Swift Bird, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Swift Bird, South Dakota had a total population of 35, the 391st largest community in South Dakota. The poverty rate is 100.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (100.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Swift Bird Quick Facts
How Swift Bird 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 | 183 | 35 | -80.9% |
How Swift Bird Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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+)
Swift Bird Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Dewey County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Eagle Butte | 1,481 | $34,358 | 52.6% | $33,100 |
| Eagle Butte | 1,458 | $45,741 | 31.8% | $65,900 |
| Timber Lake | 779 | $60,694 | 15.8% | $81,400 |
| La Plant | 240 | $18,654 | 96.5% | N/A |
| Isabel | 214 | $68,750 | 15.9% | $48,200 |
| Whitehorse | 162 | $59,250 | 32.1% | N/A |
| Green Grass | 78 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Lantry | 3 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Swift Bird
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Lake Colony | 35 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 48.6% |
| Oak Lane Colony | 34 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Winfred | 34 | N/A | N/A | 14.7% | 0.0% |
| New Elm Spring Colony | 37 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Orland Colony | 37 | N/A | N/A | 33.3% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 35, Swift Bird'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
Swift Bird is a small community located in South Dakota, within Dewey County. The total population is 35. It ranks as the 391st most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Swift Bird is 10.0 years. This is 74% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 74.3% of the population under 18, Swift Bird has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 100.0%. This is 738% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. Every occupied housing unit the survey reached in Swift Bird was renter-occupied. At this sample size that indicates no owner-occupied homes were captured rather than that none exist.
Race & Ethnicity
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. 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 Swift Bird, 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 Swift Bird, South Dakota?
Swift Bird, South Dakota has a population of 35 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Swift Bird, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Swift Bird — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Swift Bird, SD?
The poverty rate in Swift Bird is 100.0%. This means approximately 35 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Swift Bird, South Dakota?
Swift Bird's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Swift Bird, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Swift Bird — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Swift Bird, South Dakota?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Swift Bird hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.