Aberdeen, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Aberdeen, South Dakota had a total population of 28,189, the 3rd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $64,405, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Aberdeen is the 3rd largest city in South Dakota with a population of 28,189.
Aberdeen Quick Facts
How Aberdeen 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 | 28,297 | 28,189 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $63,715 | $64,405 | +1.1% |
| Median home value | $205,500 | $217,300 | +5.7% |
How Aberdeen 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Aberdeen Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Brown County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groton | 1,691 | $89,861 | 4.3% | $190,600 |
| Warner | 512 | $113,750 | 0.4% | $268,100 |
| Prairiewood Village | 474 | $160,625 | 0.0% | $476,700 |
| Hecla | 182 | N/A | 2.8% | $47,100 |
| Columbia | 161 | $58,295 | 4.3% | $96,500 |
| Frederick | 160 | $76,667 | 11.3% | $85,000 |
| Claremont | 106 | $46,250 | 9.4% | N/A |
| Westport | 93 | $58,942 | 0.0% | $101,700 |
| Bath | 91 | $33,750 | 48.4% | N/A |
| Bath Corner | 72 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Aberdeen
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings | 23,948 | $63,493 | $265,500 | 47.5% | 16.9% |
| Watertown | 23,044 | $69,600 | $229,400 | 21.6% | 9.0% |
| Yankton | 15,540 | $67,804 | $222,700 | 33.2% | 14.1% |
| Mitchell | 15,649 | $58,620 | $192,200 | 23.6% | 12.5% |
| Huron | 14,385 | $61,452 | $159,000 | 27.0% | 16.1% |
Population Overview
Aberdeen is a mid-sized community located in South Dakota, within Brown County. The total population is 28,189. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Aberdeen is 36.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Aberdeen is $64,405. This is 14% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $217,300. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 61.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Aberdeen is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.4% vs 1.4%).
Education
35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Aberdeen, South Dakota 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 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. 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 Aberdeen, South Dakota?
Aberdeen, South Dakota has a population of 28,189 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Aberdeen, SD?
The median household income in Aberdeen is $64,405, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Aberdeen, SD?
The poverty rate in Aberdeen is 13.8%. This means approximately 3,763 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Aberdeen, South Dakota?
Aberdeen's population is 81.5% White, 1.8% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Aberdeen, SD?
The median home value in Aberdeen is $217,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Aberdeen, South Dakota?
35.0% of adults (25+) in Aberdeen hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.