Though they are more populous, not a single one of these cities outranks Pierre on SmartAsset’s 2020 list of “Best State Capitals To Live In.”
“Our beautiful state capital, Pierre, was just rated the 7th ‘best state capital to live in,’ Gov. Kristi Noem tweeted on Monday. “One more reason to move to South Dakota! If you love freedom and fresh air, we’d love to have you join us.”
SmartAsset states that it is a personal finance technology company headquartered in New York City. One of only six state capitals rated higher than Pierre on the list is Lincoln, Nebraska.
“Like in Lincoln, Nebraska, recent layoffs in Pierre, South Dakota have been less severe than in other cities,” SmartAsset states of Pierre. “The May 2020 unemployment rate in Hughes County stood at 6.8%, roughly six percentage points lower than the national average. Beyond this, Pierre residents have high income relative to housing costs in the area. The 2018 median household income after housing costs stood at $51,029, the sixth-highest in our study.”
The only six state capitals (all of which have more residents) to outrank Pierre on the list include:
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Annapolis, Maryland
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Bismarck, North Dakota
- Boise, Idaho
“I grew up in Pierre and have always known it to be a great place to live and raise a family. I’m pleased our terrific quality of life is getting recognized on a national scale,” Pierre Mayor Steve Harding said. “With all the improvements we have coming in the next couple of years –a new outdoor pool, a new water treatment facility, and other utility upgrades –our quality of life is only going to get better. The city has a very, very bright future.”
Pierre, By The Numbers
These are the most recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics regarding Pierre:
13,867
52.3%
Population that is female
1,014
$171,000
Median Value of an owner-occupied home
80%
Households with broadband internet access
36.5%
Residents age 25 or older with at least a bachelor’s degree
9.6 minutes
Average travel time to work
$33,103
Per capita income in last 12 months
