Oglala, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oglala, South Dakota had a total population of 1,071, the 73rd largest community in South Dakota, with a median household income of $21,330, which is 72% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 68.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 72% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (68.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 26.5% is notably above the national average.
Oglala Quick Facts
How Oglala 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 | 1,601 | 1,071 | -33.1% |
| Median household income | $43,274 | $21,330 | -50.7% |
How Oglala 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+)
Oglala Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Oglala Lakota County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Ridge | 2,246 | $53,060 | 14.5% | N/A |
| Manderson-White Horse Creek | 833 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Kyle | 667 | $36,250 | 35.0% | $9,999 |
| Wounded Knee | 524 | $2,499 | 100.0% | N/A |
| Porcupine | 424 | N/A | 79.7% | N/A |
| Batesland | 89 | N/A | 34.8% | $51,900 |
Cities Similar to Oglala
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manderson-White Horse Creek | 833 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Allen | 783 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 37.5% |
| Mission | 1,539 | N/A | $65,900 | 14.9% | 44.0% |
| Antelope | 706 | $20,786 | N/A | 22.4% | 72.2% |
| Deadwood | 1,209 | $40,179 | $226,500 | 21.1% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Oglala is a small community located in South Dakota, within Oglala Lakota County. The total population is 1,071. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oglala is 28.8 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 29.2% of the population under 18, Oglala has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oglala is $21,330. This is 72% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 74% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 68.8%. This is 477% 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 26.5%. This is 803% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. 52.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oglala is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 79.8%.
Education
16.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 86.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oglala, 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 Oglala, South Dakota?
Oglala, South Dakota has a population of 1,071 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oglala, SD?
The median household income in Oglala is $21,330, which is 74% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oglala, SD?
The poverty rate in Oglala is 68.8%. This means approximately 733 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oglala, South Dakota?
Oglala's population is 2.3% White, 0.0% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oglala, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Oglala — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Oglala, South Dakota?
16.8% of adults (25+) in Oglala hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.