If you’ve been scrolling through local headlines lately, you might feel like you’re seeing a lot of "in memoriam" posts. It’s heavy stuff. Honestly, when we talk about deaths in Sioux Falls SD, it’s easy to get lost in the tragic individual stories or, on the flip side, the cold, hard spreadsheets from the South Dakota Department of Health. But if we peel back the layers, there’s a specific picture of what’s actually happening in our community right now in early 2026.
It isn't just a single trend. It's a mix of a growing, aging population and some specific health hurdles that are unique to the 605.
The Big Three: What’s Taking the Most Lives?
For a long time, heart disease and cancer have played a sort of grim "musical chairs" for the top spot. According to the most recent provisional data from the state, heart disease is currently leading. Just in the first few weeks of 2026, we’ve already seen the toll this takes.
- Heart Disease: It’s the heavyweight. It accounts for nearly 20% of all resident deaths in the area.
- Cancer: Particularly lung cancer, which remains a massive burden in Minnehaha County. Interestingly, South Dakota actually ranks pretty high—10th in the nation—for early diagnosis, but the surgery rates for those cases are still lagging behind the national average.
- Accidents/Unintentional Injuries: This is where things get messy and complicated.
Accidents aren't just "car crashes." In fact, for our older neighbors in Sioux Falls, accidental falls are a huge contributor to the mortality rate. For the younger crowd—the 10 to 29 age group—the data is much more sobering. Suicide and motor vehicle accidents are the primary drivers there. It’s a stark contrast. You’ve got one generation struggling with chronic illness and another struggling with mental health and sudden trauma.
The 2025-2026 Flu Season Hit Hard
We just got word from Dr. Joshua Clayton, the State Epidemiologist, about the first two influenza deaths of the current season. Both were right here in Minnehaha County. Both were over the age of 64.
It’s a reminder that even "routine" things can be fatal for certain parts of our population. The Department of Health is tracking over 2,800 lab-confirmed cases statewide already this year. While 40 deaths a year from flu is the average, starting the year with two local losses puts everyone on edge. It’s not just "a bad cold" when you’re looking at the actual stats.
Why the Numbers Look "High" Right Now
Sioux Falls is exploding. We all see the construction. The more people move here, the more deaths we will naturally record. It’s simple math, but it feels different when you’re looking at the obituaries in the Argus Leader or on funeral home sites like Heartland or Miller.
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Dr. Kenneth S. Snell was just re-appointed as the Minnehaha County Coroner for 2026. His office handles the "unattended" deaths—the ones that happen suddenly or without a doctor present. When a 28-year-old like Brentyn Koepp passes away suddenly in mid-January, it sends ripples through the city. These aren't just numbers; they’re parents and kids who were golfing or hunting just a week before.
A Breakdown by Age Group
The leading causes change wildly depending on how many candles were on the last birthday cake:
- Ages 1-9: Motor vehicle accidents.
- Ages 10-29: Suicide is the leading cause. This is a massive public health focus for the city right now.
- Ages 30-49: Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. This often links back to long-term alcohol use, which has been a growing concern in the Sioux Falls MSA.
- Ages 50-79: Cancer.
- Ages 80+: Heart disease.
The Alcohol and Liver Disease Connection
Kinda surprisingly, chronic liver disease has climbed the ranks over the last decade. It used to be the 13th leading cause of death in the state; now it’s sitting around 7th or 8th. In Sioux Falls specifically, the 2025 Community Health Assessment noted that about 34% of driving deaths in the metro area involved alcohol. That’s a massive chunk. It tells us that our "lifestyle" deaths—the ones tied to what we consume—are shifting the needle more than they used to.
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What Can We Actually Do With This Info?
It’s easy to feel helpless reading about deaths in Sioux Falls SD. But the data actually points toward some very specific "levers" we can pull to stay on the right side of the statistics.
Get the Screening: Since we know Sioux Falls is great at early lung cancer detection but "meh" at follow-up treatment, being aggressive with your doctor after a diagnosis is key. Don't wait.
Watch the "Hidden" Risks: If you have elderly parents living in those charming (but often steep-staired) historic homes near McKennan Park, fall prevention isn't a joke. It’s a top-five killer for their age group. Grab the handrails.
Mental Health Check-ins: Since suicide is the #1 cause for the 10-29 demographic in our region, using local resources like the Avera Behavioral Health Center or the 988 lifeline isn't just "good advice"—it's life-saving intervention for the most at-risk group in the city.
Vaccination and Hygiene: With the flu already claiming lives in Minnehaha County this January, the basics still matter. Wash your hands, stay home if you're hacking, and maybe consider that shot if you’re in a high-risk group.
Ultimately, the mortality rate in Sioux Falls reflects a city in transition. We’re dealing with the "big city" problems of stress and substance use, alongside the "aging state" problems of heart health and cancer. Staying informed about these trends is basically the first step in making sure you and your family aren't just another data point in next year's report.
Actionable Next Steps for Sioux Falls Residents:
- Schedule a Heart Health Check: Given heart disease is the #1 killer locally, getting a calcium score test or a basic BP check at Sanford or Avera is the most logical first step.
- Audit Your Home for Fall Risks: If you or a loved one are over 65, install grab bars and remove trip hazards like loose rugs.
- Check in on Younger Family: Open conversations about mental health can disrupt the leading cause of death for those under 30.
- Stay Updated on Flu Activity: Follow the South Dakota Department of Health's weekly respiratory reports to know when local transmission is peaking.