West Brule, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Brule, South Dakota had a total population of 471, the 157th largest community in South Dakota, with a median household income of $37,917, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 50.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (50.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 1.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
West Brule Quick Facts
How West Brule 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 | 482 | 471 | -2.3% |
| Median household income | $34,167 | $37,917 | +11.0% |
How West Brule 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+)
West Brule Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Lyman County
Cities Similar to West Brule
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porcupine | 424 | N/A | N/A | 13.2% | 79.7% |
| Wanblee | 534 | N/A | N/A | 7.9% | 53.4% |
| White Lake | 469 | $48,889 | $62,900 | 8.0% | 12.6% |
| Bridgewater | 451 | $47,083 | $116,100 | 13.8% | 10.8% |
| Kimball | 457 | $52,917 | $152,800 | 18.4% | 7.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 471, West Brule'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
West Brule is a small community located in South Dakota, within Lyman County. The total population is 471. It ranks as the 157th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Brule is 19.2 years. This is 49% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. With 48.4% of the population under 18, West Brule has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Brule is $37,917. This is 49% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 50.3%. This is 322% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in West Brule, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 28.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 59% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Brule is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.6%) is well below the state average of 79.8%.
Education
1.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 97% 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 72.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Brule, 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 West Brule, South Dakota?
West Brule, South Dakota has a population of 471 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Brule, SD?
The median household income in West Brule is $37,917, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Brule, SD?
The poverty rate in West Brule is 50.3%. This means approximately 237 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Brule, South Dakota?
West Brule's population is 6.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Brule, SD?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for West Brule — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is West Brule, South Dakota?
1.0% of adults (25+) in West Brule hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.