White Lake, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, White Lake, South Dakota had a total population of 469, the 158th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $48,889, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
White Lake Quick Facts
How White Lake 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 | 423 | 469 | +10.9% |
| Median household income | $48,906 | $48,889 | -0.0% |
| Median home value | $59,300 | $62,900 | +6.1% |
How White Lake 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+)
White Lake Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Aurora County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plankinton | 603 | $74,833 | 15.6% | $114,800 |
| Stickney | 284 | $59,750 | 13.7% | $131,600 |
| Aurora Center | 16 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to White Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater | 451 | $47,083 | $116,100 | 13.8% | 10.8% |
| Kimball | 457 | $52,917 | $152,800 | 18.4% | 7.8% |
| Porcupine | 424 | N/A | N/A | 13.2% | 79.7% |
| Wanblee | 534 | N/A | N/A | 7.9% | 53.4% |
| West Brule | 471 | $37,917 | N/A | 1.0% | 50.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 469, White Lake'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
White Lake is a small community located in South Dakota, within Aurora County. The total population is 469. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in White Lake is 51.9 years. This is 37% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 14.1% 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 White Lake is $48,889. This is 35% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in White Lake, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $62,900. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, White Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
White Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%.
Education
8.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 86.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for White Lake, 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 White Lake, South Dakota?
White Lake, South Dakota has a population of 469 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in White Lake, SD?
The median household income in White Lake is $48,889, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in White Lake, SD?
The poverty rate in White Lake is 12.6%. This means approximately 53 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of White Lake, South Dakota?
White Lake's population is 93.0% White, 1.1% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in White Lake, SD?
The median home value in White Lake is $62,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is White Lake, South Dakota?
8.0% of adults (25+) in White Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.