Onaka, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Onaka, South Dakota had a total population of 25, the 402nd largest town in South Dakota. The poverty rate is 100.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (100.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 45.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
Onaka Quick Facts
How Onaka 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 | 23 | 25 | +8.7% |
How Onaka 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+)
Onaka Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Faulk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkton | 670 | $63,750 | 13.4% | $99,600 |
| Cresbard | 122 | $41,875 | 4.1% | N/A |
| Orient | 91 | $40,556 | 20.9% | $49,300 |
| Chelsea | 61 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Brentwood Colony | 57 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Evergreen Colony | 55 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Rockham | 37 | $137,083 | 0.0% | $88,300 |
| Seneca | 22 | N/A | 27.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Onaka
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithwick | 25 | N/A | N/A | 33.3% | 0.0% |
| Caputa | 27 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Rockport Colony | 23 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Lane | 28 | $98,333 | N/A | 8.7% | 0.0% |
| Crocker | 22 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 25, Onaka'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
Onaka is a small community located in South Dakota, within Faulk County. The total population is 25. It ranks as the 402nd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Onaka is 13.5 years. This is 64% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 56.0% of the population under 18, Onaka has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 100.0%. This is 738% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Onaka, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Onaka was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
45.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Onaka in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Onaka, 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 Onaka, South Dakota?
Onaka, South Dakota has a population of 25 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Onaka, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Onaka — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Onaka, SD?
The poverty rate in Onaka is 100.0%. This means approximately 25 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Onaka, South Dakota?
Onaka's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Onaka, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Onaka — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Onaka, South Dakota?
45.5% of adults (25+) in Onaka hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.