With its many outdoor activities and landmarks like Mount Rushmore, South Dakota has lots to offer both tourists and locals. Certain towns are great for relocating, but others have drawbacks. Certain neighborhoods are impacted by problems including high rates of crime, few job options, low incomes, and underfunded schools.

Belle Fourche is clearly the least desirable place to reside in South Dakota in 2024, based on statistics from the FBI and other sources. Here are a few explanations for this:

Elevated Crime Rates

The seat of Butte County and the geographic center of the United States are Belle Fourche, a small city in the western region of the state with 5,760 citizens. Sadly, with 1,043 violent crimes committed against every 100,000 residents, it also bears the unwelcome distinction of having South Dakota’s highest violent crime rate. Residents now have a 1 in 96 risk of falling victim to violent crimes like robbery, assault, rape, or murder. With 4,474 property crimes committed for every 100,000 persons, there is a concerning 1 in 22 possibility of becoming a victim of a property crime, such as theft, arson, or burglary.

Belle Fourche’s growing crime statistics throughout the years indicate that the community’s safety worries are getting worse. The city had 258 property crimes and 60 violent crimes in 2020. In just three years, there was a 36.7% spike in violent crime and a 34.9% increase in property crime, with these numbers rising to 82 violent crimes and 348 property crimes by 2023.

Economic Challenges

Belle Fourche is experiencing economic difficulties as seen by the citywide unemployment rate of 7.2%, which is higher than both the state and national averages of 6.1% and 5.1%. At $42,857, the median household income is below the national average of $62,843 as well as the state average of $59,533. Furthermore, the city’s poverty rate of 18.7% is higher than both the state’s 12.6% and the federal government’s 13.4% averages.

In Belle Fourche, residents have difficulty finding chances for employment, education, and promotion. The city is less educated than the state and national norms, which are 28.8% and 32.6%, respectively, with only 17.8% of adults having a bachelor’s degree or above. There is little economic diversification; the mining, retail, and agriculture industries dominate.

Subpar Quality of Life

Belle Fourche’s low livability score of 57 out of 100 according to AreaVibes indicates that residents enjoy a mediocre quality of life. The city does badly in terms of housing, amenities, weather, and education. There aren’t many options for dining, shopping, entertainment, or recreation. The city has extreme weather all year round, with chilly winters, scorching summers, and frequent storms. With a 16:1 student-teacher ratio and an 83% graduation rate, the school system scores poorly. With a typical property value of $172,300 and a median rent of $833, the cost of living is higher than the state average.

It is difficult for Belle Fourche residents to lead a cozy, pleasant, and healthful existence. With a life expectancy of only 76.4 years, the city is less fortunate than the state and national norms, which are 79.5 and 78.9 years, respectively. With 33.9% of persons considered fat, the obesity rate is high compared to state and national averages. At 62.3 out of 100, the well-being index is low compared to the state and national standards of 66.2 and 65.9.

Conclusion

Based on statistics from multiple sources, Belle Fourche is vying for the unwelcome title of South Dakota’s worst city to live in 2024. The city is beset by low quality of life, a faltering economy, and high crime rates. That’s not a safe, prosperous, or fun place to live. Other South Dakota cities, like Brookings, which RoadSnacks says is the finest location to live in the state, or Brandon, which is renowned for safety, may offer residents greater options and a higher standard of living.

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