Clear Lake city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Clear Lake city, South Dakota has a total population of 1,333, the 62nd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $65,398, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Clear Lake city Quick Facts
How Clear Lake 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+)
Clear Lake city Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Deuel County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto town | 272 | $53,750 | 2.9% | $90,000 |
| Gary city | 227 | $49,375 | 8.8% | $72,500 |
| Astoria town | 160 | $46,667 | 16.3% | $103,400 |
| Brandt town | 100 | $58,036 | 8.0% | N/A |
| Goodwin town | 94 | $54,750 | 14.9% | $175,000 |
| Herrick town | 54 | $45,500 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Altamont town | 34 | N/A | 0.0% | $263,900 |
Cities Similar to Clear Lake city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gettysburg city | 1,344 | $59,667 | $127,000 | 27.2% | 9.7% |
| Platte city | 1,310 | $71,641 | $165,700 | 29.7% | 16.2% |
| Kyle CDP | 1,495 | N/A | N/A | 9.0% | 52.8% |
| Deadwood city | 1,319 | $52,679 | $227,000 | 22.9% | 2.8% |
| Miller city | 1,346 | $51,774 | $135,100 | 26.1% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Clear Lake city is a small community located in South Dakota, within Deuel County. The total population is 1,333. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clear Lake city is 44.1 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. 12.4% 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 Clear Lake city is $65,398. This is 10% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $144,400. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Clear Lake city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clear Lake city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.7% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.5%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.2%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
26.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% lower 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 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clear Lake 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.
Free data download: Get all South Dakota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Clear Lake city, South Dakota?
Clear Lake city, South Dakota has a population of 1,333 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clear Lake city, SD?
The median household income in Clear Lake city is $65,398, which is 17% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Clear Lake city, SD?
The poverty rate in Clear Lake city is 8.2%. This means approximately 106 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clear Lake city, South Dakota?
Clear Lake city's population is 95.7% White, 0.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clear Lake city, SD?
The median home value in Clear Lake city is $144,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Clear Lake city, South Dakota?
26.8% of adults (25+) in Clear Lake city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.