RANK #390 / 1001 NAT · POP 203,289
1YR FORECAST: +0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Minnehaha County, South Dakota, is often recognized for the dramatic quartzite waterfalls of the Big Sioux River in Falls Park, which gave Sioux Falls its name and serves as a natural landmark in the heart of the county's largest city. Located in southeastern South Dakota, bordering Minnesota and Iowa, the county encompasses rolling agricultural hills and smaller communities like Brandon and Dell Rapids, which are about a 20-minute drive from Sioux Falls. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, though Sioux Falls offers public bus routes. The community feel ranges from urban in Sioux Falls to more rural in outlying areas, with outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, biking, and water activities at places like Palisades State Park and Wall Lake.
Life in Minnehaha County appeals to families and young professionals, with highly rated public schools across districts like Brandon Valley and Sioux Falls. The economy is diverse, with significant employment in healthcare, social assistance, manufacturing, and finance. Recent economic developments show continued growth, driven by investments in sectors such as data centers and manufacturing, which contribute to the area's ongoing expansion. This growth has led to an increase in housing demand, with both single-family homes and apartment complexes being developed.
Minnehaha County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.3% YoY, population +1.3%, wages +2.8%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Schwan's Company Asian Food Manufacturing Plant
CJ CheilJedang (subsidiary Schwan's Company)
|
$544M | Under Construction |
|
Gemini Data Center Sioux Falls
Gemini Data Center SD LLC
|
$500M | Planned |
|
FedEx Ground Distribution Center (Project Puma)
FedEx Ground (Scannell Properties)
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 61/100, Minnehaha County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.9%, and median household income stands at $76,880 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in SD.
Housing in Minnehaha County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $287,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $978/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Minnehaha County's population is growing — up +1.3% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.9%). Home values shifted +1.3% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.32% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Minnehaha County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.