Signals
Brookings
McPherson
Growth
64 · Top 28%
vs64 · Top 28%
Climate
51 · Bottom 4%
vs61 · Bottom 30%
Physical resilience
70 · Top 28%
vs75 · Top 21%
Housing affordability
91 · Bottom 41%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
62 · Bottom 24%
vs67 · Bottom 33%
Economic stability
72 · Top 23%
vs85 · Top 9%
Measured values
| Metric | Brookings | McPherson | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,353 | 30,205 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $70,064 | $78,851 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $35,295 | $37,426 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 45/sq mi | 34/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $264,600 | $211,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $901 | $916 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 57.2% | 75.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42.5% | 34.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.2% | 9.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 225 | 126 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.4 | 4.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -35.3% | 29.9% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 81°F | 93°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 4°F | 20°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 28.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 55 mi | 53 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 15.6 min | 16.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 28.0 | 39.4 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Brookings
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, strong wind.
McPherson
Elevated or high exposure: hail, heat wave.
Full profiles: Brookings, SD Micro Area · McPherson, KS Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology