Jefferson, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jefferson, South Dakota had a total population of 554, the 143rd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $82,888, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
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 4.9% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.9% is notably above the national average.
Jefferson Quick Facts
How Jefferson 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 | 717 | 554 | -22.7% |
| Median household income | $81,149 | $82,888 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $177,900 | $179,400 | +0.8% |
How Jefferson 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+)
Jefferson Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Dunes | 3,936 | $136,125 | 2.4% | $565,600 |
| North Sioux City | 3,045 | $71,908 | 11.0% | $269,800 |
| Elk Point | 2,537 | $90,473 | 8.5% | $248,500 |
| Alcester | 989 | $57,000 | 12.4% | $125,800 |
| Richland | 107 | $130,417 | 0.0% | $208,300 |
Cities Similar to Jefferson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanblee | 534 | N/A | N/A | 7.9% | 53.4% |
| Parmelee | 584 | N/A | N/A | 9.3% | 84.9% |
| Ramona | 538 | $78,750 | $85,800 | 13.7% | 26.2% |
| Oacoma | 548 | $73,333 | $171,700 | 18.8% | 5.5% |
| Herreid | 560 | $72,250 | $122,900 | 41.5% | 3.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 554, Jefferson'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
Jefferson is a small community located in South Dakota, within Union County. The total population is 554. It ranks as the 143rd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jefferson is 40.6 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jefferson is $82,888. This is 10% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 3% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 59% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 9.9%. This is 238% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $179,400. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Jefferson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 91.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Jefferson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.6% vs 4.8%).
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, South Dakota?
Jefferson, South Dakota has a population of 554 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jefferson, SD?
The median household income in Jefferson is $82,888, which is 3% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jefferson, SD?
The poverty rate in Jefferson is 4.9%. This means approximately 27 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jefferson, South Dakota?
Jefferson's population is 87.9% White, 0.0% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jefferson, SD?
The median home value in Jefferson is $179,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Jefferson, South Dakota?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Jefferson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.