Waubay, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waubay, South Dakota had a total population of 337, the 187th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $36,389, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Waubay Quick Facts
How Waubay 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 | 425 | 337 | -20.7% |
| Median household income | $36,635 | $36,389 | -0.7% |
| Median home value | $105,000 | $152,800 | +45.5% |
How Waubay 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waubay Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Day County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webster | 1,896 | $55,179 | 15.1% | $154,100 |
| Enemy Swim | 301 | $30,357 | 69.4% | $85,800 |
| Bristol | 275 | $56,250 | 8.3% | $76,400 |
| Pierpont | 161 | $92,500 | 13.8% | $75,000 |
| Roslyn | 147 | $49,375 | 15.0% | $96,300 |
| Grenville | 53 | $90,385 | 5.7% | $41,400 |
| Andover | 31 | $68,333 | 9.7% | $57,500 |
| Butler | 2 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Waubay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Creek | 330 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 93.3% |
| Roscoe | 316 | $38,750 | $74,000 | 18.8% | 31.6% |
| Colome | 338 | $51,000 | $62,300 | 15.5% | 28.9% |
| Kadoka | 372 | $43,750 | N/A | 19.7% | 12.7% |
| Bullhead | 294 | $32,589 | N/A | 8.9% | 67.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 337, Waubay'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
Waubay is a small community located in South Dakota, within Day County. The total population is 337. It ranks as the 187th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waubay is 53.3 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 16.0% 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 is $36,389. This is 52% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.3%. 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 5.7%. This is 93% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $152,800. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waubay is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.6% of the population.
Education
24.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% lower 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waubay, 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 Waubay, South Dakota?
Waubay, South Dakota has a population of 337 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waubay, SD?
The median household income in Waubay is $36,389, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waubay, SD?
The poverty rate in Waubay is 24.3%. This means approximately 82 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waubay, South Dakota?
Waubay's population is 57.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waubay, SD?
The median home value in Waubay is $152,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Waubay, South Dakota?
24.8% of adults (25+) in Waubay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.