Bruce, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bruce, South Dakota had a total population of 290, the 201st largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $55,000, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Bruce Quick Facts
How Bruce 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 | 283 | 290 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $52,500 | $55,000 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $95,000 | $114,100 | +20.1% |
How Bruce 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+)
Bruce Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Brookings County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings | 23,948 | $63,493 | 16.9% | $265,500 |
| Volga | 2,408 | $78,828 | 6.1% | $240,000 |
| Aurora | 1,444 | $95,952 | 2.7% | $234,600 |
| Elkton | 977 | $69,688 | 26.7% | $185,100 |
| Arlington | 920 | $71,296 | 19.1% | $144,300 |
| White | 484 | $67,639 | 4.1% | $128,800 |
| Lake Poinsett | 348 | $96,875 | 5.2% | $493,200 |
| Sinai | 215 | $56,875 | 1.9% | $89,300 |
| Bushnell | 66 | N/A | 7.6% | $90,000 |
Cities Similar to Bruce
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stickney | 284 | $59,750 | $131,600 | 31.6% | 13.7% |
| Bristol | 275 | $56,250 | $76,400 | 8.4% | 8.3% |
| Hosmer | 289 | $65,096 | $59,600 | 38.5% | 12.1% |
| Faith | 297 | $47,083 | $151,000 | 22.4% | 14.1% |
| Pukwana | 300 | $63,750 | $100,000 | 13.5% | 2.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 290, Bruce'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
Bruce is a small community located in South Dakota, within Brookings County. The total population is 290. It ranks as the 201st most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bruce is 38.7 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. With 31.4% of the population under 18, Bruce has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bruce is $55,000. This is 27% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.2%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Bruce, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $114,100. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Bruce is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bruce has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.3% vs 4.8%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
25.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bruce, 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 Bruce, South Dakota?
Bruce, South Dakota has a population of 290 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bruce, SD?
The median household income in Bruce is $55,000, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bruce, SD?
The poverty rate in Bruce is 6.2%. This means approximately 18 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bruce, South Dakota?
Bruce's population is 90.3% White, 0.0% Black, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bruce, SD?
The median home value in Bruce is $114,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Bruce, South Dakota?
25.4% of adults (25+) in Bruce hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.