Fort Thompson CDP, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Fort Thompson CDP, South Dakota has a total population of 1,134, the 74th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $45,313, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 40.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (40.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 12.3% is notably above the national average.
Fort Thompson CDP Quick Facts
How Fort Thompson CDP Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 33 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fort Thompson CDP Rankings in South Dakota
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Cities Similar to Fort Thompson CDP
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark city | 1,181 | $49,464 | $125,700 | 12.7% | 11.5% |
| Lemmon city | 1,214 | $42,461 | $79,700 | 20.2% | 19.7% |
| Martin city | 1,054 | $49,609 | $87,300 | 35.1% | 14.7% |
| Tyndall city | 1,206 | $51,719 | $94,200 | 27.4% | 6.2% |
| Ashland Heights CDP | 1,142 | $61,538 | $202,700 | 12.8% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Fort Thompson CDP is a small community located in South Dakota. The total population is 1,134. It ranks as the 74th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Thompson CDP is 29.6 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. With 32.0% of the population under 18, Fort Thompson CDP has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Thompson CDP is $45,313. This is 37% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 40.5%. This is 237% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. 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 12.3%. This is 311% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $110,300. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Fort Thompson CDP is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 43.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fort Thompson CDP is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 80.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
4.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 86% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Thompson CDP, South Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fort Thompson CDP, South Dakota?
Fort Thompson CDP, South Dakota has a population of 1,134 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Thompson CDP, SD?
The median household income in Fort Thompson CDP is $45,313, which is 42% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Thompson CDP, SD?
The poverty rate in Fort Thompson CDP is 40.5%. This means approximately 456 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Thompson CDP, South Dakota?
Fort Thompson CDP's population is 3.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Thompson CDP, SD?
The median home value in Fort Thompson CDP is $110,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Fort Thompson CDP, South Dakota?
4.3% of adults (25+) in Fort Thompson CDP hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.