Are you a native South Dakotan looking for a change in scenery? Or maybe you are an out-of-stater looking to relocate and have made the wise decision to move to South Dakota? No matter your situation, you have stumbled upon the right article, as the town of Madison SD is the perfect place to live! There are so many amazing natural wonders in South Dakota, as well as wonderful small towns (and small cities). Check out why Madison is probably the perfect place to call home:

  1. It’s not too big and not too small.

Flickr/J. Stephen Conn With a population of nearly 7,500, Madison has almost everything you need while still keeping that quaint, small-town feel. It’s a friendly, warm place (well, not in the winter, but you know what we mean) where you’ll meet a new friend at every turn. We love that about this little town!

  1. Madison is affordable.

Flickr/401(K) 2012 The dream of owning your own home is obtainable in Madison, with both a median home price of $113,600 and a cost of living that is 23.1% lower than the national average. The Dakotas are states that go grossly underappreciated, we think, and Madison is an excellent example of why. Not only is it amazing: it’s also affordable!

  1. Jobs are ample. 

Flickr/Magnus Hagdorn While the U.S. unemployment rate sits at 3.9%, Madison’s is 3.5%, which recently increased by 2.6%. In addition to these statistics, Madison’s economy is predicted to grow by 28.5% in the next 10 years. Nice!

  1. Need to get away? There is an airport for that! 

Flickr/Shai Barzilay Big and busy airports are the worst, which is why we are SO happy to have our own municipal airport in Madison. Whether you need to get to Seattle, Boston, or New York, you can do so without the headache via the Madison Municipal Airport! No need for big city hustle and bustle when you can just fly out of here and skip the crowds.

  1. You are close to the big city… but it doesn’t feel like it. 

Christian Collins/Flickr Do you want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city for only a night or two? You are in luck, as Madison is located less than an hour from Sioux Falls, meaning you can easily run in for groceries, a show, or for an exciting weekend excursion. You could even turn it into the perfect day trip while you’re at it. Sounds nice, we’re in.

  1. The city can be a nice change, but we have a great downtown area, too. 

Flickr/Cherie Ve Ard As folks who grew up in small towns, we can vouch for how the city can be a nice change of pace; however, Madison’s downtown area is about as charming as it gets thanks to its many shops, restaurants, museums, and more. You’ll never run out of things to do, see, or experience.

  1. If you love the great outdoors, you will love Madison! 

Lake Herman State Park & Walker’s Point Recreation Area Facebook When it comes to hiking, camping, boating, and fishing, there is no better place to be than Lake Herman State Park, which is located on the outskirts of town and houses a famous 1,350-acre lake that was formed by melting ice glaciers some thousands of years ago. 

  1. Madison is a great place to raise a family. 

Flickr/Tom Kelly If you have young children or are looking to start a family, we are happy to report that Madison is an excellent place for them, too. Not only is Madison a generally safe community, but it also has highly rated schools ranging from elementary all the way up to college, as this little town is home to Dakota State University, making it a desirable location for young adults from in and out of state.

Why do you love Madison? If not Madison, what IS your favorite small town in South Dakota? Let us know: share your thoughts in the comments! For even more South Dakota living, check out these things you won’t even know until you’re already all moved in (for those thinking about moving to South Dakota)!

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Address: Madison, SD 57042, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Madison, SD January 09, 2023 Tori Jane

What is the population of Madison, SD?  

As of 2021, the population of Madison, SD is just 6,071 people. It’s the seat of beautiful Lake County, and it’s located nearby countless amazing things to do, see, and experience.   2. What are some fun things to do in Madison, SD?   Madison is a vibrant place with plenty of delightful things to do! Some of our favorite things to do in Madison, SD are things like:  

The Annual Steam Threshing Jamboree    Lake Herman State Park   

The Historic Prairie Village   The Smith-Zimmerman Museum  

  3. What are some other options when it comes to the best towns in SD?   Of course, Madison is far from the only wonderful town in South Dakota. Other amazing towns in SD include idyllic places such as:  

Deadwood   

Gary    Hill City    Dell Rapids    Custer   

  1. It’s not too big and not too small.

Flickr/J. Stephen Conn With a population of nearly 7,500, Madison has almost everything you need while still keeping that quaint, small-town feel. It’s a friendly, warm place (well, not in the winter, but you know what we mean) where you’ll meet a new friend at every turn. We love that about this little town!

  1. Madison is affordable.

Flickr/401(K) 2012 The dream of owning your own home is obtainable in Madison, with both a median home price of $113,600 and a cost of living that is 23.1% lower than the national average. The Dakotas are states that go grossly underappreciated, we think, and Madison is an excellent example of why. Not only is it amazing: it’s also affordable!

  1. Jobs are ample. 

Flickr/Magnus Hagdorn While the U.S. unemployment rate sits at 3.9%, Madison’s is 3.5%, which recently increased by 2.6%. In addition to these statistics, Madison’s economy is predicted to grow by 28.5% in the next 10 years. Nice!

  1. Need to get away? There is an airport for that! 

Flickr/Shai Barzilay Big and busy airports are the worst, which is why we are SO happy to have our own municipal airport in Madison. Whether you need to get to Seattle, Boston, or New York, you can do so without the headache via the Madison Municipal Airport! No need for big city hustle and bustle when you can just fly out of here and skip the crowds.

  1. You are close to the big city… but it doesn’t feel like it. 

Christian Collins/Flickr Do you want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city for only a night or two? You are in luck, as Madison is located less than an hour from Sioux Falls, meaning you can easily run in for groceries, a show, or for an exciting weekend excursion. You could even turn it into the perfect day trip while you’re at it. Sounds nice, we’re in.

  1. The city can be a nice change, but we have a great downtown area, too. 

Flickr/Cherie Ve Ard As folks who grew up in small towns, we can vouch for how the city can be a nice change of pace; however, Madison’s downtown area is about as charming as it gets thanks to its many shops, restaurants, museums, and more. You’ll never run out of things to do, see, or experience.

  1. If you love the great outdoors, you will love Madison! 

Lake Herman State Park & Walker’s Point Recreation Area Facebook When it comes to hiking, camping, boating, and fishing, there is no better place to be than Lake Herman State Park, which is located on the outskirts of town and houses a famous 1,350-acre lake that was formed by melting ice glaciers some thousands of years ago. 

  1. Madison is a great place to raise a family. 

Flickr/Tom Kelly If you have young children or are looking to start a family, we are happy to report that Madison is an excellent place for them, too. Not only is Madison a generally safe community, but it also has highly rated schools ranging from elementary all the way up to college, as this little town is home to Dakota State University, making it a desirable location for young adults from in and out of state.

Why do you love Madison? If not Madison, what IS your favorite small town in South Dakota? Let us know: share your thoughts in the comments! For even more South Dakota living, check out these things you won’t even know until you’re already all moved in (for those thinking about moving to South Dakota)!

Flickr/J. Stephen Conn

With a population of nearly 7,500, Madison has almost everything you need while still keeping that quaint, small-town feel. It’s a friendly, warm place (well, not in the winter, but you know what we mean) where you’ll meet a new friend at every turn. We love that about this little town!

Flickr/401(K) 2012

The dream of owning your own home is obtainable in Madison, with both a median home price of $113,600 and a cost of living that is 23.1% lower than the national average. The Dakotas are states that go grossly underappreciated, we think, and Madison is an excellent example of why. Not only is it amazing: it’s also affordable!

Flickr/Magnus Hagdorn

While the U.S. unemployment rate sits at 3.9%, Madison’s is 3.5%, which recently increased by 2.6%. In addition to these statistics, Madison’s economy is predicted to grow by 28.5% in the next 10 years. Nice!

Flickr/Shai Barzilay

Big and busy airports are the worst, which is why we are SO happy to have our own municipal airport in Madison. Whether you need to get to Seattle, Boston, or New York, you can do so without the headache via the Madison Municipal Airport! No need for big city hustle and bustle when you can just fly out of here and skip the crowds.

Christian Collins/Flickr

Do you want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city for only a night or two? You are in luck, as Madison is located less than an hour from Sioux Falls, meaning you can easily run in for groceries, a show, or for an exciting weekend excursion. You could even turn it into the perfect day trip while you’re at it. Sounds nice, we’re in.

Flickr/Cherie Ve Ard

As folks who grew up in small towns, we can vouch for how the city can be a nice change of pace; however, Madison’s downtown area is about as charming as it gets thanks to its many shops, restaurants, museums, and more. You’ll never run out of things to do, see, or experience.

Lake Herman State Park & Walker’s Point Recreation Area Facebook

When it comes to hiking, camping, boating, and fishing, there is no better place to be than Lake Herman State Park, which is located on the outskirts of town and houses a famous 1,350-acre lake that was formed by melting ice glaciers some thousands of years ago. 

Flickr/Tom Kelly

If you have young children or are looking to start a family, we are happy to report that Madison is an excellent place for them, too. Not only is Madison a generally safe community, but it also has highly rated schools ranging from elementary all the way up to college, as this little town is home to Dakota State University, making it a desirable location for young adults from in and out of state.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Madison, SD

January 09, 2023

Tori Jane

What is the population of Madison, SD?  

As of 2021, the population of Madison, SD is just 6,071 people. It’s the seat of beautiful Lake County, and it’s located nearby countless amazing things to do, see, and experience.   2. What are some fun things to do in Madison, SD?   Madison is a vibrant place with plenty of delightful things to do! Some of our favorite things to do in Madison, SD are things like:  

The Annual Steam Threshing Jamboree    Lake Herman State Park   

The Historic Prairie Village   The Smith-Zimmerman Museum  

  3. What are some other options when it comes to the best towns in SD?   Of course, Madison is far from the only wonderful town in South Dakota. Other amazing towns in SD include idyllic places such as:  

Deadwood   

Gary    Hill City    Dell Rapids    Custer   

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

As of 2021, the population of Madison, SD is just 6,071 people. It’s the seat of beautiful Lake County, and it’s located nearby countless amazing things to do, see, and experience.  

  1. What are some fun things to do in Madison, SD?  

Madison is a vibrant place with plenty of delightful things to do! Some of our favorite things to do in Madison, SD are things like:  

  • The Annual Steam Threshing Jamboree

  • Lake Herman State Park

  • The Historic Prairie Village

  • The Smith-Zimmerman Museum

 

  1. What are some other options when it comes to the best towns in SD?  

Of course, Madison is far from the only wonderful town in South Dakota. Other amazing towns in SD include idyllic places such as:  

  • Deadwood

  • Gary

  • Hill City

  • Dell Rapids

  • Custer