Lemmon, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lemmon, South Dakota had a total population of 1,208, the 67th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $50,147, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Lemmon Quick Facts
How Lemmon 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 | 1,214 | 1,208 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $42,461 | $50,147 | +18.1% |
| Median home value | $79,700 | $86,200 | +8.2% |
How Lemmon 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+)
Lemmon Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Perkins County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison | 406 | $71,607 | 4.9% | $82,000 |
| Prairie City | 20 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Lemmon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyndall | 1,183 | $50,481 | $101,500 | 27.9% | 8.5% |
| Fort Thompson | 1,147 | $47,159 | $150,000 | 7.2% | 41.6% |
| Deadwood | 1,209 | $40,179 | $226,500 | 21.1% | 6.7% |
| Garretson | 1,176 | $59,741 | $203,800 | 28.2% | 5.3% |
| Gregory | 1,379 | $51,450 | $115,300 | 18.6% | 7.3% |
Population Overview
Lemmon is a small community located in South Dakota, within Perkins County. The total population is 1,208. It ranks as the 67th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lemmon is 45.9 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 17.5% 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 Lemmon is $50,147. This is 33% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.0%. This is 84% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. 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 5.1%. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $86,200. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Lemmon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lemmon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
22.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lemmon, 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 Lemmon, South Dakota?
Lemmon, South Dakota has a population of 1,208 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lemmon, SD?
The median household income in Lemmon is $50,147, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lemmon, SD?
The poverty rate in Lemmon is 22.0%. This means approximately 256 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lemmon, South Dakota?
Lemmon's population is 92.0% White, 0.0% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lemmon, SD?
The median home value in Lemmon is $86,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Lemmon, South Dakota?
22.9% of adults (25+) in Lemmon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.