Wasta, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wasta, South Dakota had a total population of 70, the 349th largest town in South Dakota, with a median household income of $34,375, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Wasta Quick Facts
How Wasta 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 | 77 | 70 | -9.1% |
| Median household income | $45,000 | $34,375 | -23.6% |
| Median home value | $111,500 | $108,800 | -2.4% |
How Wasta 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+)
Wasta Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Pennington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | 77,946 | $70,870 | 12.5% | $299,400 |
| Box Elder | 12,902 | $73,008 | 7.5% | $302,100 |
| Rapid Valley | 6,975 | $83,208 | 4.5% | $255,500 |
| Colonial Pine Hills | 2,609 | $98,696 | 0.2% | $406,500 |
| Green Valley | 1,642 | $81,582 | 1.0% | $280,300 |
| Ashland Heights | 1,105 | $57,353 | 30.7% | $219,600 |
| Hill City | 834 | $95,385 | 2.6% | $286,200 |
| Johnson Siding | 704 | $102,716 | 10.2% | $471,700 |
| Wall | 622 | $58,984 | 8.8% | $164,800 |
| New Underwood | 509 | $56,250 | 25.8% | $193,800 |
Cities Similar to Wasta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bath Corner | 72 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Shamrock Colony | 72 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 59.6% |
| Sunset Colony | 68 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Running Water | 73 | N/A | $9,999 | 31.5% | 0.0% |
| Stockholm | 74 | N/A | $97,000 | 12.5% | 16.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 70, Wasta'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
Wasta is a small community located in South Dakota, within Pennington County. The total population is 70. It ranks as the 349th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wasta is 62.6 years. This is 65% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. Only 10.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.4% 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 Wasta is $34,375. This is 54% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.6%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Wasta, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $108,800. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 84.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wasta is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%.
Education
36.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 96.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wasta, 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 Wasta, South Dakota?
Wasta, South Dakota has a population of 70 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wasta, SD?
The median household income in Wasta is $34,375, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wasta, SD?
The poverty rate in Wasta is 8.6%. This means approximately 6 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wasta, South Dakota?
Wasta's population is 82.9% White, 0.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wasta, SD?
The median home value in Wasta is $108,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Wasta, South Dakota?
36.5% of adults (25+) in Wasta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.