Whitewood, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Whitewood, South Dakota had a total population of 912, the 90th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $77,500, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.0% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
Whitewood Quick Facts
How Whitewood 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 | 746 | 912 | +22.3% |
| Median household income | $67,250 | $77,500 | +15.2% |
| Median home value | $214,200 | $243,300 | +13.6% |
How Whitewood 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+)
Whitewood Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Lawrence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spearfish | 12,930 | $65,688 | 15.2% | $346,200 |
| Lead | 3,006 | $73,047 | 7.5% | $189,400 |
| North Spearfish | 1,858 | $76,809 | 23.2% | $356,200 |
| Deadwood | 1,209 | $40,179 | 6.7% | $226,500 |
| Boulder Canyon | 841 | $74,281 | 1.1% | $597,800 |
| Mountain Plains | 350 | $248,558 | 0.0% | $613,200 |
| Crook City | 279 | $139,926 | 0.0% | $463,300 |
| Central City | 140 | $47,000 | 3.6% | $208,300 |
| St. Onge | 40 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Whitewood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Norden | 889 | $75,688 | $192,600 | 14.4% | 6.3% |
| Colman | 948 | $76,146 | $235,800 | 38.0% | 11.5% |
| Arlington | 920 | $71,296 | $144,300 | 21.1% | 19.1% |
| Manderson-White Horse Creek | 833 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Estelline | 831 | $78,438 | $142,200 | 20.8% | 7.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 912, Whitewood'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
Whitewood is a small community located in South Dakota, within Lawrence County. The total population is 912. It ranks as the 90th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Whitewood is 40.1 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Whitewood is $77,500. This is 3% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.0%. This is 83% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $243,300. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $257,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 82.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Whitewood has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
23.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Whitewood, 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 Whitewood, South Dakota?
Whitewood, South Dakota has a population of 912 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Whitewood, SD?
The median household income in Whitewood is $77,500, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Whitewood, SD?
The poverty rate in Whitewood is 2.0%. This means approximately 18 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Whitewood, South Dakota?
Whitewood's population is 91.0% White, 0.0% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Whitewood, SD?
The median home value in Whitewood is $243,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Whitewood, South Dakota?
23.8% of adults (25+) in Whitewood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.