Custer, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Custer, South Dakota had a total population of 2,341, the 41st largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $78,369, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Custer Quick Facts
How Custer 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 | 2,148 | 2,341 | +9.0% |
| Median household income | $80,188 | $78,369 | -2.3% |
| Median home value | $229,500 | $235,600 | +2.7% |
How Custer 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+)
Custer Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Custer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermosa | 353 | $53,203 | 14.2% | $148,800 |
| Pringle | 206 | N/A | 4.4% | N/A |
| Buffalo Gap | 131 | $54,063 | 1.5% | $100,000 |
| Fairburn | 61 | $41,250 | 0.0% | $85,000 |
Cities Similar to Custer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beresford | 2,360 | $78,793 | $234,400 | 28.1% | 5.2% |
| Volga | 2,408 | $78,828 | $240,000 | 46.1% | 6.1% |
| Lennox | 2,468 | $81,761 | $235,900 | 24.1% | 9.7% |
| Fort Pierre | 2,410 | $70,357 | $220,900 | 24.7% | 5.6% |
| Chamberlain | 2,588 | $76,761 | $224,300 | 33.3% | 12.1% |
Population Overview
Custer is a small community located in South Dakota, within Custer County. The total population is 2,341. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Custer is 51.2 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. Only 13.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.2% 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 Custer is $78,369. This is 4% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.2%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $235,600. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Custer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 91.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Custer, 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.
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 Custer, South Dakota?
Custer, South Dakota has a population of 2,341 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Custer, SD?
The median household income in Custer is $78,369, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Custer, SD?
The poverty rate in Custer is 14.2%. This means approximately 318 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Custer, South Dakota?
Custer's population is 86.4% White, 0.0% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Custer, SD?
The median home value in Custer is $235,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Custer, South Dakota?
26.1% of adults (25+) in Custer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.