Tea, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tea, South Dakota had a total population of 6,786, the 17th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $120,139, which is 60% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in South Dakota.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.7% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- 47.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Tea Quick Facts
How Tea 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 | 6,339 | 6,786 | +7.1% |
| Median household income | $104,643 | $120,139 | +14.8% |
| Median home value | $305,300 | $351,100 | +15.0% |
How Tea 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+)
Tea Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 8,519 | $108,724 | 0.5% | $312,200 |
| Canton | 3,033 | $60,850 | 8.1% | $191,400 |
| Lennox | 2,468 | $81,761 | 9.7% | $235,900 |
| Beresford | 2,360 | $78,793 | 5.2% | $234,400 |
| Worthing | 1,036 | $93,162 | 1.8% | $220,200 |
| Shindler | 579 | $146,154 | 0.0% | $617,600 |
| Hudson | 382 | $66,429 | 17.0% | $150,500 |
| Fairview | 102 | $71,719 | 18.6% | $155,400 |
Cities Similar to Tea
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Valley | 6,975 | $83,208 | $255,500 | 19.8% | 4.5% |
| Harrisburg | 8,519 | $108,724 | $312,200 | 43.8% | 0.5% |
| Madison | 6,094 | $65,593 | $193,100 | 34.4% | 9.5% |
| Sturgis | 7,086 | $54,404 | $271,200 | 24.4% | 9.2% |
| Belle Fourche | 5,804 | $65,071 | $222,500 | 17.1% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
Tea is a small city located in South Dakota, within Lincoln County. The total population is 6,786. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tea is 30.6 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 36.3% of the population under 18, Tea has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tea is $120,139. This is 60% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 49% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 60% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $351,100. Housing costs are 36% higher than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Tea is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tea has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (5.4% vs 2.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
47.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Tea in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% higher 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 98.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tea, 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 Tea, South Dakota?
Tea, South Dakota has a population of 6,786 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tea, SD?
The median household income in Tea is $120,139, which is 49% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tea, SD?
The poverty rate in Tea is 4.7%. This means approximately 320 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tea, South Dakota?
Tea's population is 89.4% White, 5.4% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tea, SD?
The median home value in Tea is $351,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Tea, South Dakota?
47.1% of adults (25+) in Tea hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.