Brookings city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Brookings city, South Dakota has a total population of 23,710, the 4th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $61,979, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Brookings city is the 4th largest city in South Dakota with a population of 23,710.
- 49.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
Brookings city Quick Facts
How Brookings 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+)
Brookings city Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Brookings County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volga city | 2,246 | $75,417 | 7.5% | $220,200 |
| Aurora town | 1,407 | $90,612 | 2.1% | $219,100 |
| Elkton city | 971 | $58,750 | 27.9% | $183,800 |
| White city | 438 | $63,125 | 5.3% | $141,700 |
| Bruce city | 283 | $52,500 | 7.1% | $95,000 |
| Sinai town | 220 | $52,188 | 1.4% | $91,500 |
| Bushnell town | 66 | $91,250 | 9.1% | $87,500 |
| Wood town | 55 | $34,375 | 40.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Brookings city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown city | 22,859 | $62,721 | $212,300 | 21.2% | 10.7% |
| Aberdeen city | 28,297 | $63,715 | $205,500 | 33.6% | 12.9% |
| Mitchell city | 15,637 | $56,374 | $182,000 | 25.7% | 14.1% |
| Yankton city | 15,501 | $69,071 | $202,300 | 30.2% | 10.9% |
| Huron city | 14,347 | $51,556 | $164,700 | 27.0% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Brookings city is a small city located in South Dakota, within Brookings County. The total population is 23,710. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brookings city is 24.7 years. This is 34% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brookings city is $61,979. This is 14% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.1%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $243,600. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $236,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 48.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brookings city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Asian residents account for 4.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.8% vs 1.4%).
Education
49.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Brookings city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 60% higher 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 96.7%. Notably, 18.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brookings 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 Brookings city, South Dakota?
Brookings city, South Dakota has a population of 23,710 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brookings city, SD?
The median household income in Brookings city is $61,979, which is 21% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Brookings city, SD?
The poverty rate in Brookings city is 16.1%. This means approximately 3,309 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brookings city, South Dakota?
Brookings city's population is 86.4% White, 1.5% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brookings city, SD?
The median home value in Brookings city is $243,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Brookings city, South Dakota?
49.7% of adults (25+) in Brookings city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.