Section Image

Downtown Sioux Falls

Downtown Sioux Falls

$381,096 Average Value

A small town in the middle of a big city

In Downtown Sioux Falls, an 1800s factory converted into an event space and museum lets kids and adults take low-cost art classes. A block over, a live music venue hosts 50 free concerts each summer. This downtown pocket reflects the city's spirit: community-oriented, committed to accessibility and flowing with creativity. The preservation of its historic architecture maintains the neighborhood's charm — factories turned into apartments, new businesses in old buildings, streets filled with bricks and brownstones. The Big Sioux River flows through the neighborhood, making it a short walk away for most. "I feel like we live in a small town in the middle of a big city," says resident Joe Kirby. "We see people we know every time we walk the dogs around the block. Downtown Sioux Falls is a fun and exciting place to be — if you want to live near the activity, downtown is the place to be."
Downtown Sioux Falls is located next to the Big Sioux River.
Downtown Sioux Falls is located next to the Big Sioux River.
Downtown Sioux Falls locals enjoy breakfast at Josiah’s Coffeehouse & Café.
Downtown Sioux Falls locals enjoy breakfast at Josiah’s Coffeehouse & Café.
1/2

Diners, cafes and happy hour drinks

At the Phillips Avenue Diner, patrons can sit at the chrome barstools lining the retro countertop. This old-school diner started in an Airstream trailer and later set up a brick-and-mortar where they serve up treats like milkshakes and waffles to customers in red vinyl booths. Some start their mornings at Josiah's Coffeehouse & Café, which serves espresso and pastries in a rustic interior where residents can linger and catch up with friends or pop open their laptops to get work done. Evenings kick off at MacKenzie River with $5 happy hour pints and plates full of pizza. Later, locals might catch a play at the Washington Pavilion or head to a free concert at Levitt at the Falls during the summer months. A collection of local businesses at the 8th & Railroad Center – including a furniture store, cookware shop and vintage resale market – makes running errands easy, and most pick up groceries from the neighborhood's Sunshine Foods.
Downtown Sioux Falls locals enjoy lunch at Mama's Ladas.
Downtown Sioux Falls locals enjoy lunch at Mama's Ladas.
The Source Coffee Roastery is great place to start the morning in Downtown Sioux Falls.
The Source Coffee Roastery is great place to start the morning in Downtown Sioux Falls.
1/2

Walking to get around

Downtown Sioux Falls boasts a Walk Score of 77, categorizing it as a very walkable neighborhood. "My wife and I walk our dogs downtown several times a day," says Kirby. "We venture out of the neighborhood on occasion, but most of the time we're downtown. I have a car, but it doesn't get many miles on it anymore." Sioux Falls public transit system, the Sioux Area Metro, or SAM, also provides bus routes throughout the Downtown area. Sanford USD Medical Center and Hospital is less than 2 miles from the neighborhood, and the Sioux Falls Regional Airport is about 3 miles away.
Falls Park is Downtown Sioux Falls most popular park.
Falls Park is Downtown Sioux Falls most popular park.
Downtown Sioux Falls has an abundance of shopping options.
Downtown Sioux Falls has an abundance of shopping options.
1/2

Riverside parks and gyms

Downtown is packed with indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities, like Fawick Park, a riverside green space known for its replica of Michelangelo's statue of David. The park also hosts free seasonal outdoor movies in the summer months and come September the annual Sioux Falls's GermanFest. On the neighborhood's north end, Falls Park is a sprawling outdoor space along the river with trail access, picnic pavilions and an observation tower. On Saturdays from May to October, it hosts the Falls Park Farmers Market, which has live music and has supplied the community with fresh produce since 1912. For those looking to join a gym, they can sign-up for memberships at the 24/7 Fitness Club or the Sioux Falls Family YMCA.
Fawick Park is located next to the Big Sioux River.
Fawick Park is located next to the Big Sioux River.
Levitt at the Falls hosts free live music in Downtown Sioux Falls.
Levitt at the Falls hosts free live music in Downtown Sioux Falls.
1/2

Live music and low-cost art classes

"Weekends downtown are fun, especially during the summer when there are 50 free concerts at the Levitt Pavilion," Kirby says. At Levitt at the Falls's summer concert series, locals set up lawn chairs, parents dance with their kids and food and drink are enjoyed from a variety of vendors. For more live music, residents can attend the monthly Eastbank Block Party at the 8th & Railroad Center or lunchtime concerts every Tuesday at Cherapa Place Interconnect. Throughout the year, locals catch concerts, plays and other performances at the Washington Pavilion. Parents can sign their children up for low-cost art classes at the Museum of Visual Materials, which offers daytime programming for adults with disabilities and occasional evening workshops for adults. "Our mission is to keep the prices low so that kids can afford to take the classes," says Executive Director Deanna Parker. "There are other organizations that offer kids' art classes, but generally, our prices are a lot cheaper."
Take an art class at the Museum of Visual Materials Downtown Sioux Falls.
Take an art class at the Museum of Visual Materials Downtown Sioux Falls.
Scottish band Skerryvore delights the crowd at a Levitt at the Falls summer concert.
Scottish band Skerryvore delights the crowd at a Levitt at the Falls summer concert.
1/2

Factory apartments and luxury lofts

While Downtown is primarily a business district with relatively limited residential real estate, housing options do exist. The area is home to a charming mix of architecture, ranging from old brick factories turned apartment complexes to brownstone businesses to cozy historic bungalows. Unlike other downtown areas, the neighborhood is mostly free of high rises, so plenty of clear blue sky spans the backdrop of this neighborhood. Here prospective buyers can choose from early 20th-century bungalows and low-rise condos. Buyers looking to own a detached single-family home should expect to spend $150,000 to $250,000, while newer lofts and condos start around $400,000 and can go for as much as $700,000, depending on the size and location of the unit. For those with scenic views of the Big Sioux River, expect to pay more.
Downtown Sioux Falls has many condos to choose from.
Downtown Sioux Falls has many condos to choose from.
Downtown Sioux Falls has lots of greenery and local art.
Downtown Sioux Falls has lots of greenery and local art.
1/2

Sioux Falls's highly rated public schools

Students in Downtown Sioux Falls attend Anthony Elementary School and Patrick Henry Middle School, both of which receive B ratings on Niche, before continuing to the A-minus-rated Lincoln High School, which ranks as South Dakota's second-best high school for STEM per Niche. Lincoln High School is also known for its Marine Corps JROTC program and its award-winning marching band.
Lincoln High School serves students in grades 9-12.
Lincoln High School serves students in grades 9-12.
Susan B. Anthony Elementary School serves students in grades PK, K-5.
Susan B. Anthony Elementary School serves students in grades PK, K-5.
1/2
Ellen Daly
Written By
Ellen Daly
Seth Johanson
Photography Contributed By
Seth Johanson
Matt Pangman
Video By
Matt Pangman

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Chere Rosa de Sharon, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Joe Foss Field

20 min drive

Bus

Weber & 6th SW Corner

Bus

8th & Dakota NW Corner

Bus

8th & Main SW Corner

Bus

Tower Of David Apts

Bus

Minnesota & 13th SE Corner

Bus

14th & 6th Ave NE Corner

Bus

13th & 3rd Ave NE Corner

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Sioux Falls US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
155
Median Year Built
1943
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,115
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,850
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,552
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
852
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Chere Rosa de Sharon, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
3,302
Median Age
39
Population Density
36 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.6%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$51,450
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$78,697

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.8%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
36.4%
Advanced Degrees
11.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.6%
On par with the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
28''
Average Winter Low Temperature
9°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
45''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

81 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

67 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

33 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Downtown Sioux Falls neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Sioux Falls