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South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, South Dakota has a total population of 899,194, with a median household income of $72,421, which is 8% lower the national average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.

South Dakota Quick Facts

Population 899,194
Median Household Income $72,421
Median Home Value $236,800
Poverty Rate 12.0%
Unemployment Rate 3.0%
Median Age 37.7 years
Homeownership Rate 68.6%
Affordability Ratio 3.3x
Bachelor's Degree+ 31.1%
High School Graduation 93.0%
Counties 66
Cities/Places 439
Population 899,194
Median Income $72,421 8% lower national
Poverty Rate 12.0%
Unemployment 3.0%

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.0% Unemployment Rate State: 3.0% | National: 5.2%
67.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 68.6%
Renter 31.4%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.3x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

33out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 33 | National average: 60

Education

Largest Cities in South Dakota

#CityPopulationMedian IncomePoverty
1Sioux Falls city197,642$74,7149.6%
2Rapid City city76,836$65,71213.3%
3Aberdeen city28,297$63,71512.9%
4Brookings city23,710$61,97916.1%
5Watertown city22,859$62,72110.7%
6Mitchell city15,637$56,37414.1%
7Yankton city15,501$69,07110.9%
8Huron city14,347$51,55616.4%
9Pierre city14,008$74,05310.3%
10Spearfish city12,551$59,73115.2%

Richest Cities in South Dakota

#CityMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+
1Dakota Dunes CDP$123,438$495,00060.8%
2Summerset city$115,197$337,90041.0%
3Baltic city$105,132$240,20025.0%
4Brandon city$104,806$317,30040.6%
5Tea city$104,643$305,30041.4%
6Crooks city$104,479$270,50031.4%
7Harrisburg city$101,534$281,40040.5%
8Dell Rapids city$101,250$284,40036.2%
9Hartford city$95,426$223,40030.9%
10Worthing city$91,250$214,00021.3%

Most Affordable Cities in South Dakota

By home-value-to-income ratio (lower = more affordable). Min. population 1,000.

#CityRatioHome ValueIncome
1Pine Ridge CDP0.9x$45,000$50,954
2Eagle Butte city1.0x$51,500$53,558
3Oglala CDP1.0x$42,200$43,274
4North Eagle Butte CDP1.0x$37,500$38,125
5Rosebud CDP1.0x$57,000$55,066
6Britton city1.6x$110,100$70,156
7Mission city1.7x$56,900$34,000
8Martin city1.8x$87,300$49,609
9Tyndall city1.8x$94,200$51,719
10Lemmon city1.9x$79,700$42,461

Explore South Dakota Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

All Counties in South Dakota (66)

66 results
City ↕Population ↓Median Income ↕Poverty ↕Home Value ↕
Minnehaha County200,689$76,0748.8%$266,600
Pennington County112,081$70,76812.0%$270,400
Lincoln County68,286$96,5525.8%$323,500
Brown County38,079$70,23910.6%$212,900
Brookings County34,968$67,34112.8%$246,300
Meade County30,297$74,1617.6%$274,800
Codington County28,556$65,08010.2%$218,000
Lawrence County26,574$66,76611.8%$310,800
Yankton County23,379$73,8559.4%$208,200
Davison County19,936$61,40112.4%$190,000
Beadle County19,279$63,08213.8%$178,400
Hughes County17,732$78,9819.2%$221,100
Union County16,916$84,1377.3%$269,500
Clay County15,133$58,79419.8%$221,800
Oglala Lakota County13,587$34,76952.8%$45,600
Lake County11,052$73,7929.4%$231,000
Butte County10,538$67,6927.2%$207,700
Roberts County10,219$63,69117.3%$139,100
Todd County9,293$39,14849.0%$45,200
Charles Mix County9,281$64,85022.8%$169,200
Turner County8,772$75,2838.5%$199,000
Custer County8,686$81,9586.6%$327,200
Grant County7,544$73,81811.2%$179,400
Hutchinson County7,393$74,45910.0%$160,500
Fall River County7,179$61,05619.7%$176,300
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All Cities & Places in South Dakota (439)

439 results
City ↕Population ↓Median Income ↕Poverty ↕Home Value ↕
Sioux Falls city197,642$74,7149.6%$271,400
Rapid City city76,836$65,71213.3%$270,000
Aberdeen city28,297$63,71512.9%$205,500
Brookings city23,710$61,97916.1%$243,600
Watertown city22,859$62,72110.7%$212,300
Mitchell city15,637$56,37414.1%$182,000
Yankton city15,501$69,07110.9%$202,300
Huron city14,347$51,55616.4%$164,700
Pierre city14,008$74,05310.3%$219,500
Spearfish city12,551$59,73115.2%$309,200
Box Elder city12,457$73,6987.4%$271,800
Vermillion city11,800$52,81525.1%$210,200
Brandon city10,996$104,8062.6%$317,300
Harrisburg city7,790$101,5341.5%$281,400
Rapid Valley CDP7,153$85,2176.9%$226,300
Sturgis city7,111$51,1019.0%$236,400
Tea city6,339$104,6434.4%$305,300
Madison city6,158$62,18011.2%$191,400
Belle Fourche city5,741$59,9207.1%$188,800
Dakota Dunes CDP4,129$123,4384.8%$495,000
Dell Rapids city3,947$101,2506.2%$284,400
Milbank city3,513$58,46213.6%$161,300
Hot Springs city3,506$49,68827.9%$168,200
Hartford city3,412$95,4266.1%$223,400
Canton city3,060$65,5006.6%$191,000
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Download South Dakota Data

Free CSV downloads of South Dakota demographic data — no account or payment required.

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Cities Data (CSV) All cities: population, income, housing, race, education
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Counties Data (CSV) All counties: population, income, housing, race, education

Population Overview

South Dakota has a total population of 899,194, making it a smaller state in the nation. The median age is 37.7 years, 3% lower the national median of 38.7 years.

Age Demographics

The median age in South Dakota is 37.7 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in South Dakota is $72,421. This is 8% lower than the state median of $78,538. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 8% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.4%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 5.2%. The median home value is $236,800. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $303,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 68.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 65.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in South Dakota is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.6%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 12.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 19.0%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 35.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.0%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of South Dakota?

South Dakota has a total population of 899,194 according to the U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median income in South Dakota?

The median household income in South Dakota is $72,421, which is 8% lower the national median of $78,538.

How many cities are in South Dakota?

South Dakota has 439 Census-designated places (cities, towns, and CDPs) and 66 counties.

What is the poverty rate in South Dakota?

The poverty rate in South Dakota is 12.0%, compared to the national average of 12.4%.

What is the largest city in South Dakota?

The largest city in South Dakota is Sioux Falls city with a population of 197,642.