Garretson, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Garretson, South Dakota had a total population of 1,176, the 69th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $59,741, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Garretson Quick Facts
How Garretson 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 | 1,166 | 1,176 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $66,375 | $59,741 | -10.0% |
| Median home value | $197,400 | $203,800 | +3.2% |
How Garretson 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+)
Garretson Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Minnehaha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 201,469 | $75,970 | 9.6% | $292,400 |
| Brandon | 10,996 | $110,806 | 1.4% | $336,600 |
| Dell Rapids | 3,905 | $100,170 | 9.4% | $301,700 |
| Hartford | 3,478 | $99,893 | 5.5% | $257,700 |
| Baltic | 1,502 | $107,768 | 1.2% | $254,200 |
| Crooks | 1,268 | $98,984 | 0.5% | $295,400 |
| Valley Springs | 996 | $107,222 | 8.8% | $192,600 |
| Meadow View Addition | 879 | $99,760 | 2.5% | $250,600 |
| Colton | 736 | $83,750 | 14.3% | $192,900 |
| Humboldt | 732 | $95,469 | 0.5% | $227,700 |
Cities Similar to Garretson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland Heights | 1,105 | $57,353 | $219,600 | 10.1% | 30.7% |
| Tyndall | 1,183 | $50,481 | $101,500 | 27.9% | 8.5% |
| Gettysburg | 1,260 | $63,929 | $125,000 | 28.3% | 4.8% |
| Platte | 1,161 | $72,700 | $179,200 | 22.4% | 14.7% |
| Lemmon | 1,208 | $50,147 | $86,200 | 22.9% | 22.0% |
Population Overview
Garretson is a small community located in South Dakota, within Minnehaha County. The total population is 1,176. It ranks as the 69th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Garretson is 48.5 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 11.7% 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 Garretson is $59,741. This is 20% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 119% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $203,800. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 62.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Garretson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.7%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
28.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% 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 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Garretson, 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 Garretson, South Dakota?
Garretson, South Dakota has a population of 1,176 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Garretson, SD?
The median household income in Garretson is $59,741, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Garretson, SD?
The poverty rate in Garretson is 5.3%. This means approximately 60 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Garretson, South Dakota?
Garretson's population is 84.6% White, 0.3% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Garretson, SD?
The median home value in Garretson is $203,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Garretson, South Dakota?
28.2% of adults (25+) in Garretson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.