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Brookings, SD


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Brookings, South Dakota

Introduction to Brookings, South Dakota

Brookings, South Dakota, in Brookings county, is 52 miles N of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and 180 miles W of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The city has a population of 18,504.

Brookings History

Brookings was named in honor of Wilmot Wood Brookings, a frontier judge and the first provisional governor of the Dakota Territory. The area was surveyed and platted in 1879. The first railroad reached the city on October 18, 1879. In the same year, it was named the seat of Brookings County, which was established on July 3, 1871. Prior to that, Medary was the county seat.

Brookings and nearby Attractions

  • Brookings Mall
  • South Dakota Art Museum
  • State Agricultural Heritage Museum
  • Oakwood Lakes State Park
  • Pipestone National Monument
  • Lake Poinsett Recreation Area

Things To Do In Brookings

There are several parks in Brookings. These include the Pioneer Park, Sexauer Park and Hillcrest Park. The Brookings Mall and University Mall are the local shopping destinations. The South Dakota Art Museum and the State Agricultural Heritage Museum are popular local destinations as well. One can also plan a family day trip to the Lake Poinsett Recreation Area or the Oakwood Lakes State Park. Local festivals include the Harvest Festival, the Summer Arts Festival and Hobo Days.

Brookings Transportation

Flights are available from Joe Foss Field Airport.

Brookings Higher Education

South Dakota State University is the local institution of higher education. Others in the neighborhood include Southwest State University, North Dakota State College of Science and the University of South Dakota.

High Points

Brookings strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in South Dakota):

CategoryTrophy
Short Commute Times
(vs. Peers)		Top 1%trophyBrookings Short Commute Times
College Educated Adults
(vs. State)		Top 2%trophyBrookings College Educated Adults
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)		Top 4%trophyBrookings Walking and Biking to Work
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)		Top 7%Brookings Well-Paid Single Women
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)		Top 9%Brookings Racial Diversity
Median Family Income
(vs. State)		Top 11%Brookings Median Family Income
Affordability of Rents
(vs. Peers)		Top 13%Brookings Affordability of Rents
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)		Top 18%Brookings Well-Paid Single Men

Comparative Profile of Brookings, SD

Comparing Brookings to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in South Dakota (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Male Share of the Population99
Well-Paid Single Women510
Well-Paid Single Men59
Senior Citizens32
Racial Diversity310
Female Share of the Population22
Children Under 5 Years Old24
Age of the Population11

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Average Household Size25
Portion of People Married21

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
College Educated Adults910
Median Family Income69
People in Middle Class or Better34
People Above Poverty22

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Short Commute Times108
Walking and Biking to Work109
Working at Home64
Public Transportation Use48

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People Living Alone96
Affordability of Rents93
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals910
Housing Recently Built89
Affordability of Property Taxes41
Seasonal and Vacation Housing43

Detailed pages on related topics: Brookings colleges • Brookings travel • Brookings mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

Brookings CollegesBrookings Colleges
Brookings colleges and trade schools.
Brookings Hotels & TravelBrookings Hotels & Travel
Brookings hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Brookings MortgageBrookings Mortgage
Brookings property, mortgage, and real estate.

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Historic Brookings

photo

Harvest scene near Brookings c1898.

Select a photo to view (Source):

Harvest scene near Brookings c1898.

Harvest scene near Brookings c1898.

A Harvest field between 1880 and 1898

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