Spearfish city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Spearfish city, South Dakota has a total population of 12,551, the 10th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $59,731, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.2%.
Key Takeaways
- 43.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
Spearfish city Quick Facts
How Spearfish city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 33 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Spearfish city Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Lawrence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead city | 2,997 | $57,348 | 7.3% | $192,800 |
| Deadwood city | 1,319 | $52,679 | 2.8% | $227,000 |
| Whitewood city | 746 | $67,250 | 7.3% | $214,200 |
| Central City city | 122 | $45,208 | 5.7% | $187,500 |
Cities Similar to Spearfish city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Elder city | 12,457 | $73,698 | $271,800 | 29.8% | 7.4% |
| Vermillion city | 11,800 | $52,815 | $210,200 | 50.6% | 25.1% |
| Huron city | 14,347 | $51,556 | $164,700 | 27.0% | 16.4% |
| Pierre city | 14,008 | $74,053 | $219,500 | 34.8% | 10.3% |
| Mitchell city | 15,637 | $56,374 | $182,000 | 25.7% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Spearfish city is a small city located in South Dakota, within Lawrence County. The total population is 12,551. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Spearfish city is 37.2 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Spearfish city is $59,731. This is 18% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $309,200. Housing costs are 31% higher than the state median of $236,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 48.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Spearfish city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.2%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
43.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Spearfish city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 40% 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 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Spearfish city, 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.
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 Spearfish city, South Dakota?
Spearfish city, South Dakota has a population of 12,551 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Spearfish city, SD?
The median household income in Spearfish city is $59,731, which is 24% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Spearfish city, SD?
The poverty rate in Spearfish city is 15.2%. This means approximately 1,786 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Spearfish city, South Dakota?
Spearfish city's population is 87.1% White, 0.4% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Spearfish city, SD?
The median home value in Spearfish city is $309,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Spearfish city, South Dakota?
43.6% of adults (25+) in Spearfish city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.