State
South Dakota
South Dakota. South Dakota had 935,094 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.5% since 2020, faster than the United States (+3.1%). 1,380 places (310 incorporated, 895 towns and townships and 175 census-designated) in 66 counties; 75,808 square miles of land.
Residents, 2025 estimate
935,094
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 886,667
Median household income
$75,081
±$888 (90% margin)
Median home value
$257,400
±$3,051 (90% margin)
Median gross rent
$946
±$11 (90% margin)
How many people live in South Dakota?
The 2020 Census counted 886,667 residents in South Dakota. The Census Bureau estimates 935,094 for July 1, 2025, up 5.5% since 2020, faster than the United States (+3.1%). 79.1% of residents live in an incorporated place or a census-designated place (a city, village, borough or CDP); in the counties organized into townships, 895 townships are also local governments, and many of those places lie inside one.
South Dakota is the 46th-most populous of the 50 states by the July 2025 estimates (every state ranked).
| Measure | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 907,428 | +36,790 |
| Households | 365,544 ±1,728 | +21,147 |
| Average household size | 2.39 ±0.01 | −0.04 |
| Housing units | 408,584 ±422 | +16,369 |
South Dakota's population since 2000
From 754,844 in 2000 to 935,094 in 2025: up 23.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025; 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What are the largest cities in South Dakota?
Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest place with 213,748 residents in 2025, followed by Rapid City (80,589 residents in 2025) and Aberdeen (27,961 residents in 2025).
| Place | Residents | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 213,748 | $75,970 |
| Rapid City | 80,589 | $70,870 |
| Aberdeen | 27,961 | $64,405 |
| Brookings | 25,355 | $63,493 |
| Watertown | 23,736 | $69,600 |
| Yankton | 15,816 | $67,804 |
| Mitchell | 15,756 | $58,620 |
| Huron | 14,607 | $61,452 |
| Spearfish | 14,154 | $65,688 |
| Box Elder | 13,936 | $73,008 |
| Pierre | 13,848 | $77,672 |
| Vermillion | 11,720 | $50,456 |
| Brandon | 11,306 | $110,806 |
| Harrisburg | 10,405 | $108,724 |
| Tea | 8,019 | $120,139 |
| Rapid Valley | 6,975 | $83,208 |
| Sturgis | 6,922 | $54,404 |
| Madison | 6,065 | $65,593 |
| Belle Fourche | 5,791 | $65,071 |
| Big Sioux Township | 5,152 | $128,005 |
| Dakota Dunes | 3,936 | $136,125 |
| Dell Rapids | 3,852 | $100,170 |
| Hot Springs | 3,670 | $66,338 |
| Hartford | 3,635 | $99,893 |
| Milbank | 3,512 | $56,011 |
Source: PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025); American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Census population estimates
What counties are in South Dakota?
South Dakota has 66 counties. Minnehaha County is the largest with 212,691 residents in 2025; Jones County is the smallest with 913.
Source: PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025), U.S. Census Bureau · Census population estimates
Who lives in South Dakota?
The median resident of South Dakota is 38.0 years old; 24.2% are under 18 and 18.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.8%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 7.1%. 4.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 ±0.2 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 24.2% ±0.1 pts | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.0% ±0.1 pts | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.8% ±0.1 pts | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.8% ±0.1 pts | −2.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.1% ±0.1 pts | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4% ±0.1 pts | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 7.1% ±0.1 pts | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±0.2 pts | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.1 pts | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.0% ±0.2 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.1% ±0.3 pts | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9% ±0.3 pts | – |
| With a disability | 12.5% ±0.3 pts | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.0% ±0.3 pts | −0.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.2% ±0.3 pts | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.9% ±0.5 pts | +3.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.0% ±0.4 pts | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2% ±0.2 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in South Dakota earn?
Half of South Dakota's 365,544 households earn less than $75,081 a year (±$888). In 2015-2019 the median was $71,719 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,362 after inflation. 11.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,081 ±$888 | +$3,362 |
| Mean household income | $98,527 ±$1,298 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,550 ±$520 | +$2,678 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.9% ±0.4 pts | −1.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.3% ±0.8 pts | −3.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.9% ±0.3 pts | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.6% ±0.3 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in South Dakota?
Owners occupy 68.6% of South Dakota's occupied homes and renters 31.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $257,400 by its owner (±$3,051). The median renter pays $946 a month including utilities, and 30.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $257,400 ±$3,051 | +$51,751 |
| Median gross rent | $946 ±$11 | +$27 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.4% ±1.2 pts | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,680 ±$15 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.6% ±0.5 pts | +0.8 pts |
| Housing units | 408,584 ±422 | +16,369 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8% ±0.2 pts | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.0% ±0.7 pts | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.9% ±0.4 pts | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.2% ±0.3 pts | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3% ±0.2 pts | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.8% ±0.4 pts | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is South Dakota building?
Builders took permits for 5,305 new housing units in South Dakota in 2025 (3,296 single-family), 5.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files summed by state, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in South Dakota get to work?
77.0% of South Dakota's workers drive alone and 9.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.
| Measure | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.2% ±0.3 pts | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% ±0.2 pts | −0.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.0% ±0.5 pts | – |
| Carpooled | 8.3% ±0.3 pts | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.1 pts | – |
| Walked | 3.1% ±0.3 pts | – |
| Worked from home | 9.7% ±0.3 pts | +3.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.8 min ±0.2 | +0.6 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections