Groton, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Groton, South Dakota had a total population of 1,691, the 48th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $89,861, which is 20% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.3% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
Groton Quick Facts
How Groton 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 | 1,794 | 1,691 | -5.7% |
| Median household income | $82,083 | $89,861 | +9.5% |
| Median home value | $173,000 | $190,600 | +10.2% |
How Groton 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+)
Groton Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Brown County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | 28,189 | $64,405 | 13.8% | $217,300 |
| Warner | 512 | $113,750 | 0.4% | $268,100 |
| Prairiewood Village | 474 | $160,625 | 0.0% | $476,700 |
| Hecla | 182 | N/A | 2.8% | $47,100 |
| Columbia | 161 | $58,295 | 4.3% | $96,500 |
| Frederick | 160 | $76,667 | 11.3% | $85,000 |
| Claremont | 106 | $46,250 | 9.4% | N/A |
| Westport | 93 | $58,942 | 0.0% | $101,700 |
| Bath | 91 | $33,750 | 48.4% | N/A |
| Bath Corner | 72 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Groton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Valley | 1,642 | $81,582 | $280,300 | 11.6% | 1.0% |
| Mission | 1,539 | N/A | $65,900 | 14.9% | 44.0% |
| North Spearfish | 1,858 | $76,809 | $356,200 | 28.5% | 23.2% |
| Aurora | 1,444 | $95,952 | $234,600 | 42.8% | 2.7% |
| Baltic | 1,502 | $107,768 | $254,200 | 24.7% | 1.2% |
Population Overview
Groton is a small community located in South Dakota, within Brown County. The total population is 1,691. It ranks as the 48th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Groton is 33.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 30.6% of the population under 18, Groton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Groton is $89,861. This is 20% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.3%. This is 64% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $190,600. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Groton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Groton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.1% vs 1.4%).
Education
35.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% higher 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Groton, 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 Groton, South Dakota?
Groton, South Dakota has a population of 1,691 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Groton, SD?
The median household income in Groton is $89,861, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Groton, SD?
The poverty rate in Groton is 4.3%. This means approximately 72 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Groton, South Dakota?
Groton's population is 90.0% White, 0.0% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Groton, SD?
The median home value in Groton is $190,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Groton, South Dakota?
35.5% of adults (25+) in Groton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.