Emery, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Emery, South Dakota had a total population of 539, the 145th 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 6.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Emery Quick Facts
How Emery 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 | 475 | 539 | +13.5% |
| Median household income | $62,679 | $67,321 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $125,000 | $152,400 | +21.9% |
How Emery 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+)
Emery Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Hanson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | 692 | $102,679 | 3.3% | $180,200 |
| Fulton | 84 | $56,667 | 11.9% | $154,200 |
| Millbrook Colony | 47 | N/A | 57.5% | N/A |
| Oak Lane Colony | 34 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Farmer | 31 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Rockport Colony | 23 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Emery
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanblee | 534 | N/A | N/A | 7.9% | 53.4% |
| Oacoma | 548 | $73,333 | $171,700 | 18.8% | 5.5% |
| Herreid | 560 | $72,250 | $122,900 | 41.5% | 3.4% |
| Parmelee | 584 | N/A | N/A | 9.3% | 84.9% |
| Ramona | 538 | $78,750 | $85,800 | 13.7% | 26.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 539, Emery'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
Emery is a small community located in South Dakota, within Hanson County. The total population is 539. It ranks as the 145th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Emery is 33.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 31.5% of the population under 18, Emery has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Emery 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 6.7%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Emery, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $152,400. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Emery is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Emery has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
25.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Emery, 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 Emery, South Dakota?
Emery, South Dakota has a population of 539 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Emery, SD?
The median household income in Emery is $67,321, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Emery, SD?
The poverty rate in Emery is 6.7%. This means approximately 36 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Emery, South Dakota?
Emery's population is 95.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Emery, SD?
The median home value in Emery is $152,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Emery, South Dakota?
25.3% of adults (25+) in Emery hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.