Bonesteel, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bonesteel, South Dakota had a total population of 286, the 203rd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $43,409, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% is notably above the national average.
Bonesteel Quick Facts
How Bonesteel 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 | 301 | 286 | -5.0% |
| Median household income | $40,750 | $43,409 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $65,000 | $74,100 | +14.0% |
How Bonesteel 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+)
Bonesteel Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Gregory County
Cities Similar to Bonesteel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faith | 297 | $47,083 | $151,000 | 22.4% | 14.1% |
| Bruce | 290 | $55,000 | $114,100 | 25.4% | 6.2% |
| New Effington | 269 | $50,208 | $68,000 | 6.7% | 20.7% |
| Spring Creek | 330 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 93.3% |
| Sicangu Village | 245 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 55.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 286, Bonesteel'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
Bonesteel is a small community located in South Dakota, within Gregory County. The total population is 286. It ranks as the 203rd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bonesteel is 47.7 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 15.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bonesteel is $43,409. This is 42% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 97% 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 8.5%. This is 190% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $74,100. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Bonesteel is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bonesteel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.1% of the population.
Education
13.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 98.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bonesteel, 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 Bonesteel, South Dakota?
Bonesteel, South Dakota has a population of 286 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bonesteel, SD?
The median household income in Bonesteel is $43,409, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bonesteel, SD?
The poverty rate in Bonesteel is 23.5%. This means approximately 64 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bonesteel, South Dakota?
Bonesteel's population is 80.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bonesteel, SD?
The median home value in Bonesteel is $74,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Bonesteel, South Dakota?
13.1% of adults (25+) in Bonesteel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.