Vermillion city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Vermillion city, South Dakota has a total population of 11,800, the 12th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $52,815, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 50.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
Vermillion city Quick Facts
How Vermillion 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+)
Vermillion city Rankings in South Dakota
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Other Cities in Clay County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wakonda town | 352 | $56,875 | 16.3% | $97,700 |
Cities Similar to Vermillion city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spearfish city | 12,551 | $59,731 | $309,200 | 43.6% | 15.2% |
| Huron city | 14,347 | $51,556 | $164,700 | 27.0% | 16.4% |
| Box Elder city | 12,457 | $73,698 | $271,800 | 29.8% | 7.4% |
| Mitchell city | 15,637 | $56,374 | $182,000 | 25.7% | 14.1% |
| Pierre city | 14,008 | $74,053 | $219,500 | 34.8% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Vermillion city is a small city located in South Dakota, within Clay County. The total population is 11,800. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vermillion city is 22.9 years. This is 39% lower than the state median of 37.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vermillion city is $52,815. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 109% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.3%. This is 244% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $210,200. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $236,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 42.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vermillion city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 85.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 3.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.8% vs 1.4%).
Education
50.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Vermillion city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 63% 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 93.1%. Notably, 25.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vermillion 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Vermillion city, South Dakota?
Vermillion city, South Dakota has a population of 11,800 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vermillion city, SD?
The median household income in Vermillion city is $52,815, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Vermillion city, SD?
The poverty rate in Vermillion city is 25.1%. This means approximately 2,383 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vermillion city, South Dakota?
Vermillion city's population is 85.0% White, 2.5% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vermillion city, SD?
The median home value in Vermillion city is $210,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Vermillion city, South Dakota?
50.6% of adults (25+) in Vermillion city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.