Alcester, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alcester, South Dakota had a total population of 989, the 77th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $57,000, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.2%.
Alcester Quick Facts
How Alcester 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 | 987 | 989 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $58,661 | $57,000 | -2.8% |
| Median home value | $114,400 | $125,800 | +10.0% |
How Alcester 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+)
Alcester Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Dunes | 3,936 | $136,125 | 2.4% | $565,600 |
| North Sioux City | 3,045 | $71,908 | 11.0% | $269,800 |
| Elk Point | 2,537 | $90,473 | 8.5% | $248,500 |
| Jefferson | 554 | $82,888 | 4.9% | $179,400 |
| Richland | 107 | $130,417 | 0.0% | $208,300 |
Cities Similar to Alcester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont | 981 | $53,866 | $324,200 | 17.8% | 7.3% |
| Britton | 988 | $62,898 | $110,200 | 32.5% | 9.0% |
| Agency Village | 980 | $50,625 | $257,100 | 7.2% | 27.3% |
| Martin | 947 | $54,063 | $103,900 | 37.5% | 17.5% |
| Howard | 943 | $60,313 | $100,700 | 13.8% | 19.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 989, Alcester'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
Alcester is a small community located in South Dakota, within Union County. The total population is 989. It ranks as the 77th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alcester is 44.4 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 12.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alcester is $57,000. This is 24% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.2%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $125,800. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Alcester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alcester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 2.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 4.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 1.4%).
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% lower 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 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alcester, 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 Alcester, South Dakota?
Alcester, South Dakota has a population of 989 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alcester, SD?
The median household income in Alcester is $57,000, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alcester, SD?
The poverty rate in Alcester is 12.4%. This means approximately 116 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alcester, South Dakota?
Alcester's population is 82.0% White, 0.0% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alcester, SD?
The median home value in Alcester is $125,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Alcester, South Dakota?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Alcester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.