De Smet, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, De Smet, South Dakota had a total population of 943, the 86th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $67,321, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.6%.
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 4.6% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
De Smet Quick Facts
How De Smet 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 | 974 | 943 | -3.2% |
| Median household income | $60,139 | $67,321 | +11.9% |
| Median home value | $155,900 | $165,200 | +6.0% |
How De Smet 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+)
De Smet Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Kingsbury County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Preston | 596 | $52,396 | 17.0% | $130,000 |
| Badger | 162 | $65,000 | 3.7% | $70,000 |
| Erwin | 105 | $86,250 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Oldham | 75 | $33,750 | 17.3% | N/A |
| Spring Lake Colony | 35 | N/A | 48.6% | N/A |
| Bancroft | 16 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Hetland | 10 | $46,250 | 0.0% | $57,500 |
Cities Similar to De Smet
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 981 | $67,750 | $164,500 | 18.8% | 10.8% |
| Elkton | 977 | $69,688 | $185,100 | 21.6% | 26.7% |
| Arlington | 920 | $71,296 | $144,300 | 21.1% | 19.1% |
| Howard | 943 | $60,313 | $100,700 | 13.8% | 19.6% |
| Colman | 948 | $76,146 | $235,800 | 38.0% | 11.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 943, De Smet'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
De Smet is a small community located in South Dakota, within Kingsbury County. The total population is 943. It ranks as the 86th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in De Smet is 47.3 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 14.7% 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 De Smet is $67,321. This is 10% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.6%. This is 62% 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 De Smet, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $165,200. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, De Smet is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
De Smet has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.7% of all residents.
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 94.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for De Smet, 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 De Smet, South Dakota?
De Smet, South Dakota has a population of 943 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in De Smet, SD?
The median household income in De Smet is $67,321, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in De Smet, SD?
The poverty rate in De Smet is 4.6%. This means approximately 41 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of De Smet, South Dakota?
De Smet's population is 97.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in De Smet, SD?
The median home value in De Smet is $165,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is De Smet, South Dakota?
22.1% of adults (25+) in De Smet hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.