Fort Thompson, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Thompson, South Dakota had a total population of 1,147, the 71st largest community in South Dakota, with a median household income of $47,159, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 41.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 (41.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
Fort Thompson Quick Facts
How Fort Thompson 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 | 1,134 | 1,147 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $45,313 | $47,159 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $110,300 | $150,000 | +36.0% |
How Fort Thompson 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+)
Fort Thompson Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Buffalo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gann Valley | 6 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Fort Thompson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyndall | 1,183 | $50,481 | $101,500 | 27.9% | 8.5% |
| Lemmon | 1,208 | $50,147 | $86,200 | 22.9% | 22.0% |
| Deadwood | 1,209 | $40,179 | $226,500 | 21.1% | 6.7% |
| Ashland Heights | 1,105 | $57,353 | $219,600 | 10.1% | 30.7% |
| Garretson | 1,176 | $59,741 | $203,800 | 28.2% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Fort Thompson is a small community located in South Dakota, within Buffalo County. The total population is 1,147. It ranks as the 71st most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Thompson is 22.8 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 37.0% of the population under 18, Fort Thompson has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Thompson is $47,159. This is 37% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 41.6%. This is 249% 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 10.5%. This is 257% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $150,000. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 39.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fort Thompson is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 79.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
7.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 86.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Thompson, 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 Fort Thompson, South Dakota?
Fort Thompson, South Dakota has a population of 1,147 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Thompson, SD?
The median household income in Fort Thompson is $47,159, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Thompson, SD?
The poverty rate in Fort Thompson is 41.6%. This means approximately 474 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Thompson, South Dakota?
Fort Thompson's population is 4.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Thompson, SD?
The median home value in Fort Thompson is $150,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Fort Thompson, South Dakota?
7.2% of adults (25+) in Fort Thompson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.