Letcher, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Letcher, South Dakota had a total population of 171, the 250th largest town in South Dakota, with a median household income of $81,042, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Letcher Quick Facts
How Letcher 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 | 184 | 171 | -7.1% |
| Median household income | $67,500 | $81,042 | +20.1% |
| Median home value | $88,000 | $102,100 | +16.0% |
How Letcher 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+)
Letcher Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Sanborn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woonsocket | 759 | $56,765 | 7.0% | $80,800 |
| Artesian | 148 | $61,806 | 8.1% | $87,500 |
| Forestburg | 113 | $125,083 | 10.6% | N/A |
| Upland Colony | 30 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Letcher
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horse Creek | 162 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 96.9% |
| Hecla | 182 | N/A | $47,100 | 7.2% | 2.8% |
| Kranzburg | 175 | $74,375 | $156,600 | 13.3% | 8.6% |
| Frederick | 160 | $76,667 | $85,000 | 28.9% | 11.3% |
| Pierpont | 161 | $92,500 | $75,000 | 21.9% | 13.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 171, Letcher'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
Letcher is a small community located in South Dakota, within Sanborn County. The total population is 171. It ranks as the 250th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Letcher is 38.4 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. With 29.2% of the population under 18, Letcher has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Letcher is $81,042. This is 8% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.0%. This is 101% 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 2.1%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $102,100. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Letcher is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Letcher has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%.
Education
17.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 88.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Letcher, 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 Letcher, South Dakota?
Letcher, South Dakota has a population of 171 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Letcher, SD?
The median household income in Letcher is $81,042, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Letcher, SD?
The poverty rate in Letcher is 24.0%. This means approximately 41 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Letcher, South Dakota?
Letcher's population is 89.5% White, 0.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Letcher, SD?
The median home value in Letcher is $102,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Letcher, South Dakota?
17.9% of adults (25+) in Letcher hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.