Canton, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Canton, South Dakota had a total population of 3,033, the 26th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $60,850, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Canton Quick Facts
How Canton 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 | 3,060 | 3,033 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $65,500 | $60,850 | -7.1% |
| Median home value | $191,000 | $191,400 | +0.2% |
How Canton 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+)
Canton Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 8,519 | $108,724 | 0.5% | $312,200 |
| Tea | 6,786 | $120,139 | 4.7% | $351,100 |
| Lennox | 2,468 | $81,761 | 9.7% | $235,900 |
| Beresford | 2,360 | $78,793 | 5.2% | $234,400 |
| Worthing | 1,036 | $93,162 | 1.8% | $220,200 |
| Shindler | 579 | $146,154 | 0.0% | $617,600 |
| Hudson | 382 | $66,429 | 17.0% | $150,500 |
| Fairview | 102 | $71,719 | 18.6% | $155,400 |
Cities Similar to Canton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobridge | 2,932 | $65,357 | $136,800 | 29.4% | 18.3% |
| North Sioux City | 3,045 | $71,908 | $269,800 | 25.8% | 11.0% |
| Lead | 3,006 | $73,047 | $189,400 | 20.5% | 7.5% |
| Blackhawk | 2,934 | $71,993 | $273,300 | 16.4% | 1.8% |
| Winner | 2,905 | $47,381 | $106,100 | 14.4% | 28.2% |
Population Overview
Canton is a small community located in South Dakota, within Lincoln County. The total population is 3,033. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Canton is 42.2 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 16.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Canton is $60,850. This is 19% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 32% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 84% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $191,400. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 68.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Canton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Canton, 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 Canton, South Dakota?
Canton, South Dakota has a population of 3,033 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Canton, SD?
The median household income in Canton is $60,850, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Canton, SD?
The poverty rate in Canton is 8.1%. This means approximately 240 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Canton, South Dakota?
Canton's population is 92.3% White, 0.0% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Canton, SD?
The median home value in Canton is $191,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Canton, South Dakota?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Canton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.