Lead, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lead, South Dakota had a total population of 3,006, the 28th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $73,047, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Lead Quick Facts
How Lead 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 | 2,997 | 3,006 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $57,348 | $73,047 | +27.4% |
| Median home value | $192,800 | $189,400 | -1.8% |
How Lead 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+)
Lead Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Lawrence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spearfish | 12,930 | $65,688 | 15.2% | $346,200 |
| North Spearfish | 1,858 | $76,809 | 23.2% | $356,200 |
| Deadwood | 1,209 | $40,179 | 6.7% | $226,500 |
| Whitewood | 912 | $77,500 | 2.0% | $243,300 |
| Boulder Canyon | 841 | $74,281 | 1.1% | $597,800 |
| Mountain Plains | 350 | $248,558 | 0.0% | $613,200 |
| Crook City | 279 | $139,926 | 0.0% | $463,300 |
| Central City | 140 | $47,000 | 3.6% | $208,300 |
| St. Onge | 40 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Lead
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Sioux City | 3,045 | $71,908 | $269,800 | 25.8% | 11.0% |
| Blackhawk | 2,934 | $71,993 | $273,300 | 16.4% | 1.8% |
| Mobridge | 2,932 | $65,357 | $136,800 | 29.4% | 18.3% |
| Canton | 3,033 | $60,850 | $191,400 | 16.9% | 8.1% |
| Chamberlain | 2,588 | $76,761 | $224,300 | 33.3% | 12.1% |
Population Overview
Lead is a small community located in South Dakota, within Lawrence County. The total population is 3,006. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lead is 46.5 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. Only 14.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 13.1% 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 Lead is $73,047. This is 3% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Lead, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $189,400. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Lead is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lead has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.4%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
20.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lead, 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 Lead, South Dakota?
Lead, South Dakota has a population of 3,006 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lead, SD?
The median household income in Lead is $73,047, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lead, SD?
The poverty rate in Lead is 7.5%. This means approximately 222 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lead, South Dakota?
Lead's population is 91.8% White, 0.2% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lead, SD?
The median home value in Lead is $189,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Lead, South Dakota?
20.5% of adults (25+) in Lead hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.