South Shore, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Shore, South Dakota had a total population of 183, the 244th largest town in South Dakota, with a median household income of $56,944, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
South Shore Quick Facts
How South Shore 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 | 232 | 183 | -21.1% |
| Median household income | $56,667 | $56,944 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $82,800 | $86,800 | +4.8% |
How South Shore 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+)
South Shore Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Codington County
Cities Similar to South Shore
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hecla | 182 | N/A | $47,100 | 7.2% | 2.8% |
| Wessington | 192 | $58,125 | $102,100 | 22.5% | 21.3% |
| Okreek | 195 | N/A | N/A | 22.6% | 66.1% |
| Tulare | 175 | $60,833 | $84,300 | 27.0% | 19.4% |
| Egan | 194 | $63,482 | $114,300 | 29.7% | 10.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 183, South Shore'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
South Shore is a small community located in South Dakota, within Codington County. The total population is 183. It ranks as the 244th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Shore is 54.8 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Shore is $56,944. This is 24% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in South Shore, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $86,800. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, South Shore is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 86.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
South Shore has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.9% of all residents.
Education
13.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Shore, 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 South Shore, South Dakota?
South Shore, South Dakota has a population of 183 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Shore, SD?
The median household income in South Shore is $56,944, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Shore, SD?
The poverty rate in South Shore is 20.0%. This means approximately 36 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Shore, South Dakota?
South Shore's population is 98.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Shore, SD?
The median home value in South Shore is $86,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is South Shore, South Dakota?
13.8% of adults (25+) in South Shore hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.