City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Big Stone City, SD

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

609
Residents
$50,333
Median income
$122,500
Median home
$929
Median rent (state)

Big Stone City - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Big Stone City places in the 20th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

20th
percentile, household income
18th
percentile, home value
8th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Big Stone City, SD

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 609 residents in Big Stone City, a small town within South Dakota. Median household income here is $50,333 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.4%. Home values in Big Stone City run a median of $122,500, and the median resident age is 62.3 years. Educational attainment runs 8.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 47.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Big Stone City (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, South Dakota scores 88.6 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $929 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Dakota's average monthly utility costs around $200 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 18.9 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

609 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$50,333 /yr

Poverty 14.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Big Stone City compare to other US cities?

Here's how Big Stone City stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 18% pricier than other cities
Median rent 8% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Big Stone City 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 Gross Rent places Big Stone City near the bottom of South Dakota's cities

Among the 303 South Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Big Stone City ranks #145 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Big Stone City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#221 of 285
22nd percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#145 of 303
0th percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#136 of 263
48th percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#80 of 302
74th percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#256 of 303
16th 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.

20thIncome percentile

20th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Big Stone City's home value compares nationally

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

$122,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 82% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Big Stone City $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 - Big Stone City, SD Big Stone City, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Big Stone City, 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 Big Stone City, SD median $50,333/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%
Big Stone City, 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 Big Stone City, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 8.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.5%

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

Population
609
Median Income
$50,333
Median Home Value
$122,500
Median Age
62.3
Poverty Rate
14.4%
Labor force participation
47.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
8.2%

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
404 residents406 residents408 residents410 residents412 residents414 residents 202020212022202320242025 410 residents 406 residents ▼ -1.0%
Big Stone City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 1
2021 1
2022 1
2023 2
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
61.7%
Carpool
24.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
10.0%
Work from Home
2.7%
Other
1.1%

Based on 261 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 Big Stone City 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
18.9 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Antelope
610 people
Wall
595 people
Faulkton
627 people
St. Francis
631 people
Murdo
633 people
Parmelee
637 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Big Stone City's 609 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lynnview, KY
609 people
Clarkson, NE
609 people
Remy, OK
609 people
Wallowa, OR
609 people
Gibraltar, PA
609 people
Rossiter, PA
609 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Big Stone City's $50,333 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Camillus, NY
$50,333 median income
Bowmans Crossing, VA
$50,333 median income
Lucerne Valley, CA
$50,330 median income
McDade, TX
$50,329 median income
Healdton, OK
$50,338 median income
Fairfax, CA
$50,326 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Big Stone City, 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 Big Stone City, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 98.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.1% White 98.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.3% Two or more races 0.7% 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 Big Stone City 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
Big Stone City (this city) 609 $50,333
Antelope 610 $19,176
Wall 595 $72,784
Faulkton 627 $68,672
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Big Stone City, SD?

What is the population of Big Stone City, SD? +

Big Stone City, SD counts 609 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Big Stone City, SD? +

The median household income in Big Stone City is $50,333 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Big Stone City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Big Stone City; 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.

What is the median home value in Big Stone City, SD? +

The median home value in Big Stone City is $122,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

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.