Hot Springs, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hot Springs, South Dakota had a total population of 3,548, the 22nd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $66,338, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Hot Springs Quick Facts
How Hot Springs 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 | 3,506 | 3,548 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $49,688 | $66,338 | +33.5% |
| Median home value | $168,200 | $202,600 | +20.5% |
How Hot Springs 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+)
Hot Springs Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Fall River County
Cities Similar to Hot Springs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milbank | 3,525 | $56,011 | $155,000 | 31.2% | 13.2% |
| North Sioux City | 3,045 | $71,908 | $269,800 | 25.8% | 11.0% |
| Mobridge | 2,932 | $65,357 | $136,800 | 29.4% | 18.3% |
| Canton | 3,033 | $60,850 | $191,400 | 16.9% | 8.1% |
| Lead | 3,006 | $73,047 | $189,400 | 20.5% | 7.5% |
Population Overview
Hot Springs is a small community located in South Dakota, within Fall River County. The total population is 3,548. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hot Springs is 59.4 years. This is 56% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. Only 12.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.7% 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 is $66,338. This is 12% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.1%. This is 77% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. 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 1.8%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $202,600. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 62.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hot Springs is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 4.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.0% vs 1.4%).
Education
28.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs, South Dakota?
Hot Springs, South Dakota has a population of 3,548 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hot Springs, SD?
The median household income in Hot Springs is $66,338, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hot Springs, SD?
The poverty rate in Hot Springs is 21.1%. This means approximately 697 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hot Springs, South Dakota?
Hot Springs's population is 79.7% White, 0.0% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hot Springs, SD?
The median home value in Hot Springs is $202,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Hot Springs, South Dakota?
28.9% of adults (25+) in Hot Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.