Alpena, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alpena, South Dakota had a total population of 317, the 191st largest town in South Dakota, with a median household income of $66,667, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 5.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x.
Alpena Quick Facts
How Alpena 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 | 349 | 317 | -9.2% |
| Median household income | $65,417 | $66,667 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $46,100 | $51,800 | +12.4% |
How Alpena 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alpena Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Jerauld County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wessington Springs | 727 | $47,321 | 9.5% | $111,300 |
| Lane | 28 | $98,333 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Alpena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presho | 313 | $63,393 | $162,500 | 26.8% | 0.0% |
| Spring Creek | 330 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 93.3% |
| Florence | 317 | $75,909 | $158,700 | 8.0% | 9.8% |
| Keystone | 336 | $64,702 | $263,900 | 13.5% | 6.9% |
| Pukwana | 300 | $63,750 | $100,000 | 13.5% | 2.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 317, Alpena'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
Alpena is a small community located in South Dakota, within Jerauld County. The total population is 317. It ranks as the 191st most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alpena is 35.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alpena is $66,667. This is 11% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.6%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Alpena, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $51,800. Housing costs are 80% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x, Alpena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alpena is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.9% vs 4.8%).
Education
5.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 82% 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 85.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alpena, 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 Alpena, South Dakota?
Alpena, South Dakota has a population of 317 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alpena, SD?
The median household income in Alpena is $66,667, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alpena, SD?
The poverty rate in Alpena is 6.6%. This means approximately 21 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alpena, South Dakota?
Alpena's population is 64.0% White, 0.0% Black, 30.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alpena, SD?
The median home value in Alpena is $51,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.8x.
How educated is Alpena, South Dakota?
5.8% of adults (25+) in Alpena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.