City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Wolsey, SD

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

666
Residents
$56,833
Median income
$88,000
Median home
$955
Median rent (state)

Wolsey - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Wolsey places in the 30th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

30th
percentile, household income
6th
percentile, home value
11th
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: Wolsey, SD

Wolsey is a small town in South Dakota, home to 666 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Wolsey brings in $56,833 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.3%. Wolsey's housing stock carries a median value of $88,000, and the median resident age is 35.0 years. 20.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 3 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $955 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Dakota's average monthly utility costs around $200 (state average). Workers in Wolsey report an average commute of 16.8 minutes, with 80.7% driving alone and 1.6% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 47.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

666 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$56,833 /yr

Poverty 2.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Wolsey compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 6% pricier than other cities
Median rent 11% 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 Wolsey 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 sits close to the middle of South Dakota's city distribution

Among the 302 South Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Wolsey ranks #222 - the 26th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Wolsey only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#188 of 285
34th percentile in South Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#104 of 303
64th percentile in South Dakota
Median Home Value
#192 of 263
27th percentile in South Dakota
Poverty Rate
#222 of 302
26th percentile in South Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#141 of 303
53rd 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.

30thIncome percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Wolsey's home value compares nationally

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

$88,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% 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. Wolsey $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 - Wolsey, SD Wolsey, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wolsey, 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 Wolsey, SD median $56,833/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%
Wolsey, 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 Wolsey, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.3%

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

Population
666
Median Income
$56,833
Median Home Value
$88,000
Median Age
35.0
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Labor force participation
62.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.4%

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 →
455 residents460 residents465 residents470 residents475 residents 202020212022202320242025 459 residents 471 residents ▲ +2.6%
Wolsey's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.8 minutes
Drive Alone
80.7%
Carpool
7.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
10.5%
Work from Home
1.6%

Based on 306 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 Wolsey sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$955/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
47.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Canistota
664 people
Johnson Siding
671 people
Avon
673 people
Humboldt
674 people
Onida
658 people
Timber Lake
677 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wolsey's 666 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Stebbins, AK
666 people
Sawmill, AZ
666 people
Cinco Bayou, FL
666 people
Yankeetown, FL
666 people
Pennville, IN
666 people
The Lakes, MN
666 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wolsey's $56,833 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Carlsbad, TX
$56,833 median income
Amherst, WI
$56,833 median income
Blue River, WI
$56,830 median income
Timberville, VA
$56,837 median income
South Paris, ME
$56,823 median income
Morongo Valley, CA
$56,821 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wolsey, 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 Wolsey, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 97.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18.6% White 97.3% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 2.4% 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 Wolsey 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
Wolsey (this city) 666 $56,833
Canistota 664 $61,979
Johnson Siding 671 $100,972
Avon 673 $57,727
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wolsey, SD?

What is the population of Wolsey, SD? +

Wolsey, SD counts 666 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Wolsey is $56,833 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wolsey? +

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

Homes in Wolsey carry a median value of $88,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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