Wakpala CDP, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Wakpala CDP, South Dakota Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

★

High PovertyPoverty rate of 86.2% is well above the state average

★

Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

As of 2026, Wakpala CDP, South Dakota has a total population of 159, the 261st largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $22,500, which is 69% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 86.2%.

Key Takeaways

Household income is 69% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (86.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Only 6.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
Unemployment rate of 46.9% is notably above the national average.

Wakpala CDP Quick Facts

Population 159

Median Household Income $22,500

Median Home Value N/A

Poverty Rate 86.2%

Unemployment Rate 46.9%

Median Age 26.4 years

Homeownership Rate 28.6%

Affordability Ratio N/A

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 6.9%

High School Graduation Rate 81.6%

Diversity Index -88/100

Population 159 261st of 439

Median Income $22,500 bottom 10%

Poverty Rate 86.2% 593% higher national

Median Home Value N/A

How Wakpala CDP Compares

Median Household Income

Wakpala CDP

$22,500

$72,421

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

$236,800

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 52.4%

$25K-$50K 40.5%

$50K-$100K 0.0%

$100K+ 7.1%

Employment

46.9% Unemployment Rate State: 3.0% | National: 5.2%

46.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 28.6%

Renter 71.4%

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

40.3%

18-34

16.4%

35-54

22.0%

55-74

18.9%

75+

2.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

Very Low Diversity

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+)

Wakpala CDP Rankings in South Dakota

#261 Population of 439

#342 Median Income of 439

#337 Education of 439

N/A Home Value of 439

Explore South Dakota Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Wakpala CDP

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Burbank CDP	159	N/A	$58,200	0.0%	0.0%
Spring Creek Colony CDP	161	N/A	N/A	0.0%	50.4%
Okreek CDP	157	N/A	N/A	16.7%	23.6%
Corn Creek CDP	147	N/A	N/A	0.0%	93.9%
Glendale Colony CDP	177	N/A	N/A	11.4%	6.8%

Population Overview

Wakpala CDP is a small community located in South Dakota. The total population is 159. It ranks as the 261st most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Wakpala CDP is 26.4 years. This is 30% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. With 40.3% of the population under 18, Wakpala CDP has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Wakpala CDP is $22,500. This is 69% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 71% lower. The poverty rate stands at 86.2%. This is 617% 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 46.9%. This is 1465% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. 28.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 58% lower than the state average of 68.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Wakpala CDP is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 0.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 80.3%.

Education

6.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% lower 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 81.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Wakpala CDP, 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.

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 Wakpala CDP, South Dakota?

Wakpala CDP, South Dakota has a population of 159 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Wakpala CDP, SD?

The median household income in Wakpala CDP is $22,500, which is 71% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Wakpala CDP, SD?

The poverty rate in Wakpala CDP is 86.2%. This means approximately 137 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Wakpala CDP, South Dakota?

Wakpala CDP's population is 0.6% White, 0.0% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Wakpala CDP, SD?

The median home value in Wakpala CDP is N/A.

How educated is Wakpala CDP, South Dakota?

6.9% of adults (25+) in Wakpala CDP hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.