Elk Point is a sparsely populated, serene city in Union County, South Dakota. It is the county seat of Union County and has been named one of the “Best Places to Live in Rural America” by Progressive Farmer. Besides, the city is home to a young population, with 35.4% of its residents under the age of 25.  

What is the community of Elk Point like? 

Incorporated in 1873, Elk Point takes great pride in its historical connections to the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804. Although not as renowned as many other American cities, Elk Point has its charms that often bewilder its visitors. The city offers many unique things to do and places you can explore while you are at this hidden gem.  
Visiting South Dakota, hunting is the one thing visitors are often looking forward to, and Elk Point is home to one of the best hunting destinations in the state – the wildlife reserves of Missouri River Outdoors. The reserves offer an enchanting hunting experience in the middle of the captive Union County suburbs that, among other things, involves an opportunity to hunt the official state bird of South Dakota – the Ringneck Pheasant – under the blue, clear sky hovering over an absolutely gorgeous landscape. 
Besides, just a few miles from Elk Point lies the beautiful Ponca State Park that offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, tent and primitive camping, boat ramps, a swimming pool, and tons of yearly events. The Park also offers private cabins with beautiful kitchens, a nice deck, large bedrooms, conveniently located fire pits, and easy check-in/check-out – perfect for a short getaway with family or friends.  
Elk Point is also home to Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve. This beautiful destination spans over 1,500 acres along the Missouri River and offers close to 10 miles of limestone trails that go through prairie, forest, and along the riverbank. Home to over 100 species of birds, a wide variety of native plants, and a plethora of different animals, this natural preserve never fails to spellbound its visitors.  
Also in proximity to Elk Park are two incredibly rich museums - the W.H Over Museum and National Music Museum. The W.H Over Museum offers educational programs, fossil collections, pieces of art, and a plethora of artifacts with a mission to collect, preserve, research, and exhibit objects related to South Dakota, while the prestigious National Music Museum plays home to one of the largest collections of musical instruments in the world.  
Besides, Elk Point is also home to the Country Club Golf Course, which is a 9-hole golf course with well-manicured greens and opulent surroundings.  

What is Real Estate like in Elk Point?     

Since 2010, the prices of homes in Elk Point have appreciated by 6.2%. According to local real estate company Maloney Real Estate the sale prices of homes in Elk Point have experienced strong growth of more than 6.8% over the last year.   
The median home price in Elk Point is $259,900. Currently, there are 15 active homes for sale in Elk Point. Moreover, the average cost to rent a house in Elk Point is $822 per month. At present, there are 854 homes and apartments in the city, 77.8% of which are owned, and the remaining 22.2% are rented.      

How is the economic landscape of Elk Point?    

Over the last year, Elk Point’s job market has grown by 1.4%, while its unemployment rate stands at a decent 3%. Also, the city’s job market is expected to grow by 25% in the next ten years. Besides, Elk Point is decidedly home to white-collar professionals who make 78.86% of the city’s employed workforce. 
On average, an Elk Point resident earns around $27,000 per annum, almost in line with the US average of $28500. The city’s median household income per resident is about $48,400. Most of the residents of Elk Point work in construction, manufacturing, retail, finance, and transportation.

How are the schools in Elk Point?     

Elk Point is covered by 4 school districts, with Elk Point-Jefferson School District being the city’s major school district encompassing 3 schools and 702 enrolled students. Besides, Elk Point also lies in proximity to 27 colleges within 100 miles of its circumference including, among others, St Luke’s College, Morningside College, and Western Iowa Tech Community College.  
When it comes to higher education, Elk Point lies just 14 miles from South Dakota’s largest and the oldest public university – the University of South Dakota (USD). Founded in 1862 – 27 years before the establishment of the state of South Dakota – USD is home to South Dakota’s only medical school and law school. Besides, USD has seven colleges and universities offering 205 undergraduate and 75 graduate programs.     

Elk Point in a nutshell   

To sum up, Elk Point is a calm, elegant city offering all the modern-day urban amenities including great schools, restaurants, parks, and other outdoor recreational facilities. It has consistently ranked among the safest and the best places to live in South Dakota. Should you decide to move to South Dakota, Elk Point would definitely make a nice, peaceful sanctuary to raise your family.