Meade
6.3
High score (8-10)
Meade County is famous for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which for one week every August brings 500,000+ riders and creates a culture of outsider tolerance that persists year-round. The county also contains Fort Meade Army Reserve land, and Ellsworth Air Force Base (technically in Pennington County but immediately adjacent) means military personnel are a constant part of the social fabric — people who are accustomed to being in places they didn't grow up in. The Black Hills at the county's south end give the outdoor recreation scene real credibility. Year-round Sturgis has an actual bar scene on Main Street and a biker-friendly openness that makes it easier to walk in as a stranger than most South Dakota towns this size.
Mid score (6-8) · Your profile
Sturgis is a real town beyond the rally, and the military and outdoor recreation demographics give it more social variety than the population size suggests. Meade County has around 30,000 residents, which gives it some critical mass. The social scene is not as developed as Rapid City but it's not as closed as the farming counties.
Lower score (below 6)
Outside of rally week in August, Sturgis is a small town of around 7,000 people with limited social infrastructure. The biker culture is specific, and if you're not part of that world, the permanent social scene is thin. The county is large but most of it is open range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the median income in Meade, SouthDakota?
$81k median
What's the typical marriage age for women in Meade, SouthDakota?
Women marry at 29
How common is a college degree in Meade, SouthDakota?
35% men have degree
What's the average male height in Meade, SouthDakota?
176 cm local avg
What's the average BMI for women in Meade, SouthDakota?
Local women avg 29.8