Reliance town, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Reliance town is a small community located in South Dakota, within Lyman County. The total population is 196. It ranks as the 237th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Reliance town is 25.8 years. This is 32% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, Reliance town has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 10.2% 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 Reliance town is $53,594. This is 26% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 4.1%. This is 66% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $90,000. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Reliance town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 90.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 68.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Reliance town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.0% of the population.

Education

36.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Reliance town, South Dakota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.