City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Aberdeen, SD

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Aberdeen - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

28,297
Residents
$63,715
Median income
$205,500
Median home
$929
Median rent (state)

Aberdeen - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Aberdeen lands in the 41st percentile for household income and the 40th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

41st
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
8th
percentile, median rent
40th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Aberdeen, SD

Aberdeen is a small city in South Dakota, home to 28,297 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Aberdeen households earn a median of $63,715 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.4%. Typical homes in Aberdeen are valued around $205,500, and the median resident age is 35.8 years. Educational attainment runs 33.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 67.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 66 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 29% from five years earlier. Aberdeen reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1678.3 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 44.1°F with 21.8 inches of precipitation per year and 42.7 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: the state registers 88.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $929 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in South Dakota run around $200, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 10.4 minutes, with 79.5% driving alone and 5.9% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 73.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

28,297 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$63,715 /yr

Poverty 7.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Aberdeen compare to other US cities?

Where Aberdeen sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 41% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 8% pricier than other cities
Safety 40% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at South Dakota, Aberdeen ranks #22 of 34 South Dakota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Aberdeen's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in South Dakota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

41stIncome percentile
40thSafety percentile

41st percentile nationally for median household income · 40th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Aberdeen's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Aberdeen's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 52 Avg. percentile National median
Aberdeen's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Aberdeen's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$205,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Aberdeen $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Aberdeen, SD Aberdeen, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Aberdeen, SD-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Aberdeen, SD median $63,715/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Aberdeen, SD's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Aberdeen, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
28,297
Median Income
$63,715
Median Home Value
$205,500
Median Age
35.8
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Labor force participation
67.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1678.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
267.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1410.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
44.1°F
Annual Precipitation
21.8"
Annual Snowfall
42.7"

Schools

Total Schools
12
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
27,800 residents28,000 residents28,200 residents28,400 residents28,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 28,424 residents 27,961 residents ▼ -1.6%
Aberdeen's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
66
housing units authorized
Single-Family
50
detached homes
Multifamily
16
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 51
2020 44
2021 74
2022 237
2023 44
2024 66

Permit volume increased 29% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
10.4 minutes
Drive Alone
79.5%
Carpool
8.9%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
3.9%
Work from Home
5.9%
Other
1.1%

Based on 14,970 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Dakota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a South Dakota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Aberdeen sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$929/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
73.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Brookings
23,710 people
Watertown
22,859 people
Mitchell
15,637 people
Yankton
15,501 people
Huron
14,347 people
Pierre
14,008 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Aberdeen's 28,297 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fort Mill, SC
28,281 people
Rockledge, FL
28,279 people
Glen Ellyn, IL
28,270 people
Bergenfield, NJ
28,269 people
Apollo Beach, FL
28,347 people
Fortuna Foothills, AZ
28,227 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Aberdeen's $63,715 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Velarde, NM
$63,707 median income
Cullman, AL
$63,704 median income
Walthill, NE
$63,702 median income
Damariscotta, ME
$63,696 median income
Los Lunas, NM
$63,696 median income
Clifton, TX
$63,696 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Aberdeen, SD Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Aberdeen, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.3% 6.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.2% White 82.3% Black or African American 0.6% Asian 3.7% American Indian 5.9% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 6.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Aberdeen compares to nearby South Dakota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Aberdeen (this city) 28,297 $63,715
Brookings 23,710 $61,979
Watertown 22,859 $62,721
Mitchell 15,637 $56,374
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Aberdeen, SD?

What is the population of Aberdeen, SD? +

Aberdeen, SD counts 28,297 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Aberdeen, SD? +

Aberdeen households earn a median of $63,715 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Aberdeen? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Aberdeen; the closest available measure is the South Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 88.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Dakota vary by metro area.

Is Aberdeen, SD safe? +

Aberdeen has a total crime rate of 1678.3 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Aberdeen, SD? +

The median home value in Aberdeen is $205,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Aberdeen? +

Climate normals put Aberdeen's yearly average temperature at 44.1°F, 21.8 inches of precipitation, and 42.7 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.