Harrisburg, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harrisburg, South Dakota had a total population of 8,519, the 14th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $108,724, which is 45% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in South Dakota.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.5% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- 43.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Harrisburg Quick Facts
How Harrisburg 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 | 7,790 | 8,519 | +9.4% |
| Median household income | $101,534 | $108,724 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $281,400 | $312,200 | +10.9% |
How Harrisburg 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+)
Harrisburg Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea | 6,786 | $120,139 | 4.7% | $351,100 |
| Canton | 3,033 | $60,850 | 8.1% | $191,400 |
| Lennox | 2,468 | $81,761 | 9.7% | $235,900 |
| Beresford | 2,360 | $78,793 | 5.2% | $234,400 |
| Worthing | 1,036 | $93,162 | 1.8% | $220,200 |
| Shindler | 579 | $146,154 | 0.0% | $617,600 |
| Hudson | 382 | $66,429 | 17.0% | $150,500 |
| Fairview | 102 | $71,719 | 18.6% | $155,400 |
Cities Similar to Harrisburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon | 10,996 | $110,806 | $336,600 | 41.9% | 1.4% |
| Tea | 6,786 | $120,139 | $351,100 | 47.1% | 4.7% |
| Rapid Valley | 6,975 | $83,208 | $255,500 | 19.8% | 4.5% |
| Sturgis | 7,086 | $54,404 | $271,200 | 24.4% | 9.2% |
| Madison | 6,094 | $65,593 | $193,100 | 34.4% | 9.5% |
Population Overview
Harrisburg is a small city located in South Dakota, within Lincoln County. The total population is 8,519. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harrisburg is 31.1 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 34.2% of the population under 18, Harrisburg has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harrisburg is $108,724. This is 45% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 35% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.5%. This is 96% 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 1.0%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $312,200. Housing costs are 21% higher than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Harrisburg is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Harrisburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
43.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Harrisburg in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 37% 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 96.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harrisburg, 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.
Free data download: Get all South Dakota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Harrisburg, South Dakota?
Harrisburg, South Dakota has a population of 8,519 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harrisburg, SD?
The median household income in Harrisburg is $108,724, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harrisburg, SD?
The poverty rate in Harrisburg is 0.5%. This means approximately 43 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harrisburg, South Dakota?
Harrisburg's population is 88.1% White, 0.0% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harrisburg, SD?
The median home value in Harrisburg is $312,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Harrisburg, South Dakota?
43.8% of adults (25+) in Harrisburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.