Selby, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Selby, South Dakota had a total population of 702, the 119th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $49,205, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Selby Quick Facts
How Selby 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 | 642 | 702 | +9.3% |
| Median household income | $40,882 | $49,205 | +20.4% |
| Median home value | $104,800 | $105,700 | +0.9% |
How Selby 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+)
Selby Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Walworth County
Cities Similar to Selby
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burke | 708 | $52,500 | $150,000 | 21.1% | 8.1% |
| Wessington Springs | 727 | $47,321 | $111,300 | 23.6% | 9.5% |
| Wolsey | 692 | $57,500 | $101,200 | 24.5% | 6.4% |
| Corsica | 699 | $59,250 | $162,500 | 27.7% | 8.2% |
| Allen | 783 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 37.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 702, Selby'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
Selby is a small community located in South Dakota, within Walworth County. The total population is 702. It ranks as the 119th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Selby is 42.7 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 19.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Selby is $49,205. This is 34% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.3%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 117% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $105,700. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Selby is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Selby is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%.
Education
14.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 79.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Selby, 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.
Free data download: Get all South Dakota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Selby, South Dakota?
Selby, South Dakota has a population of 702 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Selby, SD?
The median household income in Selby is $49,205, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Selby, SD?
The poverty rate in Selby is 8.3%. This means approximately 50 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Selby, South Dakota?
Selby's population is 83.8% White, 2.6% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Selby, SD?
The median home value in Selby is $105,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Selby, South Dakota?
14.6% of adults (25+) in Selby hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.