Belle Fourche city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Belle Fourche city, South Dakota has a total population of 5,741, the 19th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $59,920, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.1%.
Belle Fourche city Quick Facts
How Belle Fourche city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 33 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Belle Fourche city Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Butte County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newell city | 494 | $52,277 | 7.5% | $120,100 |
| Nisland town | 167 | $29,444 | 23.9% | $75,500 |
| Fruitdale town | 121 | $15,833 | 47.1% | $162,800 |
Cities Similar to Belle Fourche city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison city | 6,158 | $62,180 | $191,400 | 35.7% | 11.2% |
| Sturgis city | 7,111 | $51,101 | $236,400 | 19.8% | 9.0% |
| Tea city | 6,339 | $104,643 | $305,300 | 41.4% | 4.4% |
| Rapid Valley CDP | 7,153 | $85,217 | $226,300 | 20.1% | 6.9% |
| Milbank city | 3,513 | $58,462 | $161,300 | 34.3% | 13.6% |
Population Overview
Belle Fourche city is a small city located in South Dakota, within Butte County. The total population is 5,741. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belle Fourche city is 36.8 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Belle Fourche city is $59,920. This is 17% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 7.1%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 117% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $188,800. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $236,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 72.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Belle Fourche city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
15.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belle Fourche city, South Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Belle Fourche city, South Dakota?
Belle Fourche city, South Dakota has a population of 5,741 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belle Fourche city, SD?
The median household income in Belle Fourche city is $59,920, which is 24% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Belle Fourche city, SD?
The poverty rate in Belle Fourche city is 7.1%. This means approximately 398 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belle Fourche city, South Dakota?
Belle Fourche city's population is 88.6% White, 0.0% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belle Fourche city, SD?
The median home value in Belle Fourche city is $188,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Belle Fourche city, South Dakota?
15.2% of adults (25+) in Belle Fourche city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.