Brookings Public RecordsSouth Dakota

Brookings, SD, boasts a homeownership rate of around 54%, with median home values near $255,000 as of early 2024. The median rent is about $950 monthly. The local market trends show moderate price appreciation, driven by demand from university-related growth. Housing types include single-family homes, apartments, and townhomes, mainly in neighborhoods like Indian Hills, Camelot Square, and the Historic District. Property taxes average 1.3% of assessed value. Brookings offers affordable living, a stable market, and a range of options for both owners and renters.

Brookings, SD, hosts a strong educational system with 8 public schools, including Brookings High School, which boasts a graduation rate of 96% and average ACT scores of 22. South Dakota State University, located in the city, enrolls over 11,000 students in bachelor’s and graduate programs. Adult education is supported through community initiatives and university offerings. Brookings schools emphasize safety, reporting a low incidence of school crime, and offer diverse educational programs, including Advanced Placement and STEM.

Brookings, SD, had a population of 23,993 as of the 2020 Census. The median age is 24.5 years, reflecting the presence of South Dakota State University. About 51% of residents are male and 49% female. Racially, the city is 88.7% White, 3.8% Asian, 2.4% Black or African American, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, and 2.2% mixed or other races.

Brookings, SD, features a primarily car-dependent transportation system, with about 83% of workers commuting by car and an average one-way commute time of about 14 minutes (U.S. Census, 2022). Public transit usage is minimal, with less than 1% of residents using bus services operated by Brookings Area Transit Authority. The city offers over 120 miles of roadways and limited bike paths. Approximately 91% of households own at least one vehicle. Major employment hubs include South Dakota State University and manufacturing firms, influencing local commuting flows.

Brookings, SD, offers healthcare through Brookings Health System, a 49-bed hospital, and several clinics, including Avera Medical Group and Sanford Health. Healthcare access is robust, with about 91.6% of residents insured (Census, 2021). The county’s population skews young (median age ~25.3), partly due to South Dakota State University. Common health issues include obesity (adult rate ~32%) and diabetes. Providers include around 120 healthcare professionals locally. The city's diverse clinics offer primary, specialty, women’s, and mental health services, serving both urban and rural patients in Brookings County.