Lake Preston city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Lake Preston city, South Dakota has a total population of 539, the 142nd largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $60,917, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.4%.
Lake Preston city Quick Facts
How Lake Preston 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+)
Lake Preston city Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Kingsbury County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| De Smet city | 974 | $60,139 | 5.4% | $155,900 |
| Arlington city | 833 | $67,083 | 16.7% | $122,400 |
| Iroquois city | 425 | $60,750 | 1.7% | $138,500 |
| Badger town | 164 | $68,571 | 4.9% | $72,000 |
| Oldham city | 98 | $29,643 | 19.4% | $62,000 |
| Erwin town | 50 | $53,750 | 6.0% | $45,000 |
| Bancroft town | 34 | $133,750 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Hetland town | 10 | $45,625 | 0.0% | $65,000 |
Cities Similar to Lake Preston city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irene city | 521 | $59,091 | $87,100 | 15.9% | 15.0% |
| New Underwood city | 538 | $54,167 | $188,700 | 11.8% | 23.5% |
| Tripp city | 563 | $57,727 | $68,000 | 21.0% | 13.9% |
| Herreid city | 549 | $68,611 | $87,400 | 28.5% | 2.4% |
| McLaughlin city | 567 | $66,607 | $60,200 | 28.2% | 20.3% |
Population Overview
Lake Preston city is a small community located in South Dakota, within Kingsbury County. The total population is 539. It ranks as the 142nd most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Preston city is 50.0 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. Only 14.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 13.0% 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 Lake Preston city is $60,917. This is 16% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 0.4%. This is 87% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $139,100. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Lake Preston city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Preston city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.1% vs 4.6%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 87.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Preston 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 Lake Preston city, South Dakota?
Lake Preston city, South Dakota has a population of 539 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Preston city, SD?
The median household income in Lake Preston city is $60,917, which is 22% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Preston city, SD?
The poverty rate in Lake Preston city is 13.7%. This means approximately 74 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Preston city, South Dakota?
Lake Preston city's population is 78.1% White, 0.0% Black, 11.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Preston city, SD?
The median home value in Lake Preston city is $139,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Lake Preston city, South Dakota?
13.6% of adults (25+) in Lake Preston city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.