Box Elder city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Box Elder city, South Dakota has a total population of 12,457, the 11th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $73,698, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.4%.
Box Elder city Quick Facts
How Box Elder city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Box Elder city Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Pennington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City city | 76,836 | $65,712 | 13.3% | $270,000 |
| Hill City city | 699 | $85,714 | 3.9% | $246,700 |
| New Underwood city | 538 | $54,167 | 23.5% | $188,700 |
| Keystone town | 404 | $62,159 | 11.1% | $188,800 |
| Hermosa town | 296 | $53,194 | 14.9% | $108,800 |
| Fairview town | 95 | $69,464 | 17.9% | $129,200 |
| Wasta town | 77 | $45,000 | 7.8% | $111,500 |
| Quinn town | 76 | $95,795 | 0.0% | $104,200 |
Cities Similar to Box Elder city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spearfish city | 12,551 | $59,731 | $309,200 | 43.6% | 15.2% |
| Pierre city | 14,008 | $74,053 | $219,500 | 34.8% | 10.3% |
| Vermillion city | 11,800 | $52,815 | $210,200 | 50.6% | 25.1% |
| Yankton city | 15,501 | $69,071 | $202,300 | 30.2% | 10.9% |
| Brandon city | 10,996 | $104,806 | $317,300 | 40.6% | 2.6% |
Population Overview
Box Elder city is a small city located in South Dakota, within Pennington County. The total population is 12,457. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Box Elder city is 28.6 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Box Elder city is $73,698. This is 2% higher than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 6% lower. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $271,800. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $236,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 48.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Box Elder city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.9% vs 4.6%).
Education
29.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 94.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Box Elder 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 Box Elder city, South Dakota?
Box Elder city, South Dakota has a population of 12,457 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Box Elder city, SD?
The median household income in Box Elder city is $73,698, which is 6% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Box Elder city, SD?
The poverty rate in Box Elder city is 7.4%. This means approximately 900 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Box Elder city, South Dakota?
Box Elder city's population is 72.7% White, 1.7% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Box Elder city, SD?
The median home value in Box Elder city is $271,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Box Elder city, South Dakota?
29.8% of adults (25+) in Box Elder city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.