Lake Andes city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Lake Andes city is a small community located in South Dakota, within Charles Mix County. The total population is 934. It ranks as the 88th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lake Andes city is 30.1 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. With 36.8% of the population under 18, Lake Andes city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lake Andes city is $45,714. This is 37% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 34.6%. This is 188% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. 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 7.0%. This is 134% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $46,700. Housing costs are 80% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x, Lake Andes city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Andes city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (35.1%) is well below the state average of 80.3%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.9% vs 4.6%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.

Education

23.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% 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 77.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Lake Andes 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.