Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Guide

Introduction

Pettigrew Heights sits just west of downtown Sioux Falls and is one of the city’s historically significant core neighborhoods, spanning roughly 60 blocks and home to about 3,900 residents. It’s known for a genuinely old housing stock — many homes were built no later than 1939, and some considerably earlier — and for being home to the Pettigrew Home & Museum, one of Sioux Falls’s notable historic landmarks.

As a Sioux Falls REALTOR®, I point buyers toward Pettigrew Heights when they want genuine early-1900s character — American Foursquares, bungalows, cottages, and the occasional Queen Anne — at a more accessible price point than nearby Hayes Historic District.

Who Should Live in Pettigrew Heights

Pettigrew Heights fits buyers who want historic character and a walkable, close-to-downtown location without paying the premium of a fully protected historic district. It also suits buyers drawn to the neighborhood’s diversity and its landmark, the Pettigrew Home & Museum.

Who Probably Shouldn’t

Buyers who want new construction, a uniform subdivision, or a large lot should look at other areas. Given the older housing stock, buyers who aren’t prepared for some renovation work should budget carefully and inspect thoroughly.

Overall Vibe and History

Pettigrew Heights takes its name from Richard F. Pettigrew, South Dakota’s first U.S. Senator, whose former home is now the Pettigrew Home & Museum. While a handful of properties in the neighborhood are individually registered historic sites, the neighborhood as a whole hasn’t been designated a formal historic district, which keeps regulation lighter than in Hayes or Cathedral. The result is a neighborhood with real early-20th-century charm and shaded porches, but more flexibility for owners to update and renovate.

Location

Pettigrew Heights is located just west of downtown Sioux Falls.

Destination	Typical Drive Time
Downtown Sioux Falls	About 5 minutes
Sanford USD Medical Center	About 8-10 minutes
Avera McKennan Hospital	About 8-10 minutes
Empire Mall	About 12-15 minutes
Sioux Falls Regional Airport	About 10 minutes
Interstate 29	About 5-8 minutes

Treat these as typical, non-rush-hour estimates — I always encourage buyers to drive their real commute before deciding.

Housing

Homes in Pettigrew Heights are predominantly early 20th-century styles — American Foursquares, bungalows, cottages, and occasional Queen Anne homes — many built before 1939 and some dating to the late 1800s.

Housing Type	Typical Price Range	Notes
Early 1900s bungalows/Foursquares/cottages	Roughly $120K-$260K	More affordable than Hayes Historic District; condition varies

New construction and condos are essentially not part of this neighborhood’s character; this is a single-family, historic housing stock. Formal HOAs are uncommon.

What Buyers Should Know Before Purchasing in Pettigrew Heights

Because the neighborhood isn’t a formally regulated historic district, owners generally have more flexibility to renovate than in Hayes or Cathedral — which can be a plus for buyers planning updates, but I still recommend a thorough inspection given the age of the housing stock, and a check on whether any specific property carries individual historic-register status before planning exterior changes.

Schools

Pettigrew Heights is served by the Sioux Falls School District, which includes R.F. Pettigrew Elementary as well as other nearby SFSD schools. As always, I verify the current attendance-boundary assignment for a specific address before a client relies on it.

Parks & Recreation

The neighborhood’s standout landmark is the Pettigrew Home & Museum, the former residence of South Dakota’s first U.S. Senator, Richard F. Pettigrew, now open to the public. Downtown’s larger park network, including Falls Park, is a short drive or bike ride away.

Restaurants

Pettigrew Heights sits close enough to downtown that residents have easy access to Phillips Avenue’s restaurant scene, along with a mix of local spots closer to the neighborhood itself.

Shopping

Everyday shopping is a short drive away, with larger retail centers like the Empire Mall and 41st Street corridor roughly 12-15 minutes out.

Safety

I won’t cite crime statistics without a current, verified source. Pettigrew Heights is a genuinely diverse, established neighborhood; as with any close-in urban neighborhood, I’d encourage buyers to walk the specific block at different times of day and review sourced local data if safety is a top priority.

Commute

Destination	Typical Commute
Downtown Sioux Falls	About 5 minutes
Medical District (Sanford/Avera)	About 8-10 minutes
Tea, SD	About 20-25 minutes
Harrisburg, SD	About 20-25 minutes
Brandon, SD	About 20-25 minutes
Hartford, SD	About 20-25 minutes
Airport	About 10 minutes

Lifestyle

Pettigrew Heights suits buyers who want an urban, walkable lifestyle close to downtown, with genuine historic character and access to one of the city’s notable cultural landmarks right in the neighborhood. It’s a good fit for buyers who value character and diversity over a brand-new subdivision feel.

Local Expert Section

I’m Tyce Ortman, a Sioux Falls REALTOR® with the Jeff Merrill Team at eXp Realty. I often point value-conscious buyers who love historic character toward Pettigrew Heights specifically because it delivers a lot of the same early-1900s charm as Hayes Historic District, at a more accessible price point, since it isn’t a formally regulated historic district.

My experience here has taught me to always budget for updates when a buyer falls in love with an older Pettigrew Heights home — even move-in-ready homes in this neighborhood often have original systems worth having inspected closely. On resale, well-maintained homes near the Pettigrew Home & Museum and closer to downtown have tended to hold buyer interest well. On school boundaries, I verify the current SFSD assignment for the specific address rather than assuming based on the neighborhood name.

Future Growth

Pettigrew Heights is an established, built-out neighborhood close to downtown. I don’t have a specific, verified list of planned development projects to share with confidence, and I’d encourage buyers to confirm current status directly with the City of Sioux Falls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pettigrew Heights a historic district?

Not formally as a whole; a few individual properties are registered historic sites, but the neighborhood itself isn’t a designated historic district like Hayes or Cathedral.

How much do homes cost in Pettigrew Heights?

Roughly $120K-$260K depending on size, condition, and updates.

Is Pettigrew Heights close to downtown?

Yes, about a 5-minute drive.

What is the Pettigrew Home & Museum?

It’s the former residence of Richard F. Pettigrew, South Dakota’s first U.S. Senator, now a public museum located in the neighborhood.

How old are homes in Pettigrew Heights?

Many were built before 1939, with some dating to the late 1800s.

Is Pettigrew Heights more affordable than Hayes Historic District?

Generally, yes, while still offering a similar collection of historic-style homes.

What architectural styles are common in Pettigrew Heights?

American Foursquares, bungalows, cottages, and the occasional Queen Anne.

Are there HOA fees in Pettigrew Heights?

Generally no; this is an established, non-planned neighborhood.

Is Pettigrew Heights walkable?

Yes, particularly toward downtown; specific block-to-block walkability varies.

Is Pettigrew Heights good for families?

It can be, particularly for families who value historic character and an urban, close-to-downtown location.

Are there condos or townhomes in Pettigrew Heights?

Very limited; this is predominantly a single-family historic neighborhood.

Are there new construction homes in Pettigrew Heights?

No, this is a built-out, historic neighborhood.

Do I need a special inspection for a Pettigrew Heights home?

A thorough inspection is strongly recommended given the age of the housing stock, regardless of how updated a home appears.

What school district serves Pettigrew Heights?

The Sioux Falls School District; exact school assignment should be verified for the specific address.

Is Pettigrew Heights a good investment?

Its combination of historic character and relative affordability has supported steady demand, though every investment decision should be run through current numbers.

Is Pettigrew Heights close to Sanford or Avera?

Yes, both are roughly an 8-10 minute drive.

How diverse is Pettigrew Heights?

It’s known as one of the more diverse neighborhoods in the core of Sioux Falls.

Can I renovate a home in Pettigrew Heights easily?

Generally yes, since it isn’t a formally regulated historic district as a whole, though any individually registered historic property may have its own considerations.

What’s the biggest trade-off of living in Pettigrew Heights?

Older homes require more maintenance and updating, but that comes with genuine character and a more accessible price point than nearby historic districts.

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Thinking About Buying in Pettigrew Heights?

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Pettigrew Heights, I’d be happy to give you honest advice, show you available homes, or help you compare it with other Sioux Falls neighborhoods. Call or text Tyce Ortman at 605-413-7903 or email tyceortman@gmail.com.

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