Chamberlain, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chamberlain, South Dakota had a total population of 2,588, the 34th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $76,761, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Chamberlain Quick Facts
How Chamberlain 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 | 2,621 | 2,588 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $75,000 | $76,761 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $195,300 | $224,300 | +14.8% |
How Chamberlain 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chamberlain Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Brule County
Cities Similar to Chamberlain
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lennox | 2,468 | $81,761 | $235,900 | 24.1% | 9.7% |
| Volga | 2,408 | $78,828 | $240,000 | 46.1% | 6.1% |
| Elk Point | 2,537 | $90,473 | $248,500 | 29.4% | 8.5% |
| Beresford | 2,360 | $78,793 | $234,400 | 28.1% | 5.2% |
| Custer | 2,341 | $78,369 | $235,600 | 26.1% | 14.2% |
Population Overview
Chamberlain is a small community located in South Dakota, within Brule County. The total population is 2,588. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chamberlain is 43.0 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 11.5% 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 Chamberlain is $76,761. This is 2% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.1%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $224,300. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Chamberlain is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chamberlain is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
33.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% higher 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 88.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chamberlain, 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 Chamberlain, South Dakota?
Chamberlain, South Dakota has a population of 2,588 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chamberlain, SD?
The median household income in Chamberlain is $76,761, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chamberlain, SD?
The poverty rate in Chamberlain is 12.1%. This means approximately 295 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chamberlain, South Dakota?
Chamberlain's population is 72.6% White, 0.4% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chamberlain, SD?
The median home value in Chamberlain is $224,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Chamberlain, South Dakota?
33.3% of adults (25+) in Chamberlain hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.