Vermillion is a city located in the southeastern corner of South Dakota. It is the 11th largest city in South Dakota, and also the country seat of Clay County. Ranked by Niche as the 5th best place to raise a family in South Dakota, Vermillion has charmed its residents and visitors for over 150 years. Notably, the city is home to the prestigious University of South Dakota – the oldest university in the state.  

What is the community of Vermillion like? 

Located at the confluence of Vermillion and Missouri rivers, Vermillion is a vibrant community just north of the Nebraska border and about 15 miles west of the Iowa border. The city’s art, culture, and history are second to none, and invariably amaze the city’s many visitors.  
When in Vermillion, one of the most fascinating places to visit is the campus of the University of South Dakota, whose 1883-built Old Main building stands proud as an icon for the city, and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. While on the campus, you may prolong your educational spree by heading to the prestigious National Music Museum, which is home to one of the largest collections of musical instruments in the world.  
You may also want to visit the W.H Over Museum that 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. Another historic landmark to visit in Vermillion is the Spirit Mound Historic Prairie that was part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804. Here, you will find yourself engulfed and perhaps overwhelmed by the chirping birds and soothing breeze amidst colorful wildflowers and beautiful prairie grass in the thick of summer.  
Vermillion is also home to many incredible restaurants; from Mr. Smith’s Café and Bakery that offers the yummiest sandwiches and delicious ribs and steaks at the Red Steakhouse to the most delectable mimosas and waffles at Café Brule, Vermillion has exotic cuisines for every palate. Besides, Vermillion is home to nine parks that span over 91 acres and include several major city parks including Prentis Park, Cotton Park, Barstow Park, and Lions Park.  

What is Real Estate like in Vermillion?     

Real estate in Vermillion has shown an average growth of 2.78% per year since the year 2000. Besides, since 2000, the prices of homes in Vermillion have appreciated by a strong 77.76%.  The sale prices of homes in Vermillion have experienced a decent growth of more than 5.9% over the last year.   
The median home price in Vermillion is $195,000. Currently, there are 33 active homes for sale in Vermillion, and normally it takes 150 days for a listed home to sell. Moreover, the average cost to rent a house in Vermillion is $976 per month. At present, there are 3,895 homes and apartments in the city, 35.3% of which are owned, and the remaining 64.7% are rented.      

How is the economic landscape of Vermillion?    

Vermillion's economy is greatly shaped by the University of South Dakota, which is also the largest employer in the city. Other major employers in Vermillion include, among others, Sanford Health Network, Walmart, Hy-Vee, and Vermillion City. 
Over the last year, Vermillion’s job market has grown by 2%, while its unemployment rate stands at a decent 3%. Also, the city’s job market is expected to grow by 33.3% in the next ten years.  
On average, a Vermillion resident earns around $17,454 per annum. The city’s median household income per resident is $28,690. Most of the residents of Vermillion work in construction, manufacturing, retail, and finance. 

How are the schools in Vermillion?     

Vermillion is covered by 4 school districts, with Vermillion School District being the city’s major school district encompassing 4 schools and 1,210 enrolled students. Besides, Vermillion also lies in proximity to almost 25 colleges within 100 miles including, among others, Mount Marty College, St Luke’s College, Morningside College, and Wayne State College. 
When it comes to higher education, the residents of Vermillion enjoy the presence of 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. It is also home to the National Music Museum, with over 15,000 American, European, and non-Western instruments. Besides, USD has seven colleges and universities offering 205 undergraduate and 75 graduate programs.  

Vermillion in a nutshell        

To sum up, Vermillion is a lively city home to a vibrant culture and rich history. The city has consistently ranked among the best places to raise a family in South Dakota, thanks to its manifold outdoor recreational facilities, park, restaurants, and being home to the state’s largest university. If you are mulling over moving to South Dakota, Vermillion shall have you covered quite handsomely.