Clear Lake, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clear Lake, South Dakota had a total population of 1,327, the 61st largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $84,792, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.8%.
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 1.9x.
Clear Lake Quick Facts
How Clear Lake 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 | 1,333 | 1,327 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $65,398 | $84,792 | +29.7% |
| Median home value | $144,400 | $162,500 | +12.5% |
How Clear Lake 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+)
Clear Lake Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Deuel County
Cities Similar to Clear Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parker | 1,280 | $89,676 | $231,100 | 19.9% | 11.1% |
| Crooks | 1,268 | $98,984 | $295,400 | 36.4% | 0.5% |
| Aurora | 1,444 | $95,952 | $234,600 | 42.8% | 2.7% |
| Mission | 1,539 | N/A | $65,900 | 14.9% | 44.0% |
| Salem | 1,216 | $74,881 | $166,700 | 26.6% | 5.6% |
Population Overview
Clear Lake is a small community located in South Dakota, within Deuel County. The total population is 1,327. It ranks as the 61st most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clear Lake is 43.1 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 12.7% 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 Clear Lake is $84,792. This is 13% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 5% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.8%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $162,500. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Clear Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clear Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.2% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.3%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.1%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
26.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, South Dakota?
Clear Lake, South Dakota has a population of 1,327 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clear Lake, SD?
The median household income in Clear Lake is $84,792, which is 5% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clear Lake, SD?
The poverty rate in Clear Lake is 9.8%. This means approximately 126 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clear Lake, South Dakota?
Clear Lake's population is 96.2% White, 0.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clear Lake, SD?
The median home value in Clear Lake is $162,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Clear Lake, South Dakota?
26.5% of adults (25+) in Clear Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.