Wood, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wood, South Dakota had a total population of 40, the 382nd largest town in South Dakota, with a median household income of $43,077, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.2x.
Wood Quick Facts
How Wood 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 | 55 | 40 | -27.3% |
| Median household income | $34,375 | $43,077 | +25.3% |
How Wood 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wood Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Mellette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White River | 606 | $82,692 | 35.7% | $75,000 |
| Horse Creek | 162 | N/A | 96.9% | N/A |
| Norris | 140 | N/A | 81.2% | N/A |
| Corn Creek | 113 | $2,499 | 92.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal | 40 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 32.5% |
| Nunda | 40 | N/A | $118,800 | 25.0% | 27.5% |
| St. Onge | 40 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Lake City | 40 | $41,563 | $109,400 | 37.8% | 0.0% |
| Camp Crook | 41 | $39,167 | $66,300 | 17.1% | 17.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 40, Wood'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
Wood is a small community located in South Dakota, within Mellette County. The total population is 40. It ranks as the 382nd most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wood is 51.5 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wood is $43,077. This is 43% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.5%. This is 172% 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 Wood, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $9,999. Housing costs are 96% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.2x, Wood is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wood is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.0% of the population.
Education
15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wood, 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 Wood, South Dakota?
Wood, South Dakota has a population of 40 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wood, SD?
The median household income in Wood is $43,077, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wood, SD?
The poverty rate in Wood is 32.5%. This means approximately 13 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wood, South Dakota?
Wood's population is 45.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wood, SD?
The median home value in Wood is $9,999. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.2x.
How educated is Wood, South Dakota?
15.0% of adults (25+) in Wood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.