Freeman, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Freeman is a small community located in South Dakota, within Hutchinson County. The total population is 1,565. It ranks as the 51st most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Freeman is 37.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.0 years. With 32.5% of the population under 18, Freeman has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Freeman is $57,440. This is 23% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 75% 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 2.5%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $164,200. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Freeman is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 68.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Freeman is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.7%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.7% vs 4.8%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.

Education

19.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 91.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Freeman, 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.