City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Wessington Springs, SD

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

747
Residents
$46,750
Median income
$96,000
Median home
$948
Median rent (state)

Wessington Springs - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Wessington Springs places in the 15th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

15th
percentile, household income
8th
percentile, home value
10th
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: Wessington Springs, SD

Wessington Springs is a small town in South Dakota, home to 747 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Wessington Springs households earn a median of $46,750 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 1.4%. Home values in Wessington Springs run a median of $96,000, and the median resident age is 60.1 years. 23.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 45.4°F with 25.7 inches of precipitation per year and 44.5 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 $948 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in South Dakota run around $200, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 9.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

747 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$46,750 /yr

Poverty 1.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Wessington Springs compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 15% higher than other cities
Home value 8% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% 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 Wessington Springs 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

Poverty Rate places Wessington Springs toward the bottom of South Dakota's cities

Among the 302 South Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Wessington Springs ranks #238 - the 21st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Wessington Springs only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#234 of 285
18th percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#121 of 303
55th percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#178 of 263
32nd percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#238 of 302
21st percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#108 of 303
64th 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.

15thIncome percentile

15th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Wessington Springs's home value compares nationally

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

$96,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 92% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $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. Wessington Springs $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 - Wessington Springs, SD Wessington Springs, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wessington Springs, 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 Wessington Springs, SD median $46,750/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%
Wessington Springs, 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 Wessington Springs, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.6%

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

Population
747
Median Income
$46,750
Median Home Value
$96,000
Median Age
60.1
Poverty Rate
1.4%
Labor force participation
50.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.7%

Climate

Avg Temperature
45.4°F
Annual Precipitation
25.7"
Annual Snowfall
44.5"

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
750 residents760 residents770 residents780 residents 202020212022202320242025 764 residents 753 residents ▼ -1.4%
Wessington Springs'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 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.7%
Carpool
6.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.0%
Work from Home
14.0%
Other
1.3%

Based on 300 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 Wessington Springs sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$948/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
9.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Whitewood
746 people
Wanblee
744 people
Woonsocket
753 people
Castlewood
756 people
Menno
736 people
Bryant
761 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wessington Springs's 747 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sulphur Rock, AR
747 people
Royal Center, IN
747 people
Isle, MN
747 people
Pikeville, NC
747 people
Danville, OH
747 people
Nittany, PA
747 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wessington Springs's $46,750 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Belk, AL
$46,750 median income
Fairview, AL
$46,750 median income
Lyerly, GA
$46,750 median income
Grandview, IA
$46,750 median income
Grey Eagle, MN
$46,750 median income
Conception, MO
$46,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wessington Springs, 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 Wessington Springs, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.8% 9.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.1% White 89.8% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 9.8% 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 Wessington Springs 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
Wessington Springs (this city) 747 $46,750
Whitewood 746 $67,250
Wanblee 744 N/A
Woonsocket 753 $52,283
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wessington Springs, SD?

What is the population of Wessington Springs, SD? +

747 people live in Wessington Springs, SD according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Wessington Springs, SD? +

In Wessington Springs, the typical household earns $46,750 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wessington Springs? +

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

The median home value in Wessington Springs is $96,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Wessington Springs? +

The average annual temperature in Wessington Springs runs 45.4°F, 25.7 inches of precipitation, and 44.5 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.