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Hot Springs city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 27.9% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Hot Springs city, South Dakota has a total population of 3,506, the 23rd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $49,688, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.9%.

Key Takeaways

Hot Springs city Quick Facts

Population 3,506
Median Household Income $49,688
Median Home Value $168,200
Poverty Rate 27.9%
Unemployment Rate 3.5%
Median Age 59.3 years
Homeownership Rate 65.1%
Affordability Ratio 3.4x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 18.2%
High School Graduation Rate 87.4%
Diversity Index 29/100
Population 3,506 23rd of 439
Median Income $49,688 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 27.9% 124% higher national
Median Home Value $168,200 top 30%

How Hot Springs city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.5% Unemployment Rate State: 3.0% | National: 5.2%
47.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 65.1%
Renter 34.9%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.4x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

29out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 33 | National average: 60

Education

Hot Springs city Rankings in South Dakota

#23 Population of 439
#258 Median Income of 439
#220 Education of 439
#92 Home Value of 439

Other Cities in Fall River County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Edgemont city 845 $42,440 25.8% $81,100
Oelrichs town 187 $72,212 15.5% $75,000

Cities Similar to Hot Springs city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Milbank city3,513$58,462$161,30034.3%13.6%
Winner city2,900$47,132$124,00017.2%24.8%
Lead city2,997$57,348$192,80019.8%7.3%
Canton city3,060$65,500$191,00019.5%6.6%
Mobridge city2,928$61,556$122,00031.5%20.2%

Population Overview

Hot Springs city is a small community located in South Dakota, within Fall River County. The total population is 3,506. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hot Springs city is 59.3 years. This is 57% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.2% 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 Hot Springs city is $49,688. This is 31% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.9%. This is 132% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $168,200. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $236,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 68.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Hot Springs city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.

Education

18.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Hot Springs city, South Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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 Hot Springs city, South Dakota?

Hot Springs city, South Dakota has a population of 3,506 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Hot Springs city, SD?

The median household income in Hot Springs city is $49,688, which is 37% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Hot Springs city, SD?

The poverty rate in Hot Springs city is 27.9%. This means approximately 911 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Hot Springs city, South Dakota?

Hot Springs city's population is 81.3% White, 0.0% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in Hot Springs city, SD?

The median home value in Hot Springs city is $168,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.

How educated is Hot Springs city, South Dakota?

18.2% of adults (25+) in Hot Springs city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.