City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Vermillion, SD

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

11,800
Residents
$52,815
Median income
$210,200
Median home
$929
Median rent (state)

Vermillion - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Vermillion places in the 24th percentile for household income and the 51st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

24th
percentile, household income
46th
percentile, home value
8th
percentile, median rent
51st
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: Vermillion, SD

11,800 people live in Vermillion, South Dakota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Vermillion brings in $52,815 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 6.9%. Vermillion's housing stock carries a median value of $210,200, and the median resident age is 22.9 years. About 50.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 60.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 19 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 12% from five years earlier. Vermillion reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1346.0 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 48.8°F with 28.0 inches of precipitation per year.

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). 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 20.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

11,800 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$52,815 /yr

Poverty 6.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Vermillion compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 24% higher than other cities
Home value 46% pricier than other cities
Median rent 8% pricier than other cities
Safety 51% 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, Vermillion ranks #19 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 Vermillion'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.

24thIncome percentile
51stSafety percentile

24th percentile nationally for median household income · 51st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Vermillion's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Vermillion'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 49 Avg. percentile National median
Vermillion'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 Vermillion's home value compares nationally

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

$210,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 54% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Vermillion $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 - Vermillion, SD Vermillion, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Vermillion, 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 Vermillion, SD median $52,815/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%
Vermillion, 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 Vermillion, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 50.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.7%

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

Population
11,800
Median Income
$52,815
Median Home Value
$210,200
Median Age
22.9
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Labor force participation
60.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
50.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1346.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
181.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1164.3
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
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
28.0"
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 →
11,600 residents11,700 residents11,800 residents11,900 residents12,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 11,723 residents 11,720 residents ▼ -0.0%
Vermillion's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
19
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
10
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 17
2020 58
2021 12
2022 12
2023 27
2024 19

Permit volume increased 12% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
71.5%
Carpool
5.2%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
13.1%
Work from Home
7.0%
Other
2.8%

Based on 5,716 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 Vermillion 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
20.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Box Elder
12,457 people
Spearfish
12,551 people
Brandon
10,996 people
Pierre
14,008 people
Huron
14,347 people
Yankton
15,501 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Vermillion's 11,800 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Irmo, SC
11,799 people
Smithfield, NC
11,798 people
Evanston, WY
11,803 people
Salem, OH
11,805 people
Hartsville/Trousdale County, TN
11,805 people
Sussex, WI
11,795 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Vermillion's $52,815 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Blue Lake, CA
$52,813 median income
Witt, IL
$52,813 median income
Geneva, IN
$52,813 median income
Eldon, IA
$52,813 median income
Louisburg, MO
$52,813 median income
White Plains, NC
$52,813 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Vermillion, 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 Vermillion, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.4% White 85.4% Black or African American 2.5% Asian 3.8% American Indian 4.8% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 3.1% 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 Vermillion 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
Vermillion (this city) 11,800 $52,815
Box Elder 12,457 $73,698
Spearfish 12,551 $59,731
Brandon 10,996 $104,806
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Vermillion, SD?

What is the population of Vermillion, SD? +

The population of Vermillion, SD stands at 11,800 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Vermillion is $52,815 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Vermillion? +

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

Vermillion has a total crime rate of 1346.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Vermillion, SD? +

A typical home in Vermillion is worth $210,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Vermillion? +

Climate normals put Vermillion's yearly average temperature at 48.8°F, 28.0 inches of precipitation. 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.