Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Belle Fourche, SD
            Thinking of relocating to Belle Fourche, SD? With a welcoming population of around 5,700, this charming city features affordable living—median home prices are about $230,000 and average rents just $870. Residents enjoy short commute times (16.5 minutes), a low cost of living, and plenty of sunshine (68% sunny days). Crime rates are moderate for the region, and while education attainment is lower than national averages, Belle Fourche offers a friendly community, easy access to healthcare, and the beautiful scenery of western South Dakota.
            
                
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                                
                                    
                                    
                                    Demographics - Belle Fourche, SD
                                    
                                 
                            
                                
                                Demographics - Belle Fourche, SD
                                
                                
                                    
                                    Belle Fourche is home to approximately 5,700 residents, with a median age of 39.2 and a population density of 1,100 per square mile. The city is predominantly White (92%), with small Native American and Hispanic communities, and around 3.4% of residents speak a language other than English at home. The gender balance is fairly even, making for a diverse and family-friendly environment.
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Population:
                                            5,700
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Density:
                                            1,100 per sq mi
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Median Age:
                                            39.2
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Gender Ratio:
                                            96 males per 100 females
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Non-English Speakers Percentage:
                                            3.4%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                            
Ethnic Composition
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            White:
                                            92.0%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                 
                                 
                             
                        
                     
                 
                
                    
                 
                
                
                    
                 
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                Cost Of Living
                                
                                    
                                    What is the average cost of living in Belle Fourche, SD?
                                    Belle Fourche offers an affordable lifestyle, with a median home value of $230,000 and average rent around $870 per month. The overall cost of living index is well below the national average at 87.4, and South Dakota’s lack of state income tax further benefits residents. Everyday expenses like utilities and groceries also remain manageable, making the city attractive for budget-conscious families and retirees.
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Median House Value:
                                            $230,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Gross Rent:
                                            $870
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Monthly Electricity Charges:
                                            $125
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Auto Insurance:
                                            $1,050
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
                                            $1,110
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
                                            $410
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            State Taxes: 
                                            
                                            Low:
                                            0%
                                            
                                        | 
                                    
                                            
High:
                                            0%
                                            
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Cost Of Living Index:
                                            87.4
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Grocery:
                                            95.2
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Housing:
                                            76.4
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Utilities:
                                            98.1
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Transportation:
                                            94.6
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Health Care:
                                            96.5
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Miscellaneous:
                                            92.3
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                 
                             
                            
                            
                         
                     
                 
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                
                            
                                Crime
                                
                                    
                                    Is Belle Fourche, SD a safe place to live?
                                    Crime rates in Belle Fourche are moderate for the region, with violent crime occurring at a rate of 242 incidents per 100,000 people and property crime at 1,540 per 100,000. The chance of being a victim of violent crime is about 1 in 413, while the chance of property crime is 1 in 65. Residents generally find the city to be safe, with crime levels comparable to many similar-sized communities.
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Violent Crimes Per 100k:
                                            242
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Property Crimes Per 100k:
                                            1,540
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Crime Index:
                                            1,782
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Chance Of Violent Crime:
                                            1 in 413
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Chance Of Property Crime:
                                            1 in 65
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                 
                                  
                             
                       
                     
                 
                
                
                    
                 
                
                
                    
                 
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                Weather
                                
                                    
                                    What is the weather like in Belle Fourche, SD year-round?
                                    Belle Fourche enjoys a four-season climate with warm summers reaching average highs of 86°F and cold winters dipping to 14°F at night. The city receives about 17.5 inches of rainfall annually and boasts 68% sunny days, providing plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities year-round. Spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures, making the area appealing for those who appreciate seasonal variety.
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
Winter
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Min:
                                            14°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Max:
                                            34°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
Spring
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Min:
                                            32°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Max:
                                            61°F
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
Summer
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Min:
                                            54°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Max:
                                            86°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
Fall
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Min:
                                            33°F
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Max:
                                            65°F
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        Average Rainfall Inches:
                                        17.5 inches
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        Sunny Days Percentage:
                                        68%
                                     
                                    
                                 
                             
                            
                            
                         
                     
                 
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                
                            
                                Neighbors
                                
                                    
                                    Local households in Belle Fourche have a median income of $57,000, with a poverty rate of 12.9%. The majority of residents have at least a high school diploma, and unemployment remains low at 3.1%. Most people enjoy short commutes averaging about 16.5 minutes and benefit from a supportive, community-oriented atmosphere.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Median Income:
                                            $34,100
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Household Income:
                                            $57,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Family Income:
                                            $65,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Per Capita Income:
                                            $28,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Income Male:
                                            $39,500
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Income Female:
                                            $32,800
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Poverty Rate:
                                            12.9%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Non English Speakers:
                                            3.4%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Rent:
                                            $870
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Unemployment Rate:
                                            3.1%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Public Transport Usage:
                                            0.3%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Commute Time:
                                            16.5 minutes
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
Education
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            High School or Higher:
                                            91.2%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Bachelors or More:
                                            19.2%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                 
                                 
                             
                        
                     
                 
                
                
                    
                 
                
                
                    
                 
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                Education
                                
                                    
                                    How are the schools in Belle Fourche, SD?
                                    Belle Fourche offers quality public schooling with manageable class sizes, such as Belle Fourche High School and South Park Elementary, supporting a student-teacher ratio around 14:1. While there are no private schools in town, higher education is easily accessible at Black Hills State University, located just 13 miles away. The city’s commitment to education makes it a strong choice for families.
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
Public Schools
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Name:
                                            Belle Fourche High School
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Street:
                                            2305 13th Ave
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Phone:
                                            605-723-3359
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Students:
                                            430
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Student Teacher Ratio:
                                            13.7
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Name:
                                            South Park Elementary School
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Street:
                                            1805 13th Ave
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Phone:
                                            605-723-3382
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Students:
                                            370
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Student Teacher Ratio:
                                            14.1
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                        
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
Colleges
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Name:
                                            Black Hills State University
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            City:
                                            Spearfish
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            State:
                                            SD
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Distance:
                                            13 miles
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Students:
                                            4,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                     
                                 
                             
                            
                            
                         
                     
                 
                
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                
                            
                                Healthcare
                                
                                    
                                    Residents have convenient access to medical care at the Monument Health Belle Fourche Clinic, with more advanced and emergency services available nearby in Spearfish. The area offers about 1.5 physicians per 1,000 people, and nearly 89% of residents have health insurance coverage. Healthcare services are considered accessible and reliable for most local needs.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Major Hospitals
                                        
 
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Name:
                                            Monument Health Belle Fourche Clinic
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Address:
                                            2200 13th Ave, Belle Fourche, SD 57717
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Phone:
                                            (605) 723-8970
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Type:
                                            General & Family Medicine
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Emergency Services:
                                            No
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Name:
                                            Spearfish Hospital (nearby)
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Address:
                                            1440 N Main St, Spearfish, SD 57783
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Phone:
                                            (605) 644-4000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Type:
                                            General & Surgical
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Emergency Services:
                                            Yes
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Physicians Per 1000:
                                            1.5
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Health Insurance Coverage:
                                            89.1%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Health Care Index:
                                            77.4
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                 
                                  
                             
                     
                 
                
                
                    
                 
                
                
                
                    
                 
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                Housing Market
                                
                                    
                                    What is the housing market like in Belle Fourche, SD?
                                    The Belle Fourche housing market is stable and affordable, with a median home price around $230,000 and average rent for a two-bedroom at $870. About 68% of residents own their homes, and the area experiences a low foreclosure rate of 0.3%. Home values have appreciated modestly over the past year, making it an appealing place for both buyers and renters.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Median Home Price:
                                            $230,000
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
                                            $870
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Owner Occupied Rate:
                                            68.4%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Rental Vacancy Rate:
                                            7.8%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
                                            4.2%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            New Construction Rate:
                                            1.1%
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Foreclosure Rate:
                                            0.3%
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                 
                             
                            
                            
                         
                     
                 
                
                
                
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                            
                            
                                
                            
                                DMV Information
                                
                                    
                                    Driver licensing and vehicle registration in Belle Fourche are managed through the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, with the nearest major office located in Rapid City. Residents can access DMV services both in-person and online for convenience. The department provides comprehensive guidelines for obtaining or renewing licenses and vehicle titles.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            State:
                                            South Dakota
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Department:
                                            South Dakota Department of Public Safety - Driver Licensing
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Address:
                                            130 Kansas City St, Rapid City, SD 57701
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Phone:
                                            1-605-773-6883
                                         
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                            Website:
                                            
                                         
                                        
                                     
                                 
                                 
                             
                        
                     
                 
                
                
                
             
            Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.