Hartford, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hartford, South Dakota had a total population of 3,478, the 24th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $99,893, which is 33% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in South Dakota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.9%.
Hartford Quick Facts
How Hartford 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 | 3,412 | 3,478 | +1.9% |
| Median household income | $95,426 | $99,893 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $223,400 | $257,700 | +15.4% |
How Hartford 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+)
Hartford 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 |
| Baltic | 1,502 | $107,768 | 1.2% | $254,200 |
| Crooks | 1,268 | $98,984 | 0.5% | $295,400 |
| Garretson | 1,176 | $59,741 | 5.3% | $203,800 |
| 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 Hartford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Rapids | 3,905 | $100,170 | $301,700 | 38.9% | 9.4% |
| Hot Springs | 3,548 | $66,338 | $202,600 | 28.9% | 21.1% |
| Summerset | 3,022 | $119,271 | $368,300 | 38.4% | 8.6% |
| Dakota Dunes | 3,936 | $136,125 | $565,600 | 59.8% | 2.4% |
| Colonial Pine Hills | 2,609 | $98,696 | $406,500 | 30.4% | 0.2% |
Population Overview
Hartford is a small community located in South Dakota, within Minnehaha County. The total population is 3,478. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hartford is 39.5 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hartford is $99,893. This is 33% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 24% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 54% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 0.9%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $257,700. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Hartford is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hartford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
34.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 98.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hartford, 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 Hartford, South Dakota?
Hartford, South Dakota has a population of 3,478 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hartford, SD?
The median household income in Hartford is $99,893, which is 24% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hartford, SD?
The poverty rate in Hartford is 5.5%. This means approximately 190 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hartford, South Dakota?
Hartford's population is 91.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hartford, SD?
The median home value in Hartford is $257,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Hartford, South Dakota?
34.3% of adults (25+) in Hartford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.