Neighborhood Guide
Living in Crooks, SD: A Local Guide
Crooks is a small, close-knit town just north of Sioux Falls, with brand-new schools and a quick drive into the city. Here is what living there looks like.
The basics
Crooks is in Minnehaha County, about 9 to 10 miles north of Sioux Falls in ZIP code 57020. The 2020 census counted 1,362 residents, up from 1,269 in 2010 and 859 in 2000. The town was called New Hope until 1904 and covers less than one square mile, so it keeps a quiet, walkable small-town scale.
Schools
Crooks is served by the Tri-Valley School District 49-6, which covers about 148 square miles and also serves Colton. The state counted 932 students in fall 2023. Tri-Valley opened a new elementary school in Crooks in fall 2023, and a new 130,000-square-foot high school opened in January 2025 with a performing arts space, a competition gym and career and technical classrooms. The district says the new buildings are designed to handle its expected growth for about the next decade. Confirm the assigned school for any address before you buy.
Commute
Crooks sits a short drive west of I-29, so north Sioux Falls, the airport area and the industrial parks along the north side are close. Downtown Sioux Falls is usually about 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. Many everyday errands happen in north Sioux Falls, which is only a few minutes away.
Home styles
Crooks is mostly single-family homes. You will find older ranches and split-levels in the original part of town and newer single-family homes on the edges, many with finished lower levels and attached garages. Lots tend to feel roomier than in the city, and the market is small, so good homes can move fast. I help buyers spot the right fit and act quickly with an engineer's eye on condition.
Parks and lifestyle
Crooks offers small-town parks and community spaces.
- Heritage Pond Park and Sunset Park: city parks the council has been planning trail and restroom improvements for.
- City ball fields: used by Tri-Valley for softball under a 2025 agreement with the city.
- Crooks Branch Library: part of Siouxland Libraries, right in town.
- Pool access: Colton launched a summer pool shuttle to Crooks in 2023.
Who Crooks fits
Crooks suits buyers who want a quiet small town, new schools and a quick drive to north Sioux Falls and I-29.
Crooks FAQ
What school district is Crooks, SD in?
Crooks is in the Tri-Valley School District 49-6, which opened a new elementary school in Crooks in 2023 and a new high school in 2025.
How big is Crooks, SD?
The 2020 census counted 1,362 residents, up from 859 in 2000.
How far is Crooks from Sioux Falls?
About 9 to 10 miles north, a short drive to I-29 and north Sioux Falls. Downtown is usually 20 to 25 minutes away.
What parks does Crooks have?
Heritage Pond Park, Sunset Park and city ball fields, plus the Crooks Branch Library and a summer pool shuttle to Colton.
Photo: BrianHagan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons