s story
105 years in pictures
The archive holds 1 old photo or paper going back to 2004.
1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1921Parmelee is settled
ParmeleeSD
Home to 584 people, the town was settled in 1921.
Is Parmelee a good place to live?
85% of residents live below the poverty line in Parmelee, above both the South Dakota town median (9.5%) and the median of U.S. towns (9.6%). Of the 36 South Dakota towns we compare, none has a lower share of adults with a bachelor’s degree than Parmelee. He Dog Consolidated School is on the National Register of Historic Places. Parmelee has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Small town
584 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Getting set up
Moving to Parmelee: who provides what
Parmelee is unincorporated, so Todd County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerLaCreek Electric AssnEIAHIFLD · EIA
WaterRosebud Rural Water System1 health-based violation in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet2 providers0% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesTodd CountyTodd County provides services here
Register to voteIn personSouth Dakota has no online registration; you can register in person until 15 days before Election Day or by mail (received 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereTodd County AuditorTodd County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2023
ZIP code5756657566 100%Census 2020
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 Parmelee.
Schools
The schools Parmelee’s kids attend
Its one school is below. Enrollment at Parmelee’s public school: 189 students.
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| He Dog Elementary - 05Largest public elementary schoolGrades K–8 | Grades K–8 | 189 | – |
NCES · EDFacts
Work & commute
About one in three of Parmelee’s working residents commute to Mission
The top destinations are Mission (31%), Two Strike (21%) and St. Francis (13%). For Parmelee, the mean commuting time is 14 minutes. Half of commuters travel less than 18 miles.
0%work in town
Where working residents work
In Parmelee0%
Mission31%
Two Strike21%
St. Francis13%
Soldier Creek12%
18 mi
median commute distance
0
jobs based in Parmelee
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Natural hazards
Parmelee faces a high natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected losses in Parmelee break down as 30% from inland flooding and 28% from wildfires. FEMA expects more storm and flood damage here than in 70% of U.S. communities. One declared disaster, in 2019, has brought federal aid to Parmelee households.
70risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingWildfireCold waves
1
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Expect snowy winters and pleasant summers in Parmelee
Parmelee’s typical July afternoon high is 88°F.
47″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter15–37°
Spring34–59°
Summer58–85°
Fall36–62°
Oct 1
typical first frost
May 11
typical last frost
+1.2°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Health
A larger share of adults say their health is fair or poor in Parmelee than in most of South Dakota or the rest of the country
No town among the 36 in South Dakota we compare has a higher share of adults who get no exercise outside work than Parmelee. For adults here, the share who report frequent physical distress is 20%. Only 3 of the 36 South Dakota towns we compare have a lower share of adults who had a checkup this year than Parmelee. Just over a third of adults in Parmelee smoke cigarettes; 49% have obesity.
| Parmelee | South Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES) | 35% | 16% | 19% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 35% | 14% | 14% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 49% | 35% | 35% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 10% | 12% |
26 measures vs. South Dakota
2 better5 too close to call19 worse
| What stands out | Parmelee | SD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 4.8% | 9.2% |
| Fewer adults with high cholesterol | 28.7% | 34% |
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 53.6% | 12.7% |
PHS Indian Hospital at Rosebud
14.2 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Parmelee
14pages on Parmelee
The big questions
Out and about
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Parmelee; the nearest are
Sinte Gleska UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Mission21.3 mi$4,714 in-state tuitionWestern Dakota Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · Rapid City118.4 mi$8,294 in-state tuition
About 2 of every 100 Parmelee residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across South Dakota.
A commuter town
100% of working residents leave Parmelee for work
Where Parmelee’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
0jobs based in Parmelee
0%of working residents work in town
18 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Parmelee
CDP in South Dakota, United States
Parmelee also Wósoso (Lakota: wósoso; "cut meat") is a census-designated place (CDP) in Todd County, South Dakota, United States, which lies within the Rosebud Indian Reservation. The population was 606 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 5.8 sq mi
- Elevation
- 2,638 ft
- ZIP code
- 57566
- Area code
- 605
Questions about Parmelee
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Parmelee, SD a good place to live?
Parmelee has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.