Running Water, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Running Water, South Dakota had a total population of 73, the 342nd largest community in South Dakota. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Running Water Quick Facts
How Running Water 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 | 80 | 73 | -8.8% |
| Median home value | $9,999 | $9,999 | +0.0% |
How Running Water 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+)
Running Water Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Bon Homme County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 2,038 | $55,714 | 7.0% | $118,500 |
| Tyndall | 1,183 | $50,481 | 8.5% | $101,500 |
| Scotland | 851 | $63,250 | 14.0% | $110,700 |
| Avon | 704 | $62,361 | 31.5% | $107,600 |
| Tabor | 369 | $82,813 | 6.0% | $143,800 |
Cities Similar to Running Water
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herrick | 73 | $53,125 | N/A | 8.5% | 0.0% |
| Ortley | 73 | $31,806 | $44,200 | 14.6% | 47.9% |
| Vale | 73 | $40,455 | $50,400 | 21.9% | 6.9% |
| Stockholm | 74 | N/A | $97,000 | 12.5% | 16.2% |
| Bath Corner | 72 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 73, Running Water'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
Running Water is a small community located in South Dakota, within Bon Homme County. The total population is 73. It ranks as the 342nd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Running Water is 76.0 years. This is 100% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 50.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Running Water. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The survey records no unemployed residents in Running Water, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $9,999. Housing costs are 96% lower than the state median of $257,400. 88.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Running Water has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.6% of all residents.
Education
31.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% lower 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 Running Water, 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 Running Water, South Dakota?
Running Water, South Dakota has a population of 73 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Running Water, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Running Water — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Running Water, SD?
The ACS sample for Running Water recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Running Water, South Dakota?
Running Water's population is 98.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Running Water, SD?
The median home value in Running Water is $9,999.
How educated is Running Water, South Dakota?
31.5% of adults (25+) in Running Water hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.