Lake Preston, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lake Preston, South Dakota had a total population of 596, the 134th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $52,396, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.4%.
Lake Preston Quick Facts
How Lake Preston 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 | 539 | 596 | +10.6% |
| Median household income | $60,917 | $52,396 | -14.0% |
| Median home value | $139,100 | $130,000 | -6.5% |
How Lake Preston 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+)
Lake Preston Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Kingsbury County
Cities Similar to Lake Preston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parmelee | 584 | N/A | N/A | 9.3% | 84.9% |
| Philip | 571 | $56,635 | $182,100 | 15.9% | 15.6% |
| Dupree | 557 | $53,958 | $66,200 | 10.2% | 27.5% |
| Tripp | 574 | $59,167 | $66,300 | 20.0% | 16.3% |
| Wall | 622 | $58,984 | $164,800 | 25.4% | 8.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 596, Lake Preston'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
Lake Preston is a small community located in South Dakota, within Kingsbury County. The total population is 596. It ranks as the 134th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lake Preston is 49.3 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 15.4% 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 is $52,396. This is 30% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.0%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 0.4%. This is 87% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $130,000. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Lake Preston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lake Preston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
13.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 85.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lake Preston, 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 Lake Preston, South Dakota?
Lake Preston, South Dakota has a population of 596 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lake Preston, SD?
The median household income in Lake Preston is $52,396, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lake Preston, SD?
The poverty rate in Lake Preston is 17.0%. This means approximately 97 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lake Preston, South Dakota?
Lake Preston's population is 77.5% White, 0.0% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lake Preston, SD?
The median home value in Lake Preston is $130,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Lake Preston, South Dakota?
13.7% of adults (25+) in Lake Preston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.