Ideal, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ideal, South Dakota had a total population of 40, the 382nd largest community in South Dakota. The poverty rate is 32.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Ideal Quick Facts
How Ideal 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 | 39 | 40 | +2.6% |
How Ideal 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+)
Ideal Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Tripp County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 2,905 | $47,381 | 28.2% | $106,100 |
| Colome | 338 | $51,000 | 28.9% | $62,300 |
| New Witten | 76 | $38,603 | 25.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ideal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake City | 40 | $41,563 | $109,400 | 37.8% | 0.0% |
| Nunda | 40 | N/A | $118,800 | 25.0% | 27.5% |
| St. Onge | 40 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Wood | 40 | $43,077 | $9,999 | 15.0% | 32.5% |
| Camp Crook | 41 | $39,167 | $66,300 | 17.1% | 17.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 40, Ideal'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
Ideal is a small community located in South Dakota, within Tripp County. The total population is 40. It ranks as the 382nd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ideal is 49.5 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 17.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 32.5%. This is 172% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Ideal, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 43.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 66.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ideal, 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 Ideal, South Dakota?
Ideal, South Dakota has a population of 40 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ideal, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Ideal — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ideal, SD?
The poverty rate in Ideal is 32.5%. This means approximately 13 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ideal, South Dakota?
Ideal's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ideal, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Ideal — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Ideal, South Dakota?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Ideal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.