City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Dell Rapids, SD

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

3,947
Residents
$101,250
Median income
$284,400
Median home
$1,156
Median rent (state)

Dell Rapids - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Dell Rapids lands in the 78th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

78th
percentile, household income
62nd
percentile, home value
33rd
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: Dell Rapids, SD

Dell Rapids is a small town in South Dakota, home to 3,947 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Dell Rapids brings in $101,250 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.6%. Dell Rapids's housing stock carries a median value of $284,400, and the median resident age is 39.7 years. 36.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 67.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 16 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier.

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 $1,156 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $200 across South Dakota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 89.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

3,947 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$101,250 /yr

Poverty 3.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Dell Rapids compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 78% higher than other cities
Home value 62% pricier than other cities
Median rent 33% 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 Dell Rapids 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 is Dell Rapids's strongest outlier among South Dakota cities

Among the 263 South Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Dell Rapids ranks #23 - the 91st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Dell Rapids only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#27 of 285
91st percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#20 of 303
82nd percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#23 of 263
91st percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#196 of 302
34th percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#32 of 303
89th 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.

78thIncome percentile

78th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Dell Rapids's home value compares nationally

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

$284,400 38th percentile more affordable than 38% 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%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Dell Rapids $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 - Dell Rapids, SD Dell Rapids, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Dell Rapids, 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 Dell Rapids, SD median $101,250/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%
Dell Rapids, 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 Dell Rapids, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 36.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.8%

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

Population
3,947
Median Income
$101,250
Median Home Value
$284,400
Median Age
39.7
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Labor force participation
67.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
36.2%

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 →
3,800 residents3,850 residents3,900 residents3,950 residents4,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,980 residents 3,852 residents ▼ -3.2%
Dell Rapids's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
16
housing units authorized
Single-Family
12
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 16
2020 16
2021 0
2022 19
2023 12
2024 16

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
86.8%
Carpool
4.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
7.6%

Based on 2,050 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 Dell Rapids sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,156/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Dakota Dunes
4,129 people
Milbank
3,513 people
Hot Springs
3,506 people
Hartford
3,412 people
Canton
3,060 people
North Sioux City
3,018 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Dell Rapids's 3,947 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lawrenceville, NJ
3,947 people
Bayport, MN
3,948 people
Schnecksville, PA
3,948 people
Turners Falls, MA
3,949 people
Cozad, NE
3,944 people
St. Davids, PA
3,950 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Dell Rapids's $101,250 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Anderson, AK
$101,250 median income
Big Delta, AK
$101,250 median income
East Nicolaus, CA
$101,250 median income
Oak Glen, CA
$101,250 median income
Rico, CO
$101,250 median income
Lake Carroll, IL
$101,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Dell Rapids, 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 Dell Rapids, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 93.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.5% White 93.7% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 4.7% 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 Dell Rapids 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
Dell Rapids (this city) 3,947 $101,250
Dakota Dunes 4,129 $123,438
Milbank 3,513 $58,462
Hot Springs 3,506 $49,688
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Dell Rapids, SD?

What is the population of Dell Rapids, SD? +

Dell Rapids, SD counts 3,947 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Dell Rapids, SD? +

In Dell Rapids, the typical household earns $101,250 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Dell Rapids? +

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

The median home value in Dell Rapids is $284,400, 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

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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.