Vermillion, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vermillion, South Dakota had a total population of 11,878, the 12th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $50,456, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- 50.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Dakota.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% is notably above the national average.
Vermillion Quick Facts
How Vermillion 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 | 11,800 | 11,878 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $52,815 | $50,456 | -4.5% |
| Median home value | $210,200 | $219,000 | +4.2% |
How Vermillion 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+)
Vermillion Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Clay County
Cities Similar to Vermillion
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spearfish | 12,930 | $65,688 | $346,200 | 41.8% | 15.2% |
| Box Elder | 12,902 | $73,008 | $302,100 | 28.1% | 7.5% |
| Huron | 14,385 | $61,452 | $159,000 | 27.0% | 16.1% |
| Mitchell | 15,649 | $58,620 | $192,200 | 23.6% | 12.5% |
| Pierre | 13,948 | $77,672 | $230,700 | 39.0% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Vermillion is a small city located in South Dakota, within Clay County. The total population is 11,878. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vermillion is 23.1 years. This is 39% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. Only 14.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vermillion is $50,456. This is 33% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.4%. This is 104% 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. The unemployment rate is 8.5%. This is 190% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $219,000. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 42.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vermillion is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.9% 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
50.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Vermillion in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 58% 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 91.7%. Notably, 24.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vermillion, 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 Vermillion, South Dakota?
Vermillion, South Dakota has a population of 11,878 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vermillion, SD?
The median household income in Vermillion is $50,456, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vermillion, SD?
The poverty rate in Vermillion is 24.4%. This means approximately 2,328 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vermillion, South Dakota?
Vermillion's population is 81.9% White, 2.0% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vermillion, SD?
The median home value in Vermillion is $219,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Vermillion, South Dakota?
50.5% of adults (25+) in Vermillion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.