Why South Dakota Ranks Among The Best States For Raising Kids

Without a doubt, one of the best things you can say about a place is that it is a good environment to raise children.

South Dakota is one of those special places.

According to a new study by Go Au Pair, which examined child well-being across all 50 states in terms of economic stability, education outcomes, health indicators, and home environments, South Dakota is among America's ten best states for kids.

Using numbers from the Annie E. Casey Foundation Data Center, National Assessment of Educational Progress, and Kaiser Family Foundation, among others, rankings and scores were calculated based on these categories:

Parental unemployment
Median family income
Children living in crowded housing
Child and teen death rate
Children and teens with anxiety or depression
4th-grade math and reading scores
Children without health insurance
Child obesity
Percentage of children living in households with smokers

South Dakota checks in at number ten, largely due to the lowest parental unemployment rate in the country at just 1%. The state also had the lowest percentage of kids with anxiety or depression among the top ten states. Education outcomes were also respectable, with a score of 240 in math (9th grade).

BEST STATES FOR CHILD WELL-BEING

Massachusetts
New Jersey
Connecticut
Utah
Colorado
New Hampshire
Minnesota
Maryland
Nebraska
South Dakota

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A Survival Guide For Winter in South Dakota

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the rest of the Sioux Empire (AKA southeastern South Dakota) are welcoming thousands of new residents every year.

Many of you new folks will be experiencing your first eastern South Dakota winter. While it doesn't usually get as bad as our Dakota friends up north, I speak from experience when I say it can get a little rough.

MORE: What Every South Dakotan Should Be Doing to Prepare for Winter

So, to help ease you into winter in Sioux Falls and South Dakota here are some winter survival tips:

Gallery Credit: RESULTS-TOWNSQUARE MEDIA SIOUX FALLS

From Frybread to Pheasants - Here are South Dakota's Official State Things

Every state in our nation has chosen things that represent the state in one way or another to be official state things. Like a flower, or animal. South Dakota is no different.

The Mount Rushmore has a state flower. But did you know we also have a state tree and a state fish? Yes, we even have a state code.

Here is what we have so far in Wyoming. Thanks to the South Dakota Secretary of State's Office for the info:

The Ultimate Sioux Falls Visitor's Guide: A to Z

Sioux Falls has lots to explore; fun stuff for the whole family, food of every kind, educational opportunities, and more! If you have out-of-town guests visiting, you're new to Sioux Falls, or you're thinking about moving here, this is a must-see guide.

Take some great photos to post on social media (and don't forget the hashtag #HiFromSiouxFalls).

Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We call it the 'Sioux Empire.' It's the biggest city in the state with a population of over 206,000. We’re known for our namesake, Falls Park, along the Big Sioux River. Sioux Falls has received numerous accolades for its quality of life. We have been named the number one best place to rent in America. We’ve topped the list of Best States to Find a Job. Sioux Falls is the Best City in America for Young Professionals. We've appeared on lists such as Most Charming Small Cities, Top 10 Place to Raise Kids, and even ranked 10th in the 2020 Top 100 Best Places to Live. We have an abundance of achievements, and you can see them on the Sioux Falls Development Foundation's website.

It's a pretty awesome city and that's why we think you should come and visit. If you're coming for business or pleasure, we've put together a list of places to go and things to see.

We know you want to explore the attractions the city is known for like Falls Park, the Arc of Dreams, and the Sculpture Walk, but there's a lot more to see and do than just the touristy (that's really a word) stuff. The best places to go are where the locals go and we have a not your average, ordinary visitor's guide.

Here's a list of over 100 things to do and places to go in Sioux Falls.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown - KKRC