De Smet, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, De Smet, Idaho had a total population of 135, the 205th largest community in Idaho. The poverty rate is 71.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (71.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 16.1% is notably above the national average.
De Smet Quick Facts
How De Smet Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 134 | 135 | +0.7% |
| Median home value | $94,200 | $55,700 | -40.9% |
How De Smet Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 36 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
De Smet Rankings in Idaho
Explore Idaho Rankings
Other Cities in Benewah County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Maries | 2,915 | $60,458 | 12.7% | $236,300 |
| Plummer | 1,162 | $54,306 | 15.0% | $197,200 |
| Parkline | 91 | $74,417 | 4.4% | $120,000 |
| Tensed | 71 | $19,688 | 32.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to De Smet
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leadore | 135 | $30,568 | N/A | 12.6% | 25.2% |
| Murtaugh | 129 | $48,750 | $253,800 | 16.2% | 10.4% |
| St. Charles | 145 | N/A | $210,000 | 22.6% | 11.7% |
| Elk River | 124 | $54,904 | $225,000 | 10.8% | 22.6% |
| Conkling Park | 123 | $31,554 | $644,000 | 74.8% | 11.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 135, De Smet's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
De Smet is a small community located in Idaho, within Benewah County. The total population is 135. It ranks as the 205th most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in De Smet is 17.9 years. This is 52% lower than the state median of 37.3 years. With 50.4% of the population under 18, De Smet has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 71.9%. This is 578% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 16.1%. This is 332% higher than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $55,700. Housing costs are 87% lower than the state median of $418,600. 48.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
De Smet is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 78.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (32.6% vs 13.7%).
Education
9.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for De Smet, Idaho is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Idaho state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 232 Census-designated places in Idaho. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of De Smet, Idaho?
De Smet, Idaho has a population of 135 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in De Smet, ID?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for De Smet — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in De Smet, ID?
The poverty rate in De Smet is 71.9%. This means approximately 97 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of De Smet, Idaho?
De Smet's population is 2.2% White, 0.0% Black, 32.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in De Smet, ID?
The median home value in De Smet is $55,700.
How educated is De Smet, Idaho?
9.7% of adults (25+) in De Smet hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.