Waubay city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026

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

As of 2026, Waubay city, South Dakota has a total population of 425, the 168th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $36,635, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.2%.

Key Takeaways

Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.

Waubay city Quick Facts

Population 425

Median Household Income $36,635

Median Home Value $105,000

Poverty Rate 9.2%

Unemployment Rate 5.3%

Median Age 51.7 years

Homeownership Rate 66.3%

Affordability Ratio 2.9x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 27.2%

High School Graduation Rate 95.2%

Diversity Index 37/100

Population 425 168th of 439

Median Income $36,635 bottom 10%

Poverty Rate 9.2% 26% lower national

Median Home Value $105,000 average

How Waubay city Compares

Median Household Income

Waubay city

$36,635

$72,421

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Waubay city

$105,000

$236,800

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 23.1%

$25K-$50K 37.2%

$50K-$100K 21.1%

$100K+ 18.6%

Employment

5.3% Unemployment Rate State: 3.0% | National: 5.2%

47.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 66.3%

Renter 33.7%

Affordability Index Very Affordable

2.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

23.5%

18-34

6.6%

35-54

21.6%

55-74

36.2%

75+

12.0%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

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+)

Waubay city Rankings in South Dakota

#168 Population of 439

#320 Median Income of 439

#100 Education of 439

#179 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

Other Cities in Day County

City	Population	Median Income	Poverty	Home Value
Webster city	1,823	$55,074	15.1%	$122,200
Bristol city	245	$51,250	11.9%	$61,700
Roslyn town	174	$44,375	9.1%	$77,100
Pierpont town	165	$85,000	10.3%	$58,100
Grenville town	70	$83,125	17.1%	$43,100
Andover town	36	N/A	5.6%	$49,200
Butler town	4	N/A	0.0%	N/A

Cities Similar to Waubay city

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

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Kadoka city	427	$36,786	N/A	9.4%	15.3%
Two Strike CDP	398	N/A	N/A	7.5%	57.3%
Bridgewater city	456	$38,500	$86,900	16.4%	11.7%
White Lake city	423	$48,906	$59,300	9.8%	9.9%
West Brule CDP	482	$34,167	N/A	0.5%	51.9%

Population Overview

Waubay city is a small community located in South Dakota, within Day County. The total population is 425. It ranks as the 168th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.

Age Demographics

The median age in Waubay city is 51.7 years. This is 37% higher than the state median of 37.7 years. 12.0% 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 Waubay city is $36,635. This is 49% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 53% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.2%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $105,000. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Waubay city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 68.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Waubay city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.6% of the population.

Education

27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 95.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Waubay 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 Waubay city, South Dakota?

Waubay city, South Dakota has a population of 425 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Waubay city, SD?

The median household income in Waubay city is $36,635, which is 53% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Waubay city, SD?

The poverty rate in Waubay city is 9.2%. This means approximately 39 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Waubay city, South Dakota?

Waubay city's population is 58.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Waubay city, SD?

The median home value in Waubay city is $105,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.

How educated is Waubay city, South Dakota?

27.2% of adults (25+) in Waubay city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.