Elkton, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elkton, South Dakota had a total population of 977, the 82nd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $69,688, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Elkton Quick Facts
How Elkton 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 | 971 | 977 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $58,750 | $69,688 | +18.6% |
| Median home value | $183,800 | $185,100 | +0.7% |
How Elkton 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elkton Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Brookings County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings | 23,948 | $63,493 | 16.9% | $265,500 |
| Volga | 2,408 | $78,828 | 6.1% | $240,000 |
| Aurora | 1,444 | $95,952 | 2.7% | $234,600 |
| Arlington | 920 | $71,296 | 19.1% | $144,300 |
| White | 484 | $67,639 | 4.1% | $128,800 |
| Lake Poinsett | 348 | $96,875 | 5.2% | $493,200 |
| Bruce | 290 | $55,000 | 6.2% | $114,100 |
| Sinai | 215 | $56,875 | 1.9% | $89,300 |
| Bushnell | 66 | N/A | 7.6% | $90,000 |
Cities Similar to Elkton
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% |
| De Smet | 943 | $67,321 | $165,200 | 22.1% | 4.6% |
| Britton | 988 | $62,898 | $110,200 | 32.5% | 9.0% |
| Arlington | 920 | $71,296 | $144,300 | 21.1% | 19.1% |
| Colman | 948 | $76,146 | $235,800 | 38.0% | 11.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 977, Elkton'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
Elkton is a small community located in South Dakota, within Brookings County. The total population is 977. It ranks as the 82nd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elkton is 30.9 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 33.4% of the population under 18, Elkton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elkton is $69,688. This is 7% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.7%. This is 124% 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 2.8%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $185,100. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Elkton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elkton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 37.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (37.3% vs 4.8%).
Education
21.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 82.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elkton, 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 Elkton, South Dakota?
Elkton, South Dakota has a population of 977 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elkton, SD?
The median household income in Elkton is $69,688, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elkton, SD?
The poverty rate in Elkton is 26.7%. This means approximately 253 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elkton, South Dakota?
Elkton's population is 61.9% White, 0.0% Black, 37.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elkton, SD?
The median home value in Elkton is $185,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Elkton, South Dakota?
21.6% of adults (25+) in Elkton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.