Skip to main content

Aberdeen city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026

3rd Largest3rd most populous city in South Dakota

As of 2026, Aberdeen city, South Dakota has a total population of 28,297, the 3rd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $63,715, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.9%.

Key Takeaways

Aberdeen city Quick Facts

Population 28,297
Median Household Income $63,715
Median Home Value $205,500
Poverty Rate 12.9%
Unemployment Rate 4.2%
Median Age 35.8 years
Homeownership Rate 58.4%
Affordability Ratio 3.2x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 33.6%
High School Graduation Rate 93.1%
Diversity Index 32/100
Population 28,297 3rd of 439
Median Income $63,715 average
Poverty Rate 12.9% 3% higher national
Median Home Value $205,500 top 20%

How Aberdeen city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

4.2% Unemployment Rate State: 3.0% | National: 5.2%
70.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 58.4%
Renter 41.6%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.2x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

32out 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

Aberdeen city Rankings in South Dakota

#3 Population of 439
#146 Median Income of 439
#62 Education of 439
#63 Home Value of 439

Other Cities in Brown County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Groton city 1,794 $82,083 3.9% $173,000
Warner town 494 $114,375 0.4% $231,600
Hecla city 204 N/A 9.3% $47,100
Frederick town 178 $81,071 12.9% $83,100
Columbia city 170 $59,038 1.2% $121,900
Westport town 93 $58,750 0.0% $103,900
Claremont town 90 $56,667 10.0% $74,000
Ravinia town 53 $29,167 20.8% $63,300
Stratford town 50 $73,750 8.0% $69,200
Verdon town 4 N/A 0.0% N/A

Cities Similar to Aberdeen city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Brookings city23,710$61,979$243,60049.7%16.1%
Watertown city22,859$62,721$212,30021.2%10.7%
Yankton city15,501$69,071$202,30030.2%10.9%
Mitchell city15,637$56,374$182,00025.7%14.1%
Pierre city14,008$74,053$219,50034.8%10.3%

Population Overview

Aberdeen city is a mid-sized community located in South Dakota, within Brown County. The total population is 28,297. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Aberdeen city is 35.8 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Aberdeen city is $63,715. This is 12% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.9%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $205,500. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $236,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 58.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 68.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Aberdeen city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.7% vs 1.4%).

Education

33.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Aberdeen city, South Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all South Dakota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Aberdeen city, South Dakota?

Aberdeen city, South Dakota has a population of 28,297 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Aberdeen city, SD?

The median household income in Aberdeen city is $63,715, which is 19% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Aberdeen city, SD?

The poverty rate in Aberdeen city is 12.9%. This means approximately 3,511 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Aberdeen city, South Dakota?

Aberdeen city's population is 81.4% White, 0.3% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.

What is the median home value in Aberdeen city, SD?

The median home value in Aberdeen city is $205,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.

How educated is Aberdeen city, South Dakota?

33.6% of adults (25+) in Aberdeen city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.