Howard city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Howard city, South Dakota has a total population of 990, the 81st largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $54,792, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Only 8.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.0%.
Howard city Quick Facts
How Howard city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 33 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Howard city Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Miner County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canova town | 140 | $58,000 | 23.4% | $35,000 |
| Carthage city | 104 | $58,750 | 13.5% | $102,100 |
| Ward town | 54 | $87,788 | 0.0% | $155,800 |
| Vilas town | 16 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Howard city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcester city | 987 | $58,661 | $114,400 | 15.9% | 12.1% |
| Piedmont city | 956 | $52,730 | $290,100 | 19.3% | 9.6% |
| Elkton city | 971 | $58,750 | $183,800 | 23.9% | 27.9% |
| De Smet city | 974 | $60,139 | $155,900 | 23.5% | 5.4% |
| Martin city | 1,054 | $49,609 | $87,300 | 35.1% | 14.7% |
Population Overview
Howard city is a small community located in South Dakota, within Miner County. The total population is 990. It ranks as the 81st most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Howard city is 49.7 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. 17.7% 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 Howard city is $54,792. This is 24% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $93,200. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Howard city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Howard city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.3%.
Education
8.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Howard 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Howard city, South Dakota?
Howard city, South Dakota has a population of 990 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Howard city, SD?
The median household income in Howard city is $54,792, which is 30% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Howard city, SD?
The poverty rate in Howard city is 17.2%. This means approximately 160 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Howard city, South Dakota?
Howard city's population is 93.6% White, 1.8% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Howard city, SD?
The median home value in Howard city is $93,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Howard city, South Dakota?
8.4% of adults (25+) in Howard city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.