Cottonwood, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cottonwood, South Dakota had a total population of 66, the 354th largest town in South Dakota. The poverty rate is 1.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.5% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- 50.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
Cottonwood Quick Facts
How Cottonwood 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 | 105 | 66 | -37.1% |
How Cottonwood 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+)
Cottonwood Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
Cities Similar to Cottonwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridger | 66 | $20,694 | N/A | 0.0% | 78.8% |
| Bushnell | 66 | N/A | $90,000 | 33.3% | 7.6% |
| Wallace | 66 | $55,000 | $86,700 | 16.7% | 4.5% |
| Fedora | 65 | $75,526 | $22,300 | 0.0% | 4.6% |
| Sherman | 65 | $72,500 | $90,000 | 1.9% | 3.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 66, Cottonwood'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
Cottonwood is a small community located in South Dakota, within Jackson County. The total population is 66. It ranks as the 354th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
With 72.7% of the population under 18, Cottonwood has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 1.5%. This is 87% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Cottonwood, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Cottonwood was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
50.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cottonwood in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, South Dakota?
Cottonwood, South Dakota has a population of 66 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cottonwood, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Cottonwood — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cottonwood, SD?
The poverty rate in Cottonwood is 1.5%. This means approximately 1 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cottonwood, South Dakota?
Cottonwood's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cottonwood, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Cottonwood — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Cottonwood, South Dakota?
50.0% of adults (25+) in Cottonwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.