Box Elder, South Dakota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Box Elder, South Dakota is 12,457 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 11th-largest city in South Dakota. The median household income is $73,698, the median home value is $271,800, and the median age is 28.6.
The population has grown 75.6% since 2010 (7,907 → 13,887).
12,457
Population
840
People / sq mi
$73,698
Median Income
$271,800
Median Home Value
Box Elder covers 14.8 sq mi of land at 840 people per square mile.
About Box Elder, SD
Box Elder is a city in South Dakota with a population of 12,457. It ranks #11 among cities in South Dakota by population. The median age is 28.6, younger than the national median. The population is 51.3% male and 48.7% female.
The median household income in Box Elder is $73,698, near the US median of $74,580. 7.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $271,800, with monthly rent averaging $1,354. The homeownership rate of 48.7% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Box Elder reflects 29.8% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 6.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 19.6 minutes each way.
Box Elder city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Box Elder city had a population of 7,907 in 2010 and 13,887 in 2024, a 75.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 13,887 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 4.20%.
13,887
Population (2024)
7,907
Population (2010)
13,887
Peak (2024)
4.20%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 7,907 |
| 2011 | 8,527 |
| 2012 | 8,805 |
| 2013 | 9,110 |
| 2014 | 9,268 |
| 2015 | 9,337 |
| 2016 | 9,421 |
| 2017 | 9,606 |
| 2018 | 9,903 |
| 2019 | 10,119 |
| 2020 | 11,946 |
| 2021 | 12,342 |
| 2022 | 12,555 |
| 2023 | 13,850 |
| 2024 | 13,887 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 79.2% |
| Black or African American | 2.3% |
| Asian | 0.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$73,698
Median Household Income
$31,248
Per Capita Income
7.0%
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$271,800
Median Home Value
$1,354
Median Rent
48.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
94.2%
High School+
29.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.6%
Drive Alone
76.8%
Public Transit
6.2%
Work From Home
19.6 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
53.2%
Foreign Born
97.0%
Non-English at Home
22.2%
Veterans
11.2%
With Disability
89.9%
Health Insurance
98.4%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 26.0% |
| Construction | 12.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.8% |
| Public Administration | 8.3% |
| Information | 6.9% |
| Manufacturing | 6.6% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.5% |
| Retail Trade | 4.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.8% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.9% |
Largest cities in South Dakota
Largest counties in South Dakota
Part of South Dakota
Metro areas in South Dakota
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Box Elder, South Dakota has a population of 12,457 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 11th-largest city in South Dakota.
The median household income in Box Elder, South Dakota is $73,698, with 7.0% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Box Elder, South Dakota is $271,800, with median monthly rent at $1,354 and a homeownership rate of 48.7%.
The median age in Box Elder, South Dakota is 28.6 years. The population is 51.3% male and 48.7% female.
The population has grown 75.6% since 2010 (7,907 → 13,887).
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Full rankings of South Dakota cities by population
Statewide data for South Dakota
Population, race, income, age, and trends across South Dakota
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.