Dolton, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dolton, South Dakota had a total population of 21, the 407th largest town in South Dakota, with a median household income of $63,929, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.8%.
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 4.8% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Dolton Quick Facts
How Dolton 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 | 42 | 21 | -50.0% |
| Median household income | $62,321 | $63,929 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $154,800 | $160,600 | +3.7% |
How Dolton 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+)
Dolton Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Turner County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parker | 1,280 | $89,676 | 11.1% | $231,100 |
| Marion | 981 | $67,750 | 10.8% | $164,500 |
| Viborg | 958 | $51,944 | 18.7% | $156,700 |
| Centerville | 903 | $54,318 | 7.8% | $161,200 |
| Chancellor | 421 | $66,563 | 8.0% | $139,800 |
| Hurley | 394 | $73,750 | 10.7% | $111,200 |
| Monroe | 233 | $51,250 | 24.7% | $48,900 |
| Cameron Colony | 77 | N/A | 39.0% | N/A |
| Davis | 76 | $85,000 | 5.3% | $95,000 |
Cities Similar to Dolton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vilas | 21 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Crocker | 22 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Seneca | 22 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 27.3% |
| Prairie City | 20 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Draper | 20 | $66,250 | N/A | 20.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 21, Dolton'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
Dolton is a small community located in South Dakota, within Turner County. The total population is 21. It ranks as the 407th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dolton is 60.1 years. This is 58% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dolton is $63,929. This is 15% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.8%. This is 60% 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 Dolton, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $160,600. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Dolton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 93.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Dolton 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
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dolton, 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 Dolton, South Dakota?
Dolton, South Dakota has a population of 21 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dolton, SD?
The median household income in Dolton is $63,929, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dolton, SD?
The poverty rate in Dolton is 4.8%. This means approximately 1 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dolton, South Dakota?
Dolton's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dolton, SD?
The median home value in Dolton is $160,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Dolton, South Dakota?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Dolton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.