City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Milbank, SD

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

3,513
Residents
$58,462
Median income
$161,300
Median home
$929
Median rent (state)

Milbank - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Milbank lands in the 33rd percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

33rd
percentile, household income
31st
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: Milbank, SD

3,513 people live in Milbank, South Dakota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Milbank households earn a median of $58,462 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.2%. Milbank's housing stock carries a median value of $161,300, and the median resident age is 42.3 years. 34.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 64.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 13 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 1200% from five years earlier. NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 43.0°F with 25.4 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: the state registers 88.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $929 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $200 across South Dakota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 18.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

3,513 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$58,462 /yr

Poverty 9.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Milbank compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 33% higher than other cities
Home value 31% 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

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 Milbank'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.

33rdIncome percentile

33rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Milbank's home value compares nationally

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

$161,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 69% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Milbank $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 - Milbank, SD Milbank, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Milbank, 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 Milbank, SD median $58,462/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%
Milbank, 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 Milbank, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 34.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.2%

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

Population
3,513
Median Income
$58,462
Median Home Value
$161,300
Median Age
42.3
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Labor force participation
64.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
34.3%

Climate

Avg Temperature
43.0°F
Annual Precipitation
25.4"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

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 →
3,500 residents3,510 residents3,520 residents3,530 residents3,540 residents3,550 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,531 residents 3,512 residents ▼ -0.5%
Milbank's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
13
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 9
2021 2
2022 2
2023 13
2024 13

Permit volume increased 1200% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.3%
Carpool
12.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.4%
Work from Home
11.0%
Other
1.5%

Based on 1,707 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 Milbank 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
18.9 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Hot Springs
3,506 people
Hartford
3,412 people
Dell Rapids
3,947 people
Canton
3,060 people
North Sioux City
3,018 people
Lead
2,997 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Milbank's 3,513 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Paulding, OH
3,513 people
Day Valley, CA
3,514 people
Smithton, IL
3,512 people
Midway North, TX
3,514 people
Black River Falls, WI
3,514 people
Bunnell, FL
3,511 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Milbank's $58,462 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Maysville, OK
$58,462 median income
Conway, AR
$58,461 median income
Eagle Grove, IA
$58,458 median income
Pleasant Valley, WV
$58,456 median income
Villisca, IA
$58,469 median income
Wappingers Falls, NY
$58,455 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Milbank, 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 Milbank, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.3% 6.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.7% White 87.3% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 3.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.3% Two or more races 2.9% 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 Milbank 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
Milbank (this city) 3,513 $58,462
Hot Springs 3,506 $49,688
Hartford 3,412 $95,426
Dell Rapids 3,947 $101,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Milbank, SD?

What is the population of Milbank, SD? +

The population of Milbank, SD stands at 3,513 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Milbank, SD? +

The median household income in Milbank is $58,462 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Milbank? +

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

Homes in Milbank carry a median value of $161,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Milbank? +

Climate normals put Milbank's yearly average temperature at 43.0°F, 25.4 inches of precipitation. 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 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.