Pierre, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pierre, South Dakota had a total population of 13,948, the 9th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $77,672, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.2%.
Pierre Quick Facts
How Pierre 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 | 14,008 | 13,948 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $74,053 | $77,672 | +4.9% |
| Median home value | $219,500 | $230,700 | +5.1% |
How Pierre 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+)
Pierre Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Hughes County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oahe Acres | 399 | $78,750 | 6.3% | $277,100 |
| Blunt | 216 | $65,208 | 7.4% | $154,500 |
| Harrold | 72 | $58,750 | 6.9% | $77,500 |
Cities Similar to Pierre
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Elder | 12,902 | $73,008 | $302,100 | 28.1% | 7.5% |
| Huron | 14,385 | $61,452 | $159,000 | 27.0% | 16.1% |
| Spearfish | 12,930 | $65,688 | $346,200 | 41.8% | 15.2% |
| Yankton | 15,540 | $67,804 | $222,700 | 33.2% | 14.1% |
| Mitchell | 15,649 | $58,620 | $192,200 | 23.6% | 12.5% |
Population Overview
Pierre is a small city located in South Dakota, within Hughes County. The total population is 13,948. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pierre is 39.4 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pierre is $77,672. This is 3% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.1%. This is 16% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.2%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $230,700. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 68.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pierre is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.0%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
39.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% higher 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 97.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pierre, 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 Pierre, South Dakota?
Pierre, South Dakota has a population of 13,948 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pierre, SD?
The median household income in Pierre is $77,672, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pierre, SD?
The poverty rate in Pierre is 10.1%. This means approximately 1,315 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pierre, South Dakota?
Pierre's population is 79.7% White, 0.0% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pierre, SD?
The median home value in Pierre is $230,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Pierre, South Dakota?
39.0% of adults (25+) in Pierre hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.