Canistota, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Canistota, South Dakota had a total population of 711, the 113th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $76,250, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.
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 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Canistota Quick Facts
How Canistota 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 | 664 | 711 | +7.1% |
| Median household income | $61,979 | $76,250 | +23.0% |
| Median home value | $112,200 | $137,000 | +22.1% |
How Canistota 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+)
Canistota Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in McCook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 1,216 | $74,881 | 5.6% | $166,700 |
| Montrose | 483 | $78,125 | 7.4% | $239,700 |
| Bridgewater | 451 | $47,083 | 10.8% | $116,100 |
| Spencer | 103 | $67,188 | 2.9% | $155,600 |
| Golden View Colony | 60 | N/A | 70.0% | N/A |
| Orland Colony | 37 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Canistota
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colton | 736 | $83,750 | $192,900 | 14.6% | 14.3% |
| Armour | 675 | $81,917 | $105,500 | 30.6% | 11.1% |
| Allen | 783 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 37.5% |
| Big Stone City | 706 | $63,333 | $151,200 | 15.0% | 24.9% |
| Blucksberg Mountain | 692 | $89,500 | $328,900 | 21.5% | 4.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 711, Canistota'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
Canistota is a small community located in South Dakota, within McCook County. The total population is 711. It ranks as the 113th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Canistota is 36.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Canistota has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Canistota is $76,250. This is 2% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 18% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $137,000. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Canistota is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Canistota is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.3% vs 4.8%).
Education
17.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 92.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Canistota, 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 Canistota, South Dakota?
Canistota, South Dakota has a population of 711 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Canistota, SD?
The median household income in Canistota is $76,250, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Canistota, SD?
The poverty rate in Canistota is 14.1%. This means approximately 93 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Canistota, South Dakota?
Canistota's population is 78.8% White, 1.7% Black, 10.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Canistota, SD?
The median home value in Canistota is $137,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Canistota, South Dakota?
17.1% of adults (25+) in Canistota hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.