Hecla, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hecla, South Dakota had a total population of 182, the 246th largest city in South Dakota. The poverty rate is 2.8%.
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 2.8% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- Only 7.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Hecla Quick Facts
How Hecla 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 | 204 | 182 | -10.8% |
| Median home value | $47,100 | $47,100 | +0.0% |
How Hecla 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+)
Hecla 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 |
| Groton | 1,691 | $89,861 | 4.3% | $190,600 |
| Warner | 512 | $113,750 | 0.4% | $268,100 |
| Prairiewood Village | 474 | $160,625 | 0.0% | $476,700 |
| 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 Hecla
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delmont | 183 | $42,000 | $86,700 | 12.5% | 18.0% |
| South Shore | 183 | $56,944 | $86,800 | 13.8% | 20.0% |
| Cavour | 186 | $90,000 | $97,100 | 5.9% | 15.0% |
| Kranzburg | 175 | $74,375 | $156,600 | 13.3% | 8.6% |
| Tulare | 175 | $60,833 | $84,300 | 27.0% | 19.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 182, Hecla's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Hecla is a small community located in South Dakota, within Brown County. The total population is 182. It ranks as the 246th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hecla is 66.0 years. This is 74% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. Only 3.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 2.8%. This is 77% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Hecla, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $47,100. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $257,400. 93.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hecla is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.6% of the population. Asian residents account for 10.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (10.4% vs 1.4%).
Education
7.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hecla, 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 Hecla, South Dakota?
Hecla, South Dakota has a population of 182 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hecla, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Hecla — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hecla, SD?
The poverty rate in Hecla is 2.8%. This means approximately 5 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hecla, South Dakota?
Hecla's population is 84.6% White, 0.0% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 10.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hecla, SD?
The median home value in Hecla is $47,100.
How educated is Hecla, South Dakota?
7.2% of adults (25+) in Hecla hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.