Eagle Butte, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Eagle Butte, South Dakota had a total population of 1,458, the 56th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $45,741, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 24.7% is notably above the national average.
Eagle Butte Quick Facts
How Eagle Butte 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 | 1,492 | 1,458 | -2.3% |
| Median household income | $53,558 | $45,741 | -14.6% |
| Median home value | $51,500 | $65,900 | +28.0% |
How Eagle Butte 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+)
Eagle Butte Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Dewey County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Eagle Butte | 1,481 | $34,358 | 52.6% | $33,100 |
| Timber Lake | 779 | $60,694 | 15.8% | $81,400 |
| La Plant | 240 | $18,654 | 96.5% | N/A |
| Isabel | 214 | $68,750 | 15.9% | $48,200 |
| Whitehorse | 162 | $59,250 | 32.1% | N/A |
| Green Grass | 78 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Swift Bird | 35 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Lantry | 3 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Eagle Butte
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission | 1,539 | N/A | $65,900 | 14.9% | 44.0% |
| Wagner | 1,529 | $47,462 | $136,000 | 22.6% | 15.7% |
| Gregory | 1,379 | $51,450 | $115,300 | 18.6% | 7.3% |
| North Eagle Butte | 1,481 | $34,358 | $33,100 | 10.0% | 52.6% |
| Miller | 1,363 | $57,500 | $155,200 | 28.1% | 7.6% |
Population Overview
Eagle Butte is a small community located in South Dakota, within Dewey County. The total population is 1,458. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Eagle Butte is 28.0 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 39.4% of the population under 18, Eagle Butte has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Eagle Butte is $45,741. This is 39% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.8%. This is 167% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 24.7%. This is 742% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $65,900. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Eagle Butte is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Eagle Butte is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 79.8%.
Education
15.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Eagle Butte, 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 Eagle Butte, South Dakota?
Eagle Butte, South Dakota has a population of 1,458 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Eagle Butte, SD?
The median household income in Eagle Butte is $45,741, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Eagle Butte, SD?
The poverty rate in Eagle Butte is 31.8%. This means approximately 446 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Eagle Butte, South Dakota?
Eagle Butte's population is 6.4% White, 1.1% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Eagle Butte, SD?
The median home value in Eagle Butte is $65,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Eagle Butte, South Dakota?
15.3% of adults (25+) in Eagle Butte hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.