Willow Lake city, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Willow Lake city, South Dakota has a total population of 455, the 158th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $63,929, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.1%.
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.1% — among the lowest in South Dakota.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.0%.
Willow Lake city Quick Facts
How Willow Lake city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 33 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Willow Lake city Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Clark County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark city | 1,181 | $49,464 | 11.5% | $125,700 |
| Cottonwood town | 105 | N/A | 0.9% | N/A |
| Bradley town | 104 | $60,833 | 8.6% | $105,800 |
| Naples town | 100 | $108,750 | 32.0% | N/A |
| Garden City town | 87 | N/A | 5.9% | $46,700 |
| Raymond town | 51 | $47,500 | 13.7% | N/A |
| Vienna town | 44 | $34,583 | 0.0% | $67,500 |
Cities Similar to Willow Lake city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White city | 438 | $63,125 | $141,700 | 23.5% | 5.3% |
| Wilmot city | 441 | $61,563 | $68,600 | 29.0% | 9.4% |
| Emery city | 475 | $62,679 | $125,000 | 26.1% | 5.1% |
| Kimball city | 469 | $60,208 | $118,800 | 18.4% | 9.5% |
| Rosholt town | 430 | $62,375 | $115,800 | 22.8% | 13.3% |
Population Overview
Willow Lake city is a small community located in South Dakota, within Clark County. The total population is 455. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Willow Lake city is 16.2 years. This is 57% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. With 56.0% of the population under 18, Willow Lake city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Willow Lake city is $63,929. This is 12% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 1.1%. This is 91% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $150,000. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Willow Lake city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Willow Lake city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (3.5% vs 2.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.4% vs 4.6%).
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 86.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Willow Lake 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 Willow Lake city, South Dakota?
Willow Lake city, South Dakota has a population of 455 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Willow Lake city, SD?
The median household income in Willow Lake city is $63,929, which is 19% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Willow Lake city, SD?
The poverty rate in Willow Lake city is 1.1%. This means approximately 5 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Willow Lake city, South Dakota?
Willow Lake city's population is 83.1% White, 3.5% Black, 13.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Willow Lake city, SD?
The median home value in Willow Lake city is $150,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Willow Lake city, South Dakota?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Willow Lake city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.