Parkston, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Parkston, South Dakota had a total population of 1,874, the 46th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $70,139, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
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 2.2x.
Parkston Quick Facts
How Parkston 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 | 1,981 | 1,874 | -5.4% |
| Median household income | $71,313 | $70,139 | -1.6% |
| Median home value | $145,500 | $157,100 | +8.0% |
How Parkston 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+)
Parkston Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Hutchinson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeman | 1,565 | $57,440 | 20.9% | $164,200 |
| Menno | 653 | $65,833 | 9.0% | $111,500 |
| Tripp | 574 | $59,167 | 16.3% | $66,300 |
| Tschetter Colony | 148 | N/A | 84.1% | N/A |
| Dimock | 104 | $92,500 | 3.9% | $187,500 |
| Kaylor | 80 | N/A | 6.3% | $75,300 |
| Old Elm Spring Colony | 75 | N/A | 48.8% | N/A |
| Olivet | 63 | $60,417 | 4.8% | N/A |
| New Elm Spring Colony | 37 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Milltown | 4 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Parkston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Spearfish | 1,858 | $76,809 | $356,200 | 28.5% | 23.2% |
| Webster | 1,896 | $55,179 | $154,100 | 20.7% | 15.1% |
| Redfield | 1,989 | $58,229 | $120,200 | 30.6% | 6.0% |
| Mission | 1,539 | N/A | $65,900 | 14.9% | 44.0% |
| Springfield | 2,038 | $55,714 | $118,500 | 9.1% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Parkston is a small community located in South Dakota, within Hutchinson County. The total population is 1,874. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Parkston is 39.4 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Parkston is $70,139. This is 7% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $157,100. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Parkston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Parkston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
25.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 Parkston, 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 Parkston, South Dakota?
Parkston, South Dakota has a population of 1,874 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Parkston, SD?
The median household income in Parkston is $70,139, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Parkston, SD?
The poverty rate in Parkston is 7.5%. This means approximately 136 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Parkston, South Dakota?
Parkston's population is 93.0% White, 0.0% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Parkston, SD?
The median home value in Parkston is $157,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Parkston, South Dakota?
25.5% of adults (25+) in Parkston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.