Oacoma, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oacoma, South Dakota had a total population of 548, the 144th largest town in South Dakota, with a median household income of $73,333, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
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 2.3x.
Oacoma Quick Facts
How Oacoma 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 | 505 | 548 | +8.5% |
| Median household income | $70,250 | $73,333 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $165,800 | $171,700 | +3.6% |
How Oacoma 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+)
Oacoma Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Lyman County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Brule | 743 | $28,750 | 55.8% | $21,900 |
| West Brule | 471 | $37,917 | 50.3% | N/A |
| Presho | 313 | $63,393 | 0.0% | $162,500 |
| Kennebec | 296 | $74,896 | 6.1% | $155,700 |
| Reliance | 211 | $55,313 | 3.8% | $123,200 |
| Vivian | 50 | $61,528 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Oacoma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanblee | 534 | N/A | N/A | 7.9% | 53.4% |
| Herreid | 560 | $72,250 | $122,900 | 41.5% | 3.4% |
| Ramona | 538 | $78,750 | $85,800 | 13.7% | 26.2% |
| Emery | 539 | $67,321 | $152,400 | 25.3% | 6.7% |
| Parmelee | 584 | N/A | N/A | 9.3% | 84.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 548, Oacoma'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
Oacoma is a small community located in South Dakota, within Lyman County. The total population is 548. It ranks as the 144th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oacoma is 40.2 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 10.4% 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 Oacoma is $73,333. This is 2% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 54% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 127% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $171,700. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Oacoma is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oacoma has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 93.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oacoma, 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 Oacoma, South Dakota?
Oacoma, South Dakota has a population of 548 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oacoma, SD?
The median household income in Oacoma is $73,333, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oacoma, SD?
The poverty rate in Oacoma is 5.5%. This means approximately 30 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oacoma, South Dakota?
Oacoma's population is 95.8% White, 0.0% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oacoma, SD?
The median home value in Oacoma is $171,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Oacoma, South Dakota?
18.8% of adults (25+) in Oacoma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.