Reliance, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Reliance, South Dakota had a total population of 211, the 229th largest town in South Dakota, with a median household income of $55,313, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.8% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- 42.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Reliance Quick Facts
How Reliance 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 | 196 | 211 | +7.7% |
| Median household income | $53,594 | $55,313 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $90,000 | $123,200 | +36.9% |
How Reliance 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+)
Reliance Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Lyman County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Brule | 743 | $28,750 | 55.8% | $21,900 |
| Oacoma | 548 | $73,333 | 5.5% | $171,700 |
| West Brule | 471 | $37,917 | 50.3% | N/A |
| Presho | 313 | $63,393 | 0.0% | $162,500 |
| Kennebec | 296 | $74,896 | 6.1% | $155,700 |
| Vivian | 50 | $61,528 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Reliance
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek Colony | 209 | N/A | N/A | 28.9% | 60.9% |
| Pringle | 206 | N/A | N/A | 9.4% | 4.4% |
| Sinai | 215 | $56,875 | $89,300 | 22.6% | 1.9% |
| Ashton | 204 | $54,712 | $60,800 | 19.6% | 14.7% |
| Eden | 221 | N/A | N/A | 43.6% | 1.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 211, Reliance'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
Reliance is a small community located in South Dakota, within Lyman County. The total population is 211. It ranks as the 229th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Reliance is 25.4 years. This is 33% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Reliance is $55,313. This is 26% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.8%. This is 68% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Reliance, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $123,200. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Reliance is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 91.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Reliance is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.8% of the population.
Education
42.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Reliance in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 34% 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 95.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Reliance, 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 Reliance, South Dakota?
Reliance, South Dakota has a population of 211 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Reliance, SD?
The median household income in Reliance is $55,313, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Reliance, SD?
The poverty rate in Reliance is 3.8%. This means approximately 8 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Reliance, South Dakota?
Reliance's population is 75.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Reliance, SD?
The median home value in Reliance is $123,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Reliance, South Dakota?
42.7% of adults (25+) in Reliance hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.