City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Clear Lake, SD

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

1,333
Residents
$65,398
Median income
$144,400
Median home
$929
Median rent (state)

Clear Lake - the verdict

Nationally, Clear Lake sits in the 43rd percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

43rd
percentile, household income
25th
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: Clear Lake, SD

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,333 residents in Clear Lake, a small town within South Dakota. Median household income here is $65,398 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 3.7%. Typical homes in Clear Lake are valued around $144,400, and the median resident age is 44.1 years. Educational attainment runs 26.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity). NOAA puts Clear Lake's yearly average temperature at 42.4°F with 27.5 inches of precipitation per year and 60.7 inches of snowfall.

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. 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. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 6.9 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

1,333 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$65,398 /yr

Poverty 3.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Clear Lake compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 43% higher than other cities
Home value 25% 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 Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake near the bottom of South Dakota's cities

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

Median Household Income
#119 of 285
58th percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#145 of 303
0th percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#108 of 263
59th percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#192 of 302
35th percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#79 of 303
73rd 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.

43rdIncome percentile

43rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Clear Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$144,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 75% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Clear Lake $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 - Clear Lake, SD Clear Lake, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, SD median $65,398/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%
Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.8%

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

Population
1,333
Median Income
$65,398
Median Home Value
$144,400
Median Age
44.1
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Labor force participation
53.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.8%

Climate

Avg Temperature
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
27.5"
Annual Snowfall
60.7"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,210 residents1,215 residents1,220 residents1,225 residents1,230 residents1,235 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,221 residents 1,220 residents ▼ -0.1%
Clear Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

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

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.6%
Carpool
12.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
2.5%
Other
2.1%

Based on 569 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 Clear Lake 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
6.9 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Gregory
1,330 people
Gettysburg
1,344 people
Miller
1,346 people
Deadwood
1,319 people
Platte
1,310 people
Mission
1,380 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Clear Lake's 1,333 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Harlan, IN
1,333 people
Oxford, IN
1,333 people
Bellevue, MI
1,333 people
Camillus, NY
1,333 people
Liberty, UT
1,333 people
Gillett, WI
1,333 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Clear Lake's $65,398 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mehlville, MO
$65,395 median income
Port Lavaca, TX
$65,395 median income
Puget Island, WA
$65,395 median income
Dasher, GA
$65,404 median income
Lyndon, KY
$65,392 median income
Kingston, NY
$65,413 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 95.7% Black or African American 0.3% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 3.1% 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 Clear Lake 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
Clear Lake (this city) 1,333 $65,398
Gregory 1,330 $47,629
Gettysburg 1,344 $59,667
Miller 1,346 $51,774
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Clear Lake, SD?

What is the population of Clear Lake, SD? +

Clear Lake, SD has a population of 1,333 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Clear Lake, SD? +

The median household income in Clear Lake is $65,398 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Clear Lake? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Clear Lake; 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 Clear Lake, SD? +

Homes in Clear Lake carry a median value of $144,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Clear Lake? +

The average annual temperature in Clear Lake runs 42.4°F, 27.5 inches of precipitation, and 60.7 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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