Batesland, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Batesland, South Dakota had a total population of 89, the 315th largest town in South Dakota. The poverty rate is 34.8%.
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 (34.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 14.3% is notably above the national average.
Batesland Quick Facts
How Batesland 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 | 87 | 89 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $51,300 | $51,900 | +1.2% |
How Batesland 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+)
Batesland Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Oglala Lakota County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Ridge | 2,246 | $53,060 | 14.5% | N/A |
| Oglala | 1,071 | $21,330 | 68.8% | N/A |
| Manderson-White Horse Creek | 833 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Kyle | 667 | $36,250 | 35.0% | $9,999 |
| Wounded Knee | 524 | $2,499 | 100.0% | N/A |
| Porcupine | 424 | N/A | 79.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Batesland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millerdale Colony | 90 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Morningside | 90 | $119,028 | $230,600 | 50.9% | 0.0% |
| Mound City | 90 | N/A | $33,600 | 61.0% | 37.8% |
| Revillo | 88 | $56,300 | N/A | 6.4% | 11.4% |
| Spink Colony | 88 | N/A | N/A | 70.6% | 77.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 89, Batesland'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
Batesland is a small community located in South Dakota, within Oglala Lakota County. The total population is 89. It ranks as the 315th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Batesland is 44.3 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, Batesland has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 34.8%. This is 192% 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 14.3%. This is 388% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $51,900. Housing costs are 80% lower than the state median of $257,400. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Education
14.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Batesland, 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 Batesland, South Dakota?
Batesland, South Dakota has a population of 89 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Batesland, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Batesland — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Batesland, SD?
The poverty rate in Batesland is 34.8%. This means approximately 31 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Batesland, South Dakota?
Batesland's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Batesland, SD?
The median home value in Batesland is $51,900.
How educated is Batesland, South Dakota?
14.3% of adults (25+) in Batesland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.