City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Sioux Falls, SD

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

197,642
Residents
$74,714
Median income
$271,400
Median home
$1,156
Median rent (state)

Sioux Falls - the verdict

Sioux Falls ranks in the 56th percentile for household income and the 11th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

56th
percentile, household income
60th
percentile, home value
33rd
percentile, median rent
11th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Sioux Falls, SD

South Dakota's Sioux Falls is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 197,642 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Sioux Falls households earn a median of $74,714 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.7%. Home values in Sioux Falls run a median of $271,400, and the median resident age is 35.1 years. About 37.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 72.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2,119 residential building permits were authorized in Sioux Falls (Rapid Growth), up 28% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Sioux Falls's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3441.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 47.3°F with 27.9 inches of precipitation per year and 45.3 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). 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. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 89.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

197,642 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$74,714 /yr

Poverty 6.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Sioux Falls compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 56% higher than other cities
Home value 60% pricier than other cities
Median rent 33% pricier than other cities
Safety 11% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at South Dakota, Sioux Falls ranks #32 of 34 South Dakota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Sioux Falls'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.

56thIncome percentile
11thSafety percentile

56th percentile nationally for median household income · 11th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sioux Falls's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sioux Falls's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 40 Avg. percentile National median
Sioux Falls's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Sioux Falls's home value compares nationally

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

$271,400 40th percentile more affordable than 40% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sioux Falls $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 - Sioux Falls, SD Sioux Falls, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls, SD median $74,714/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%
Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 37.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 72.6%

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

Population
197,642
Median Income
$74,714
Median Home Value
$271,400
Median Age
35.1
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Labor force participation
72.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
37.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3441.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
526.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2915.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
47.3°F
Annual Precipitation
27.9"
Annual Snowfall
45.3"

Schools

Total Schools
52
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
190,000 residents200,000 residents210,000 residents220,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 193,453 residents 213,748 residents ▲ +10.5%
Sioux Falls's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
2,119
housing units authorized
Single-Family
880
detached homes
Multifamily
1,239
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,656
2020 2,767
2021 3,132
2022 4,465
2023 2,736
2024 2,119

Permit volume increased 28% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.4%
Carpool
7.7%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
9.4%
Other
0.9%

Based on 109,690 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 Sioux Falls 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

Rapid City
76,836 people
Aberdeen
28,297 people
Brookings
23,710 people
Watertown
22,859 people
Mitchell
15,637 people
Yankton
15,501 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sioux Falls's 197,642 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Grand Rapids, MI
197,768 people
Overland Park, KS
197,199 people
Montgomery, AL
198,440 people
Grand Prairie, TX
198,564 people
Sunrise Manor, NV
199,099 people
Huntington Beach, CA
196,010 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sioux Falls's $74,714 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lynn, MA
$74,715 median income
Lincoln, DE
$74,712 median income
Woodlawn, NC
$74,712 median income
Garland, TX
$74,717 median income
Clinton, ME
$74,706 median income
West Kootenai, MT
$74,722 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.8% 7.0% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.4% White 79.8% Black or African American 7.0% Asian 2.3% American Indian 1.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 7.0% 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 Sioux Falls 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
Sioux Falls (this city) 197,642 $74,714
Rapid City 76,836 $65,712
Aberdeen 28,297 $63,715
Brookings 23,710 $61,979
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sioux Falls, SD?

What is the population of Sioux Falls, SD? +

Sioux Falls, SD has a population of 197,642 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sioux Falls, SD? +

In Sioux Falls, the typical household earns $74,714 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sioux Falls? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Sioux Falls; 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.

Is Sioux Falls, SD safe? +

Sioux Falls has a total crime rate of 3441.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Sioux Falls, SD? +

A typical home in Sioux Falls is worth $271,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Sioux Falls? +

Climate normals put Sioux Falls's yearly average temperature at 47.3°F, 27.9 inches of precipitation, and 45.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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