Mitchell, South Dakota, might best be known for The World's Only Corn Palace – a monumental venue decorated with murals created from grain. The location is more than just a tourist attraction; it highlights the area's strong agricultural roots that still exist today. Home to more than 15,000 people, the seat of farm-filled Davison County may be planted in the past, but its residents are eager to welcome changes, tourists and new traditions. "There is a lot of growth coming, and we're on the trajectory of progress," says Jordan Hanson, the Mayor of Mitchell.
Mitchell's farming history dates back a millennia. Maize and beans were the first crops grown in the area and are still the main exports. "They're building a new $500 million soybean plant here," Hanson says. The plant will be operational by fall of 2025, bringing an additional 85 full-time positions.
Avera Queen of Peace Hospital is among the city's top two employers, behind Trail King Industries, a trailer manufacturing company.
Incoming housing projects for high demand
Homes dating to the 1880s are among Mitchell's less expensive housing options. Many of the city's more expensive homes are along Lake Mitchell and feature newer architectural designs. On average, prices range from $80,000 to $720,000, with a median of $240,000. While still well below the national median of $406,000, Mitchell's median is up 7% from the previous year. New projects to increase housing in the city include multi-family housing developments, apartment complexes and senior living developments.
Dakotafest and The Corn Palace
Each of the 14 hotels along Interstate 90 fills during Dakotafest. "The city triples its population that weekend," Hanson says. More than 40,000 attendees visit the agricultural and farming trade show, which is among the country's largest and has over 500 exhibitors.
The Corn Palace has rotating murals made of grain, a detailed history of the area's agricultural past and is an event venue. "There are also tons of family oriented activities going on almost every week in the city," Hanson says. On the first Friday of the month from May to September, games, music and food vendors are on Main Street outside The Corn Palace.
Millions of dollars toward school renovations
Mitchell School District is rated a B-plus by Niche and is the sixth-best school district in the state. Each of the city's schools has been renovated or remodeled in the past 10 years, and "There is a $60 million new high school in the works," Hanson says. The new high school will include updated spaces for its comprehensive list of afterschool activities, including a new performing arts center.Dakota Wesleyan University is a private four-year Methodist university that offers 40 major and minor disciplines. Mitchell Technical College is also nearby.
Small shops in downtown storefronts
Brick buildings with simple Italianate architecture line downtown Mitchell. The narrow bottom-floor storefronts host coffee shops, restaurants, bakeries, clothing stores and specialty shops.
Chain restaurants, department stores and grocery stores are outside downtown, mainly near the city's southern stretches. Palace City Farmers Market takes place on Wednesday evenings from June through August at Hitchcock Park.
Aquatic fun at Lake Mitchell and Hitchcock Park
Lake Mitchell is nearly half the length of the city and is where residents go for hiking, fishing, swimming and camping.
Small neighborhood parks are between homes on the city's blocks, and a few large parks with sports courts, fields and trails are on the city's outer edges. Hitchcock Park has an aquatic center with a pool, waterslide and a water obstacle course.
Infrastructure improvements
Mitchell is at the intersection of Interstate 90 and South Dakota Highway 30 – about 70 miles from Sioux Falls. One Jefferson Lines bus stops in the city, and the nearest airport is Sioux Falls Regional Airport.
Infrastructure throughout the city is a current focus. A new water source, updated sewers and improvements to downtown are in progress. "We are absolutely set up for expansion," Hanson says.
Important to know
According to NOAA, Mitchell has warm summers and cold winters, with an average of 40 inches of snow yearly. The city is also in Tornado Alley and was hit by an F-3 tornado in 1962. An F-4 tornado hit a small town to the east of the city in 1998, causing six deaths and $18 million in damages.
Violent and property crimes decreased in the most recent FBI report, which is on trend with the state's trajectory. From 2022 to 2023, both crime types were down about 15%.
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