City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Waubay, SD

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

425
Residents
$36,635
Median income
$105,000
Median home
$929
Median rent (state)

Waubay - the verdict

Nationally, Waubay sits in the 6th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

6th
percentile, household income
11th
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: Waubay, SD

425 people live in Waubay, South Dakota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Waubay households earn a median of $36,635 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.1%. Waubay's housing stock carries a median value of $105,000, and the median resident age is 51.7 years. About 27.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 45.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Waubay (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, South Dakota scores 88.6 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $929 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $200 across South Dakota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 27.6 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

425 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$36,635 /yr

Poverty 4.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Waubay compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 11% 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

Each percentile compares Waubay 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 places Waubay near the bottom of South Dakota's cities

Among the 303 South Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Waubay ranks #145 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Waubay only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#264 of 285
7th percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#145 of 303
0th percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#166 of 263
37th percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#184 of 302
39th percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#74 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.

6thIncome percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Waubay's home value compares nationally

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

$105,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 89% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Waubay $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 - Waubay, SD Waubay, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Waubay, 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 Waubay, SD median $36,635/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%
Waubay, 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 Waubay, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 45.4%

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

Population
425
Median Income
$36,635
Median Home Value
$105,000
Median Age
51.7
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Labor force participation
45.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.2%

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 →
470 residents475 residents480 residents 202020212022202320242025 473 residents 474 residents ▲ +0.2%
Waubay's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 3
2021 3
2022 3
2023 3
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
91.4%
Carpool
0.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.1%
Work from Home
5.6%

Based on 162 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 Waubay 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
27.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Iroquois
425 people
Kadoka
427 people
Ramona
427 people
White Lake
423 people
Veblen
428 people
Rosholt
430 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Waubay's 425 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lake Hart, FL
425 people
Camak, GA
425 people
Andover, IL
425 people
Davis, IL
425 people
Varna, IL
425 people
Crestview, KY
425 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Waubay's $36,635 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Idabel, OK
$36,638 median income
Driscoll, TX
$36,638 median income
Troy, MT
$36,641 median income
Camargo, OK
$36,625 median income
Kingfield, ME
$36,648 median income
Princeton, NC
$36,656 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Waubay, 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 Waubay, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 58.6% 32.2% 9.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 58.6% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 32.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 9.2% 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 Waubay 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
Waubay (this city) 425 $36,635
Iroquois 425 $60,750
Kadoka 427 $36,786
Ramona 427 $76,042
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Waubay, SD?

What is the population of Waubay, SD? +

425 people live in Waubay, SD according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Waubay runs $36,635, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Waubay? +

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

Waubay's median home value sits at $105,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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