City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Hill City, SD

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

699
Residents
$85,714
Median income
$246,700
Median home
$1,173
Median rent (state)

Hill City - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Hill City lands in the 67th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

67th
percentile, household income
55th
percentile, home value
34th
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: Hill City, SD

Hill City is a small town in South Dakota, home to 699 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Hill City brings in $85,714 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.1%. Hill City's housing stock carries a median value of $246,700, and the median resident age is 34.9 years. Educational attainment runs 27.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 73.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 7 residential building permits were authorized in Hill City (Growing), up 17% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. NOAA puts Hill City's yearly average temperature at 43.9°F with 22.4 inches of precipitation per year and 66.6 inches of snowfall.

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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,173 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in South Dakota run around $200, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 16.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

699 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$85,714 /yr

Poverty 1.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Hill City compare to other US cities?

Hill City measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 67% higher than other cities
Home value 55% pricier than other cities
Median rent 34% 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 Hill 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 is Hill City's strongest outlier among South Dakota cities

Among the 303 South Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Hill City ranks #11 - the 94th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Hill City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#47 of 285
84th percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#11 of 303
94th percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#32 of 263
88th percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#243 of 302
19th percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#76 of 303
75th 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.

67thIncome percentile

67th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Hill City's home value compares nationally

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

$246,700 45th percentile more affordable than 45% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Hill 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 - Hill City, SD Hill City, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Hill 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 Hill City, SD median $85,714/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%
Hill 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 Hill City, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 73.0%

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

Population
699
Median Income
$85,714
Median Home Value
$246,700
Median Age
34.9
Poverty Rate
1.1%
Labor force participation
73.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.1%

Climate

Avg Temperature
43.9°F
Annual Precipitation
22.4"
Annual Snowfall
66.6"

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 →
850 residents900 residents950 residents1,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 877 residents 938 residents ▲ +7.0%
Hill City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 19
2021 28
2022 4
2023 5
2024 7

Permit volume increased 17% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.7%
Carpool
4.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.7%
Work from Home
14.0%

Based on 372 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 Hill City sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,173/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
16.3 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

White River
712 people
Blucksberg Mountain
683 people
Highmore
717 people
Jefferson
717 people
Timber Lake
677 people
Manderson-White Horse Creek
723 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Hill City's 699 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Raleigh, FL
699 people
North Lynbrook, NY
699 people
North Topsail Beach, NC
699 people
Lake Winola, PA
699 people
Hometown, WV
699 people
Mill Creek, WV
699 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Hill City's $85,714 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Eden, NY
$85,707 median income
Azusa, CA
$85,727 median income
Arcola, IL
$85,697 median income
Delta Junction, AK
$85,694 median income
Pasadena Hills, MO
$85,694 median income
Running Springs, CA
$85,681 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Hill 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 Hill City, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.0% 6.3% 9.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 13.2% White 79.0% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 5.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.3% Two or more races 9.6% 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 Hill 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
Hill City (this city) 699 $85,714
White River 712 $80,625
Blucksberg Mountain 683 $95,658
Highmore 717 $99,500
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Hill City, SD?

What is the population of Hill City, SD? +

699 people live in Hill City, SD according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Hill City, the typical household earns $85,714 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Hill City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Hill 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 Hill City, SD? +

Homes in Hill City carry a median value of $246,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Hill City? +

Hill City has an average annual temperature of 43.9°F, 22.4 inches of precipitation, and 66.6 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.