Rank #46 by Population · Updated April 2026
South Dakota Population 2026
The population of South Dakota is 899,194 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 46th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $72,421, the median home value is $236,800, and the median age is 37.7.
South Dakota's population has grown 58.4% since 1910 (583,888 → 924,669).
899,194
Population
12
People / sq mi
$72,421
Median Income
37.7
Median Age
South Dakota covers 75,808 sq mi of land at a density of 11.9 people per square mile.
About South Dakota
South Dakota is a US state with a population of 899,194. It ranks #46 among US states by population. The median age is 37.7, younger than the national median. The population is 50.7% male and 49.3% female.
The median household income in South Dakota is $72,421, near the US median of $74,580. 7.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $236,800, with monthly rent averaging $912. The homeownership rate of 68.6% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in South Dakota reflects 31.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 9.3% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 17.6 minutes each way.
South Dakota, #46 by population
South Dakota Population History (1910-2024)
The state of South Dakota had a population of 583,888 in 1910 and 924,669 in 2024, a 58.4% growth over 114 years. The peak was 924,669 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.55%.
924,669
Population (2024)
583,888
Population (1910)
924,669
Peak (2024)
0.55%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 583,888 |
| 1920 | 636,547 |
| 1930 | 692,849 |
| 1940 | 642,961 |
| 1950 | 652,740 |
| 1960 | 680,514 |
| 1970 | 665,507 |
| 1980 | 690,768 |
| 1990 | 696,004 |
| 2000 | 754,844 |
| 2010 | 814,180 |
| 2020 | 886,667 |
| 2020 | 887,948 |
| 2021 | 896,492 |
| 2022 | 909,723 |
| 2023 | 918,305 |
| 2024 | 924,669 |
Age Distribution
Male: 50.7% · Female: 49.3%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 81.5% |
| Black or African American | 2.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 7.7% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.1% |
Economy & Income
$72,421
Median Household Income
$38,880
Per Capita Income
7.4%
Poverty Rate
2.0%
Unemployment Rate
$95,050
Mean Household Income
64.9%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
South Dakota's overall price level is 88.6 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 11.4% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, South Dakota's median household income of $72,421 has the buying power of $81,752 in average-priced areas.
88.6
Price Level (US = 100)
$81,752
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$72,421
Nominal Median Income
Education
93.0%
High School Graduate+
31.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
11,201
Live Births (2022)
12.5
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
64.2%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 76.5% |
| Black or African American | 3.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6.5% |
Housing
$236,800
Median Home Value
$912
Median Rent
402,364
Total Housing Units
68.6%
Owner-Occupied
31.4%
Renter-Occupied
10.9%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
93.3% of South Dakota residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in South Dakota:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 8,356 | 0.99% |
| 2 | Other Asian/Pacific | 882 | 0.10% |
| 3 | Amharic, Somali, or other Afro-Asiatic | 850 | 0.10% |
| 4 | German | 783 | 0.09% |
| 5 | Swahili or other Bantu | 771 | 0.09% |
| 6 | Vietnamese | 623 | 0.07% |
| 7 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 567 | 0.07% |
| 8 | Nepali, Marathi, or other Indic | 472 | 0.06% |
| 9 | Polish | 445 | 0.05% |
| 10 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 366 | 0.04% |
Commute
0.5%
Drive Alone
3.2%
Carpool
9.3%
Work From Home
17.6 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | 197,642 |
| 2 | Rapid City | 76,836 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | 28,297 |
| 4 | Brookings | 23,710 |
| 5 | Watertown | 22,859 |
| 6 | Mitchell | 15,637 |
| 7 | Yankton | 15,501 |
| 8 | Huron | 14,347 |
| 9 | Pierre | 14,008 |
| 10 | Spearfish | 12,551 |
| 11 | Box Elder | 12,457 |
| 12 | Vermillion | 11,800 |
| 13 | Brandon | 10,996 |
Counties in South Dakota
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnehaha County | 200,689 | $76,074 |
| 2 | Pennington County | 112,081 | $70,768 |
| 3 | Lincoln County | 68,286 | $96,552 |
| 4 | Brown County | 38,079 | $70,239 |
| 5 | Brookings County | 34,968 | $67,341 |
| 6 | Meade County | 30,297 | $74,161 |
| 7 | Codington County | 28,556 | $65,080 |
| 8 | Lawrence County | 26,574 | $66,766 |
| 9 | Yankton County | 23,379 | $73,855 |
| 10 | Davison County | 19,936 | $61,401 |
| 11 | Beadle County | 19,279 | $63,082 |
| 12 | Hughes County | 17,732 | $78,981 |
| 13 | Union County | 16,916 | $84,137 |
| 14 | Clay County | 15,133 | $58,794 |
| 15 | Oglala Lakota County | 13,587 | $34,769 |
| 16 | Lake County | 11,052 | $73,792 |
| 17 | Butte County | 10,538 | $67,692 |
| 18 | Roberts County | 10,219 | $63,691 |
| 19 | Todd County | 9,293 | $39,148 |
| 20 | Charles Mix County | 9,281 | $64,850 |
Compare South Dakota
Rankings for South Dakota
Read more about South Dakota
A complete guide to South Dakota demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
South Dakota Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in South Dakota
Congressional districts in South Dakota
Largest school districts in South Dakota
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about South Dakota
Frequently Asked Questions
South Dakota has a population of 899,194 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 46th-most populous state in the United States.
South Dakota is gaining population, with a +58.4% change over the available historical Census record. South Dakota's population has grown 58.4% since 1910 (583,888 → 924,669).
The median household income in South Dakota is $72,421, with a per capita income of $38,880. 7.4% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
81.5% of South Dakota's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 2.2% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 10.1% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
South Dakota is 81.5% White, 2.2% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 10.1% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in South Dakota is 37.7 years. The population is 50.7% male and 49.3% female.
South Dakota's population has grown 58.4% since 1910 (583,888 → 924,669).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. South Dakota's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.