City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Box Elder, SD

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

12,457
Residents
$73,698
Median income
$271,800
Median home
$1,336
Median rent (state)

Box Elder - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Box Elder lands in the 55th percentile for household income and the 44th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

55th
percentile, household income
60th
percentile, home value
49th
percentile, median rent
44th
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: Box Elder, SD

South Dakota's Box Elder is a small town, with 12,457 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Box Elder brings in $73,698 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.0%. Home values in Box Elder run a median of $271,800, and the median resident age is 28.6 years. Educational attainment runs 29.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 63.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 106 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 31% from five years earlier. Box Elder reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1542.3 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts South Dakota at 88.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,336 monthly. 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 78.6 out of 100 (High).

Population

12,457 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$73,698 /yr

Poverty 7.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Box Elder compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 55% higher than other cities
Home value 60% pricier than other cities
Median rent 49% pricier than other cities
Safety 44% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to South Dakota alone, Box Elder ranks #20 of 34 South Dakota cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Box Elder'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.

55thIncome percentile
44thSafety percentile

55th percentile nationally for median household income · 44th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Box Elder's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Box Elder'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 48 Avg. percentile National median
Box Elder'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 Box Elder's home value compares nationally

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

$271,800 40th percentile more affordable than 40% 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%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Box Elder $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 - Box Elder, SD Box Elder, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Box Elder, 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 Box Elder, SD median $73,698/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%
Box Elder, 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 Box Elder, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.4%

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

Population
12,457
Median Income
$73,698
Median Home Value
$271,800
Median Age
28.6
Poverty Rate
7.0%
Labor force participation
63.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1542.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
349.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1192.7
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.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
11,000 residents12,000 residents13,000 residents14,000 residents15,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 11,948 residents 13,936 residents ▲ +16.6%
Box Elder's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
106
housing units authorized
Single-Family
106
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
8.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 153
2020 157
2021 102
2022 590
2023 123
2024 106

Permit volume decreased 31% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.8%
Carpool
13.2%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
6.2%
Other
2.0%

Based on 6,881 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 Box Elder sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,336/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
78.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Spearfish
12,551 people
Vermillion
11,800 people
Brandon
10,996 people
Pierre
14,008 people
Huron
14,347 people
Yankton
15,501 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Box Elder's 12,457 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Doctor Phillips, FL
12,458 people
Jensen Beach, FL
12,456 people
Boone, IA
12,445 people
Forest, VA
12,476 people
Liberty Lake, WA
12,435 people
Newington Forest, VA
12,434 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Box Elder's $73,698 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

New Hope, MN
$73,698 median income
Seville, OH
$73,698 median income
Lolo, MT
$73,700 median income
Southside, AL
$73,695 median income
Conashaugh Lakes, PA
$73,704 median income
Owens Cross Roads, AL
$73,708 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Box Elder, 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 Box Elder, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.2% 8.3% 7.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.9% White 79.2% Black or African American 2.3% Asian 1.4% American Indian 8.3% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 0.6% Two or more races 7.9% 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 Box Elder 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
Box Elder (this city) 12,457 $73,698
Spearfish 12,551 $59,731
Vermillion 11,800 $52,815
Brandon 10,996 $104,806
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Box Elder, SD?

What is the population of Box Elder, SD? +

Box Elder, SD has a population of 12,457 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Box Elder, SD? +

Box Elder households earn a median of $73,698 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Box Elder? +

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

Box Elder has a total crime rate of 1542.3 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 Box Elder, SD? +

Homes in Box Elder carry a median value of $271,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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

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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.