Irene, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Irene, South Dakota had a total population of 456, the 160th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $66,563, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.7%.
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 3.7% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
Irene Quick Facts
How Irene 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 | 521 | 456 | -12.5% |
| Median household income | $59,091 | $66,563 | +12.6% |
| Median home value | $87,100 | $87,300 | +0.2% |
How Irene 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+)
Irene Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Yankton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yankton | 15,540 | $67,804 | 14.1% | $222,700 |
| Gayville | 519 | $79,375 | 4.0% | $99,300 |
| Mission Hill | 200 | $71,250 | 5.5% | $104,200 |
| Volin | 139 | $112,557 | 2.9% | $115,600 |
| Jamesville Colony | 101 | N/A | 37.1% | N/A |
| Lesterville | 91 | $56,250 | 7.7% | $70,800 |
| Utica | 68 | $51,000 | 4.4% | $52,500 |
Cities Similar to Irene
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veblen | 455 | $64,167 | $43,700 | 26.5% | 14.1% |
| Bowdle | 475 | $63,750 | $112,500 | 26.0% | 8.4% |
| White | 484 | $67,639 | $128,800 | 22.5% | 4.1% |
| Porcupine | 424 | N/A | N/A | 13.2% | 79.7% |
| Rosholt | 428 | $64,861 | $116,400 | 16.9% | 13.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 456, Irene'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
Irene is a small community located in South Dakota, within Yankton County. The total population is 456. It ranks as the 160th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Irene is 38.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.0 years. 13.2% 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 Irene is $66,563. This is 11% 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 3.7%. This is 69% 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 Irene, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $87,300. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Irene is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Irene has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 85.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Irene, 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 Irene, South Dakota?
Irene, South Dakota has a population of 456 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Irene, SD?
The median household income in Irene is $66,563, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Irene, SD?
The poverty rate in Irene is 3.7%. This means approximately 15 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Irene, South Dakota?
Irene's population is 87.3% White, 1.1% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Irene, SD?
The median home value in Irene is $87,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Irene, South Dakota?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Irene hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.