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Belle Fourche, SD

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Belle Fourche, SD

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 21
Population5,741
Foreign Born0.1%
Population Density633people per mi²
Median Age36.8 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
StableSince 2010, this city has held a relatively stable population and racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
B-
Good

Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

76/100

24% below national average

A+

The Real Cost of Living in Belle Fourche, South Dakota

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $15k$28k
Comfortable $37k$54k
Luxury $108k+$168k+
Elite (Top 5%) $137k+$212k+
Affordability Ratio

111%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

B-
Hood Index scan area
Balanced Mix58%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
5
Positive
8
Poor
5
Negative
1

Groceries

0 within 10 miles

11.8mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

1.5mi

Airport

Belle Fourche Municipal Airport (EFC)

4.3mi

Post Office

USPS — Spearfish, SD

11.4mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

1 private club within 10 miles.

Golf0Nearest 14.4 mi
Camping20Nearest 22.5 mi
Marina0 
Winery0 
Ice Rink0 
Gun Range4Nearest 0 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$60k+8.1%
20% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$1.2M
78% above US avg
College Educated
15.2%
57% below US avg
WFH
6.0%
58% below US avg
Homeownership
72.5%
11% above US avg
Median Home
$189k
33% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
A
Very Safe

Lower crime rates than 86% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
10.3
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
+43.7%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+32.9%
Homicide
0.00 / 1k Residents100% below state avg
Robbery
0.00 / 1k Residents100% below state avg
Aggravated Assault
1.86 / 1k Residents19% below state avg

Property Crime

5yr+54.5%
Burglary
0.51 / 1k Residents66% below state avg
Larceny-Theft
7.28 / 1k Residents27% below state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
0.00 / 1k Residents100% below state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+15Solidly Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Belle Fourche, South Dakota
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Inherited from parent state — no local data available.

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
B+
Good8.4% of income
Property Rights
B
GoodIJ Grade B
Firearm Rights
A-
GreatFPC Grade A-
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Importer (35% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A-
OpenFarm sales legal
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
C+
LimitedMedical only

Homesteading

Hardiness Zone4B~-22°F min
Growing Season165 days213 frost-free
Annual Rainfall17.9"
Elevation3,028 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
A-
Resilient

Strong survivability profile. Good buffer from population centers, with manageable environmental and tactical risks.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
A+
Great1531 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
C-
Weak633/sq mi
Fallout Danger
A+
Great0 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
A-
GoodInland Flooding
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 299 mi · coast 929 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$8.1M/yrfor the county

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-19T07:52:06.000Z

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