Dakota Dunes, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dakota Dunes, South Dakota had a total population of 3,936, the 20th largest community in South Dakota, with a median household income of $136,125, which is 81% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 81% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in South Dakota.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.4% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- 59.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
Dakota Dunes Quick Facts
How Dakota Dunes 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 | 4,129 | 3,936 | -4.7% |
| Median household income | $123,438 | $136,125 | +10.3% |
| Median home value | $495,000 | $565,600 | +14.3% |
How Dakota Dunes 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+)
Dakota Dunes Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Sioux City | 3,045 | $71,908 | 11.0% | $269,800 |
| Elk Point | 2,537 | $90,473 | 8.5% | $248,500 |
| Alcester | 989 | $57,000 | 12.4% | $125,800 |
| Jefferson | 554 | $82,888 | 4.9% | $179,400 |
| Richland | 107 | $130,417 | 0.0% | $208,300 |
Cities Similar to Dakota Dunes
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Rapids | 3,905 | $100,170 | $301,700 | 38.9% | 9.4% |
| Hartford | 3,478 | $99,893 | $257,700 | 34.3% | 5.5% |
| Summerset | 3,022 | $119,271 | $368,300 | 38.4% | 8.6% |
| Hot Springs | 3,548 | $66,338 | $202,600 | 28.9% | 21.1% |
| Milbank | 3,525 | $56,011 | $155,000 | 31.2% | 13.2% |
Population Overview
Dakota Dunes is a small community located in South Dakota, within Union County. The total population is 3,936. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dakota Dunes is 42.6 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dakota Dunes is $136,125. This is 81% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 69% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.4%. This is 80% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $565,600. Housing costs are 120% higher than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dakota Dunes has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.0% vs 4.8%).
Education
59.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Dakota Dunes in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 88% 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 99.2%. Notably, 22.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dakota Dunes, 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 Dakota Dunes, South Dakota?
Dakota Dunes, South Dakota has a population of 3,936 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dakota Dunes, SD?
The median household income in Dakota Dunes is $136,125, which is 69% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dakota Dunes, SD?
The poverty rate in Dakota Dunes is 2.4%. This means approximately 93 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota?
Dakota Dunes's population is 89.0% White, 0.0% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dakota Dunes, SD?
The median home value in Dakota Dunes is $565,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Dakota Dunes, South Dakota?
59.8% of adults (25+) in Dakota Dunes hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.