Ethan, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ethan, South Dakota had a total population of 346, the 184th largest town in South Dakota, with a median household income of $60,417, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Ethan Quick Facts
How Ethan 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 | 263 | 346 | +31.6% |
| Median household income | $54,688 | $60,417 | +10.5% |
| Median home value | $134,400 | $152,300 | +13.3% |
How Ethan 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+)
Ethan Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Davison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell | 15,649 | $58,620 | 12.5% | $192,200 |
| Mount Vernon | 442 | $60,357 | 5.0% | $164,400 |
| Loomis | 13 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ethan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summit | 359 | $60,000 | $98,100 | 4.9% | 14.5% |
| Spring Creek | 330 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 93.3% |
| Hoven | 329 | $60,625 | $88,300 | 14.6% | 6.9% |
| Keystone | 336 | $64,702 | $263,900 | 13.5% | 6.9% |
| Hermosa | 353 | $53,203 | $148,800 | 7.5% | 14.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 346, Ethan'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
Ethan is a small community located in South Dakota, within Davison County. The total population is 346. It ranks as the 184th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ethan is 26.3 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 37.0% of the population under 18, Ethan has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ethan is $60,417. This is 20% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.1%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Ethan, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $152,300. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Ethan is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ethan is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (11.6% vs 2.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.8% vs 4.8%).
Education
17.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 91.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ethan, 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 Ethan, South Dakota?
Ethan, South Dakota has a population of 346 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ethan, SD?
The median household income in Ethan is $60,417, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ethan, SD?
The poverty rate in Ethan is 12.1%. This means approximately 42 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ethan, South Dakota?
Ethan's population is 76.3% White, 11.6% Black, 11.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ethan, SD?
The median home value in Ethan is $152,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Ethan, South Dakota?
17.1% of adults (25+) in Ethan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.