#1Lead
Lawrence County · 3,064 peopleHistory grade, better than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #13 of 35 in SD
Lead, #1 on this list · Photo: Gary Chancey, Black Hills National Forest · Public domainSouth Dakota rankings · History
Most historic towns in South Dakota
Lead ranks first on history among South Dakota’s 35 towns of 2,500+; 6 of the 35 grade A− or better on history nationally.
The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. How grades work
#1A
#2Hot Springs
Fall River County · 3,670 peopleHistory grade, better than 89% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #23 of 35 in SD
#3Canton
Lincoln County · 3,001 peopleHistory grade, better than 82% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #9 of 35 in SD
All 35 towns
History grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank; the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
35 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
24Split Rock TownshipMinnehaha County · 3,086 peopleCbetter than 32% of U.S. towns·Overall A · #6 of 35
26Big Sioux TownshipUnion County · 5,152 peopleC−better than 21% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #11 of 35
28Blackhawkunincorporated, Meade County · 2,934 peopleC−better than 17% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #29 of 35
30Dakota Dunesunincorporated, Union County · 3,936 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #10 of 35
31Colonial Pine Hillsunincorporated, Pennington County · 2,609 peopleDbetter than 14% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #28 of 35
32Rapid Valleyunincorporated, Pennington County · 6,975 peopleDbetter than 10% of U.S. towns·Overall B− · #20 of 35
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the most historic town in South Dakota?
Lead (Lawrence County) ranks first on history among 35 towns, with an A; Hot Springs and Canton follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The History grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the town’s founding era, homes built before 1940 (Census ACS) and its National Register places. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a history grade (35 in South Dakota). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the South Dakota page.
Go deeper
All South Dakota rankings →More South Dakota lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live35 towns · #1 BrandonBest small towns21 towns · #1 LennoxMost affordable towns35 towns · #1 MilbankSafest towns23 towns · #1 Hot SpringsTowns with the best schools35 towns · #1 Brandon and Split Rock TownshipHealthiest towns35 towns · #1 Dakota DunesBest towns for jobs & income35 towns · #1 Split Rock TownshipMost walkable towns35 towns · #1 SturgisTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk35 towns · #1 Split Rock TownshipBest towns for the outdoors35 towns · #1 SpearfishTowns with the most civic life31 towns · #1 CantonTowns with the least snow35 towns · #1 Hot SpringsDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns35 towns · #1 LeadDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters37 towns · #1 SpearfishDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers37 towns · #1 WinnerDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers37 towns · #1 LeadDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes35 towns · #1 Split Rock TownshipDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes35 towns · #1 WinnerDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns30 towns · #1 HarrisburgDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries15 towns · #1 CantonDescribed, no letters
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