Brookings, SD

Brookings is South Dakota's quintessential college town, combining prairie charm with the lively energy of South Dakota State University. Home to around 25,000 residents, the community swells by another 12,000 students every fall, filling the town with blue-and-yellow Jackrabbit pride. The university shapes the rhythm of the year, bringing Division I athletics, performing arts, and a steady stream of newcomers into the heart of the city.

ATTRJake DeGroot / CC BY-SA 3.0

The city layout revolves around two main hubs: the historic downtown along Main Avenue and the SDSU campus just to the north. Beautiful, tree-shaded streets with historic homes connect the two, while newer subdivisions and shopping centers spread outward toward Interstate 29 and Highway 14. When looking for a home, location makes a noticeable difference in daily routines. Neighborhoods right next to campus stay busy with student rentals and game-day parking, while subdivisions farther out offer quiet cul-de-sacs and spacious yards.

ATTRTony Webster / CC BY 2.0

The local economy is anchored by heavy hitters in manufacturing, tech, agriculture, and healthcare. Daktronics, famous worldwide for building giant sports scoreboards and electronic displays, got its start here and remains a major local employer. You will also find steady careers at companies like Bel Brands, Solventum, and the university research park. SDSU itself provides hundreds of jobs across education, healthcare, and agricultural science, giving the city a stable job market with diverse career opportunities.

ATTRTony Webster / CC BY 2.0

Daily life here comes with surprising cultural perks for a town of its size. Downtown features local coffee shops, independent boutiques, and the popular Children's Museum of South Dakota. On campus, residents enjoy the McCrory Gardens, the South Dakota Art Museum, and the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, while Pioneer Park hosts the massive Brookings Summer Arts Festival each July. Getting around town is simple and usually takes less than ten minutes by car or bike. Public transit runs via dial-a-ride vans through the Brookings Area Transit Authority, so most residents rely on their own vehicles to enjoy everything the community offers.