Aurora, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Aurora, South Dakota had a total population of 1,444, the 57th largest town in South Dakota, with a median household income of $95,952, which is 28% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.7% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- 42.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Aurora Quick Facts
How Aurora 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 | 1,407 | 1,444 | +2.6% |
| Median household income | $90,612 | $95,952 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $219,100 | $234,600 | +7.1% |
How Aurora 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+)
Aurora Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Brookings County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings | 23,948 | $63,493 | 16.9% | $265,500 |
| Volga | 2,408 | $78,828 | 6.1% | $240,000 |
| Elkton | 977 | $69,688 | 26.7% | $185,100 |
| Arlington | 920 | $71,296 | 19.1% | $144,300 |
| White | 484 | $67,639 | 4.1% | $128,800 |
| Lake Poinsett | 348 | $96,875 | 5.2% | $493,200 |
| Bruce | 290 | $55,000 | 6.2% | $114,100 |
| Sinai | 215 | $56,875 | 1.9% | $89,300 |
| Bushnell | 66 | N/A | 7.6% | $90,000 |
Cities Similar to Aurora
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission | 1,539 | N/A | $65,900 | 14.9% | 44.0% |
| Baltic | 1,502 | $107,768 | $254,200 | 24.7% | 1.2% |
| Crooks | 1,268 | $98,984 | $295,400 | 36.4% | 0.5% |
| Clear Lake | 1,327 | $84,792 | $162,500 | 26.5% | 9.8% |
| Parker | 1,280 | $89,676 | $231,100 | 19.9% | 11.1% |
Population Overview
Aurora is a small community located in South Dakota, within Brookings County. The total population is 1,444. It ranks as the 57th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Aurora is 29.0 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Aurora is $95,952. This is 28% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 19% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.7%. This is 77% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $234,600. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Aurora is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Aurora has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.0%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 2.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.0% vs 4.8%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
42.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Aurora in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 34% 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 97.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Aurora, 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.
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 Aurora, South Dakota?
Aurora, South Dakota has a population of 1,444 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Aurora, SD?
The median household income in Aurora is $95,952, which is 19% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Aurora, SD?
The poverty rate in Aurora is 2.7%. This means approximately 39 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Aurora, South Dakota?
Aurora's population is 87.3% White, 1.0% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Aurora, SD?
The median home value in Aurora is $234,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Aurora, South Dakota?
42.8% of adults (25+) in Aurora hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.