South Dakota college town is a walkable entertainment hub for all ages
Vermillion is a vibrant college town with strong public transportation and many shops, restaurants, and museums that are walkable or bikeable from homes. It affords an outdoor lifestyle with a popular golf course, annual events, and college football. With an enrollment of nearly 10,000 students, the University of South Dakota accounts for a large student population in the city. However, Michelle Maloney, broker and owner of Maloney Real Estate with 16 years of experience selling in the area, says that has changed during the past 10 years. Sanford Health and Polaris Industries employ students after graduation and draw new residents to the area. "We also get a lot of retirees; people who went to college here in the '60s, '70s and '80s who are now in retirement and want to be near all of the events of a college town but don't want to live in a big city," Maloney says.
Golfing in the Miami of South Dakota
Vermillion celebrates its southern location in the state, which lets residents head outside earlier in the year, dubbing itself the Miami of South Dakota. "Even when it's five degrees warmer than on the other side of the state, that's the difference between playing golf and not playing," Maloney says. The Bluffs, the city's upscale 18-hole course accommodates, opening sooner than most. It also has walking trails open to the public from June through September. The city maintains around 90 acres of parkland, including sports fields and courts, playgrounds and disc golf courses. Prentis Park has a newly renovated pool and water slide.
Arts and culture are available at The National Music Museum on the USD campus. In addition to an extensive collection of instruments, the museum hosts live music series and events. "You can spend a Friday afternoon listening to someone play a Stradivarius violin that hasn't been played in who knows how long," Maloney says.
Varied homes for different lifestyles
Vermillion's home styles reflect varied lifestyles and needs. Apartments and tree-lined neighborhoods, where many professors and students live, surround the USD campus and the Prentis Park area in the town center. Historic Forest Avenue features a variety of late-19th- and early-20th-century styles. Midcentury homes are along the perimeter of the fairways of The Bluffs. Development continues on the western outskirts of town: Bliss Pointe offers new construction opportunities, and the up-and-coming Jack Powell Addition will have multi-family and single-family options. The median home price here is around $275,000, significantly lower than the national average.
Tanagers and Coyotes games at the DakotaDome
The Vermillion School District earns an overall C-plus grade from Niche. It has two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Vermillion Elementary School opened in 2024, with common spaces for classes to collaborate on science, music, and other activities. USD is South Dakota's oldest and only public liberal arts university. The 274-acre campus is centrally located in town. In addition to being the home of USD Coyotes, the DakotaDome hosts the state's high school football championship.
Local businesses on the updated Main Street
Much of Vermillion's shopping and dining are locally focused. The newly-renovated Main Street offers a fresh look at its small businesses, entertainment and events. "There are not a lot of chains — it's almost all independent, which we love," Maloney says. The Bean Community Coffee House is a meeting space for students, and there are casual dive bars, sports bars, pubs and restaurants. Walmart Supercenter and HyVee Grocery Store are in town, and USD students can catch a ride there using the Coyote Assistance service.
Live music during Thursdays on the Platz
Vermillion celebrates music, theater, culture and holidays throughout the year. The South Dakota Shakespeare Festival performs for free at Prentis Park. Each summer downtown, the Thursdays on the Platz music series spotlights local artists, restaurants and breweries. USD's Wacipi honors the Native American powwow tradition with dance and song. Each winter, Vermillion's Standstill Parade of Lights inverts the typical parade tradition: event-goers stroll down the street viewing stationary, illuminated parade floats.
Bus routes to Sioux Falls and Sioux City
Much of Vermillion is walkable and bikeable, as residents can accomplish most errands on foot, according to Walk Score. USD transportation options for students include a bike share program and rides to the grocery store. Local, on-demand rides are available through Southeast Public Transit offers, and Jefferson Lines' fixed bus routes run to Sioux Falls, Sioux City and outlying cities. Interstate 29 is accessible about 8 miles east. About 45 miles southeast, Sioux Gateway Airport has daily flights to Chicago and Denver. Specialty care, including emergency care, is available at Sanford Vermillion Medical Center.
Steady and low crime rates in Vermillion
Crime rates have been steady since 2016, according to the Vermillion Police Department's 2023 annual report. The department reported two homicides between 2016 and 2023. According to FBI data, property and violent crime rates trend below state and national averages.
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