Belle Fourche, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belle Fourche, South Dakota had a total population of 5,804, the 19th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $65,071, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Belle Fourche Quick Facts
How Belle Fourche 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 | 5,741 | 5,804 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $59,920 | $65,071 | +8.6% |
| Median home value | $188,800 | $222,500 | +17.8% |
How Belle Fourche 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+)
Belle Fourche Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Butte County
Cities Similar to Belle Fourche
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 6,094 | $65,593 | $193,100 | 34.4% | 9.5% |
| Sturgis | 7,086 | $54,404 | $271,200 | 24.4% | 9.2% |
| Rapid Valley | 6,975 | $83,208 | $255,500 | 19.8% | 4.5% |
| Tea | 6,786 | $120,139 | $351,100 | 47.1% | 4.7% |
| Hot Springs | 3,548 | $66,338 | $202,600 | 28.9% | 21.1% |
Population Overview
Belle Fourche is a small city located in South Dakota, within Butte County. The total population is 5,804. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belle Fourche is 38.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Belle Fourche is $65,071. This is 13% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.6%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $222,500. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 65.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Belle Fourche has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%.
Education
17.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 84.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belle Fourche, 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 Belle Fourche, South Dakota?
Belle Fourche, South Dakota has a population of 5,804 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belle Fourche, SD?
The median household income in Belle Fourche is $65,071, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belle Fourche, SD?
The poverty rate in Belle Fourche is 10.6%. This means approximately 603 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belle Fourche, South Dakota?
Belle Fourche's population is 89.5% White, 0.0% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belle Fourche, SD?
The median home value in Belle Fourche is $222,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Belle Fourche, South Dakota?
17.1% of adults (25+) in Belle Fourche hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.