City · South Dakota
Freeman, South Dakota
Freeman, city, in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. Freeman had 1,305 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,329 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,565 (±262). GEOID 4623020.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,305
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,329 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,565 ±262
Median household income
$57,440
±$5,499 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$164,200
±$15,197 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$741
±$91 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
Where is Freeman and what county is it in?
Freeman is a city in Hutchinson County, South Dakota. It covers 1.5 square miles of land, 893 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Freeman, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,305 people lived in Freeman on July 1, 2025, down 2.2% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. The 2020 Census counted 1,329 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,565 (±262).
| Measure | Freeman | Hutchinson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,565 ±262 | 7,404 | no clear change |
| Households | 587 ±69 | 2,908 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.54 ±0.35 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 651 ±71 | 3,236 | no clear change |
Freeman's population since 2000
From 1,317 in 2000 to 1,305 in 2025: down 0.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Freeman as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Freeman?
The median resident of Freeman is 37.8 years old; 32.5% are under 18 and 20.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 13.0%. 5.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Freeman | Hutchinson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.8 ±5.2 | 42.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 32.5% ±7.1 pts | 26.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.4% ±4.7 pts | 21.8% | – |
| Male | 47.0% ±3.9 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.7% ±2.7 pts | 2.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.3% ±10.5 pts | 90.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±1.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 13.0% ±11.0 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.5% ±2.2 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.7% ±3.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6% ±1.9 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.7% ±4.6 pts | 12.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.9% ±3.6 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.1% ±4.8 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.3% ±4.8 pts | 28.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.7% ±2.2 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.3% ±3.8 pts | 91.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9% ±1.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Freeman earn?
Half of Freeman's 587 households earn less than $57,440 a year (±$5,499), against $73,977 in Hutchinson County and $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 the median was $71,626 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $14,186 after inflation. 20.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Freeman | Hutchinson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,440 ±$5,499 | $73,977 | −$14,186 |
| Mean household income | $80,485 ±$7,839 | $97,565 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,625 ±$4,409 | $39,153 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.9% ±11.1 pts | 12.2% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 35.4% ±26.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.2% ±5.2 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.1% ±3.0 pts | 89.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.4% ±5.6 pts | 86.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Freeman?
Owners occupy 75.1% of Freeman's occupied homes and renters 24.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $164,200 by its owner (±$15,197). The median renter pays $741 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Freeman | Hutchinson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $164,200 ±$15,197 | $163,000 | +$55,161 |
| Median gross rent | $741 ±$91 | $727 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 18.8% ±12.7 pts | 18.2% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,222 ±$202 | $1,263 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.1% ±6.5 pts | 77.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 24.9% ±6.5 pts | 22.7% | – |
| Housing units | 651 ±71 | 3,236 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8% ±1.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.9% ±12.0 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.6% ±5.0 pts | 86.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±3.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±3.8 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.5% ±3.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.0% ±6.4 pts | 26.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.9% ±2.3 pts | 5.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Freeman building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units in Freeman in 2025 (3 in single-family houses), 2.3 per 1,000 residents against 5.7 across South Dakota.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Freeman work and get to work?
70.9% of Freeman's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 15.8 minutes.
| Measure | Freeman | Hutchinson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.9% ±5.7 pts | 65.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5% ±2.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 70.9% ±8.5 pts | 78.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.9% ±6.4 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±3.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 10.9% ±5.6 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.5% ±2.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.8 min ±2.5 | 17.2 min | −6.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Freeman?
No census tract lies mostly in Freeman; 1 tract reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9686Hutchinson County | 3,164 | $75,469 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Freeman) · Census block assignment files
How does Freeman compare with other places in South Dakota?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Freeman is the 9,295th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 50th-most populous of 310 in South Dakota.
Freeman ranks 64th of 82 places in South Dakota with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 50th | 310 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 53rd | 73 |
| Residents per square mile | 50th | 84 |
| Median household income | 64th | 82 |
| Per capita income | 67th | 83 |
| Median home value | 57th | 81 |
| Median gross rent | 52nd | 72 |
| Poverty rate | 11th | 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 69th | 81 |
| Median age | 53rd | 83 |
| Owner-occupied share | 31st | 84 |
| Travel time to work | 47th | 84 |
Freeman's figures with every place in South Dakota (CSV)
Every place in South Dakota, sortable · Compare Freeman with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Freeman?
18 of the 57 figures for Freeman on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Freeman are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Freeman.