Bridger, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bridger, South Dakota had a total population of 66, the 354th largest community in South Dakota, with a median household income of $20,694, which is 72% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 78.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 72% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (78.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 50.0% is notably above the national average.
Bridger Quick Facts
How Bridger 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 | 72 | 66 | -8.3% |
| Median household income | $14,583 | $20,694 | +41.9% |
How Bridger 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+)
Bridger Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Ziebach County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dupree | 557 | $53,958 | 27.5% | $66,200 |
| Cherry Creek | 224 | N/A | 21.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bridger
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushnell | 66 | N/A | $90,000 | 33.3% | 7.6% |
| Cottonwood | 66 | N/A | N/A | 50.0% | 1.5% |
| Sunset Colony | 68 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Chelsea | 61 | N/A | N/A | 22.9% | 0.0% |
| Bath Corner | 72 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 66, Bridger'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
Bridger is a small community located in South Dakota, within Ziebach County. The total population is 66. It ranks as the 354th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bridger is 15.7 years. This is 59% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 59.1% of the population under 18, Bridger has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bridger is $20,694. This is 72% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 74% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 78.8%. This is 560% 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 50.0%. This is 1606% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. 48.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 40.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bridger, 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 Bridger, South Dakota?
Bridger, South Dakota has a population of 66 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bridger, SD?
The median household income in Bridger is $20,694, which is 74% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bridger, SD?
The poverty rate in Bridger is 78.8%. This means approximately 52 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bridger, South Dakota?
Bridger's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bridger, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Bridger — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Bridger, South Dakota?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Bridger hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.