City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Belle Fourche, SD

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

5,741
Residents
$59,920
Median income
$188,800
Median home
$1,046
Median rent (state)

Belle Fourche - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Belle Fourche places in the 35th percentile for household income and the 23rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

35th
percentile, household income
39th
percentile, home value
24th
percentile, median rent
23rd
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: Belle Fourche, SD

South Dakota's Belle Fourche is a small town, with 5,741 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Belle Fourche households earn a median of $59,920 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.6%. Belle Fourche's housing stock carries a median value of $188,800, and the median resident age is 36.8 years. 15.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 64.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 17 residential building permits were authorized in Belle Fourche (Building Boom), up 113% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2451.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 47.9°F with 18.0 inches of precipitation per year and 42.2 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 $1,046 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Dakota's average monthly utility costs around $200 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 49.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

5,741 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$59,920 /yr

Poverty 6.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Belle Fourche compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 39% pricier than other cities
Median rent 24% pricier than other cities
Safety 23% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just South Dakota and the picture shifts: Belle Fourche ranks #29 of 34 South Dakota cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Belle Fourche against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to South Dakota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

South Dakota-relative analysis

Median Home Value sits close to the middle of South Dakota's city distribution

Among the 263 South Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Belle Fourche ranks #72 - the 72nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Belle Fourche only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#163 of 285
43rd percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#75 of 303
71st percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#72 of 263
72nd percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#142 of 302
52nd percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#203 of 303
33rd percentile in South Dakota

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within South Dakota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

35thIncome percentile
23rdSafety percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income · 23rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Belle Fourche's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Belle Fourche'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 42 Avg. percentile National median
Belle Fourche'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 Belle Fourche's home value compares nationally

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

$188,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 61% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Belle Fourche $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 - Belle Fourche, SD Belle Fourche, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Belle Fourche, 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 Belle Fourche, SD median $59,920/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%
Belle Fourche, 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 Belle Fourche, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.5%

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

Population
5,741
Median Income
$59,920
Median Home Value
$188,800
Median Age
36.8
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor force participation
64.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2451.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
151.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2300.6
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
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
18.0"
Annual Snowfall
42.2"

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,600 residents5,700 residents5,800 residents5,900 residents6,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,652 residents 5,791 residents ▲ +2.5%
Belle Fourche's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
17
housing units authorized
Single-Family
17
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 16
2021 32
2022 12
2023 9
2024 17

Permit volume increased 113% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.1%
Carpool
12.6%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
4.1%
Work from Home
6.0%
Other
0.8%

Based on 2,805 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 Belle Fourche sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,046/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
49.3 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Madison
6,158 people
Tea
6,339 people
Sturgis
7,111 people
Rapid Valley
7,153 people
Dakota Dunes
4,129 people
Dell Rapids
3,947 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Belle Fourche's 5,741 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Monticello, KY
5,741 people
Yabucoa zona urbana, PR
5,740 people
Tontitown, AR
5,739 people
New Holland, PA
5,743 people
Central City, KY
5,736 people
Eldorado at Santa Fe, NM
5,746 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Belle Fourche's $59,920 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Portville, NY
$59,917 median income
Elmira, OR
$59,917 median income
Bonduel, WI
$59,917 median income
Newton, AL
$59,915 median income
Leoma, TN
$59,926 median income
Emlyn, KY
$59,911 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Belle Fourche, 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 Belle Fourche, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.5% White 90.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.3% American Indian 1.2% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 1.8% Two or more races 6.0% 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 Belle Fourche 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
Belle Fourche (this city) 5,741 $59,920
Madison 6,158 $62,180
Tea 6,339 $104,643
Sturgis 7,111 $51,101
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Belle Fourche, SD?

What is the population of Belle Fourche, SD? +

Belle Fourche, SD has a population of 5,741 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Belle Fourche, SD? +

The median household income in Belle Fourche is $59,920 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Belle Fourche? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Belle Fourche; 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 Belle Fourche, SD safe? +

Belle Fourche has a total crime rate of 2451.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Belle Fourche, SD? +

A typical home in Belle Fourche is worth $188,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Belle Fourche? +

Belle Fourche has an average annual temperature of 47.9°F, 18.0 inches of precipitation, and 42.2 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

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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.