Ashland Heights, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ashland Heights, South Dakota had a total population of 1,105, the 72nd largest community in South Dakota, with a median household income of $57,353, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 26.0% is notably above the national average.
Ashland Heights Quick Facts
How Ashland Heights 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 | 1,142 | 1,105 | -3.2% |
| Median household income | $61,538 | $57,353 | -6.8% |
| Median home value | $202,700 | $219,600 | +8.3% |
How Ashland Heights 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+)
Ashland Heights Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Pennington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | 77,946 | $70,870 | 12.5% | $299,400 |
| Box Elder | 12,902 | $73,008 | 7.5% | $302,100 |
| Rapid Valley | 6,975 | $83,208 | 4.5% | $255,500 |
| Colonial Pine Hills | 2,609 | $98,696 | 0.2% | $406,500 |
| Green Valley | 1,642 | $81,582 | 1.0% | $280,300 |
| Hill City | 834 | $95,385 | 2.6% | $286,200 |
| Johnson Siding | 704 | $102,716 | 10.2% | $471,700 |
| Wall | 622 | $58,984 | 8.8% | $164,800 |
| New Underwood | 509 | $56,250 | 25.8% | $193,800 |
| Keystone | 336 | $64,702 | 6.9% | $263,900 |
Cities Similar to Ashland Heights
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garretson | 1,176 | $59,741 | $203,800 | 28.2% | 5.3% |
| Alcester | 989 | $57,000 | $125,800 | 20.3% | 12.4% |
| Tyndall | 1,183 | $50,481 | $101,500 | 27.9% | 8.5% |
| Fort Thompson | 1,147 | $47,159 | $150,000 | 7.2% | 41.6% |
| Piedmont | 981 | $53,866 | $324,200 | 17.8% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Ashland Heights is a small community located in South Dakota, within Pennington County. The total population is 1,105. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ashland Heights is 54.6 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ashland Heights is $57,353. 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 30.7%. This is 157% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 26.0%. This is 787% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $219,600. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ashland Heights has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.6% of all residents.
Education
10.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 98.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ashland Heights, 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 Ashland Heights, South Dakota?
Ashland Heights, South Dakota has a population of 1,105 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ashland Heights, SD?
The median household income in Ashland Heights is $57,353, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ashland Heights, SD?
The poverty rate in Ashland Heights is 30.7%. This means approximately 339 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ashland Heights, South Dakota?
Ashland Heights's population is 92.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ashland Heights, SD?
The median home value in Ashland Heights is $219,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Ashland Heights, South Dakota?
10.1% of adults (25+) in Ashland Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.