Moving to or from Brookings?
Home of South Dakota State University (SDSU) — the state's largest university and a Big Sky agricultural and research anchor. A small college town with the South Dakota Art Museum, Dairy Sales Lab (open to public for ice cream), and proximity to Sioux Falls (50 min south).
- 24,000 City population
- 36,000 Metro area
- 1879 Founded
- East-Central South Dakota / Brookings County Region
Why people move to Brookings.
- South Dakota State University — the state's largest university
- SDSU Dairy Sales Lab and ice cream store
- South Dakota Art Museum
- Children's Museum of South Dakota
- McCrory Gardens
- Being along Interstate 29 between Sioux Falls and Fargo
South Dakota State University has a Dairy Sales Lab that's open to the public and sells ice cream made entirely from milk produced by the university's own dairy herd. The Dairy Sales Store is a beloved Brookings tradition — students, alumni, and tourists stop in for unique flavors like Cookies 'n' Cream and Chocolate Mint made on-campus. The university is also known for nationally recognized agricultural and veterinary research programs.
Where people live in Brookings.
A quick guide to Brookings's most moved-to neighborhoods.
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Downtown
Historic core
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Central Brookings
Established residential
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SDSU area
Near campus with mix of student and faculty housing
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North Brookings
Newer residential
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Volga (nearby)
Small town west
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Elkton (nearby)
Small community
Where people spend their time in Brookings.
- South Dakota State University Central Brookings
- Dairy Sales Lab & Store SDSU Campus
- South Dakota Art Museum SDSU Campus
- Children's Museum of South Dakota Central Brookings
- McCrory Gardens SDSU Campus
- Oakwood Lakes State Park (nearby) Bruce
Planning a Brookings move.
- SDSU's academic calendar drives rental market in August and May
- SD has no state income tax
- Winter is severe; plan weather-buffer days November-March
- Sioux Falls commute is about 50 minutes south
Moving in Brookings: FAQ.
Is Brookings a good Sioux Falls alternative?
For college-town character, yes — Brookings offers SDSU's academic atmosphere and cultural amenities at a small-town scale. Housing is more affordable than Sioux Falls metro. The trade-off is a smaller job market outside the university, agricultural research, and a few local industries. Many SDSU alumni stay in Brookings rather than relocating to Sioux Falls.
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