Vale, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vale, South Dakota had a total population of 73, the 342nd largest community in South Dakota, with a median household income of $40,455, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
Vale Quick Facts
How Vale 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 | 90 | 73 | -18.9% |
| Median household income | $23,661 | $40,455 | +71.0% |
| Median home value | $58,900 | $50,400 | -14.4% |
How Vale 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+)
Vale Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Butte County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche | 5,804 | $65,071 | 10.6% | $222,500 |
| Newell | 378 | $84,792 | 6.6% | $141,300 |
| Fruitdale | 134 | $17,450 | 57.5% | $164,400 |
| Nisland | 109 | $26,979 | 12.8% | $87,100 |
Cities Similar to Vale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Running Water | 73 | N/A | $9,999 | 31.5% | 0.0% |
| Stockholm | 74 | N/A | $97,000 | 12.5% | 16.2% |
| Bath Corner | 72 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Shamrock Colony | 72 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 59.6% |
| Old Elm Spring Colony | 75 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 48.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 73, Vale'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
Vale is a small community located in South Dakota, within Butte County. The total population is 73. It ranks as the 342nd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vale is 68.5 years. This is 80% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 32.9% 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 Vale is $40,455. This is 46% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.9%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Vale, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $50,400. Housing costs are 80% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Vale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Vale has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents.
Education
21.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 94.5%. Notably, 15.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vale, 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 Vale, South Dakota?
Vale, South Dakota has a population of 73 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vale, SD?
The median household income in Vale is $40,455, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vale, SD?
The poverty rate in Vale is 6.9%. This means approximately 5 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vale, South Dakota?
Vale's population is 87.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vale, SD?
The median home value in Vale is $50,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Vale, South Dakota?
21.9% of adults (25+) in Vale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.