Population
South Dakota has a population of 900,000 as of 2026, making it the #46 most populous state in the United States.
South Dakota Rankings
Where South Dakota places in every state-level dataset StatsPanda tracks. Each row opens the full ranking.
South Dakota Population Clock
These statistics show the estimated changes to South Dakota's population based on birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns from US Census Bureau data.
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| South Dakota Population (as of 7/14/2026) | 900,000 |
| Births per day | 25 |
| Deaths per day | 20 |
| Net migrations per day | 5 |
| Net population change per day | +10 |
| Population change since Jan 1st | — |
Demographics
The racial composition of South Dakota includes 82.17% White, 2.19% Black or African American, 1.43% Asian, 1.19% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
Population by Race
Why is Hispanic separate? Following U.S. Census methodology, Hispanic or Latino origin is an ethnicity, not a race — people of Hispanic origin may be of any race. “All” shows the racial breakdown; the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic views show ethnicity, so the two groupings overlap rather than adding up to 100%.
| Race | Population ↓ | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 739,560 | 82.17% |
| Native American | 71,718 | 7.97% |
| Two or more races | 44,912 | 4.99% |
| Black or African American | 19,737 | 2.19% |
| Asian | 12,892 | 1.43% |
| Other race | 10,682 | 1.19% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 499 | 0.06% |
South Dakota Marital Status
Population by Age and Gender
Median Age
Geography
South Dakota has seen steady population growth over recent years. According to the 2020 census, the state had a population of 886,667, which marked an increase of 8.9% since 2010. This growth rate outpaced the national average and ranked South Dakota 14th among all states in that time period. It will be telling to see if this trend continues when data from the 2030 census is released. For now, the latest figures seem to suggest a healthy trajectory for the state in terms of attracting and retaining residents over the last decade.
Economics and Income Statistics
South Dakota's average per capita income is $36,850. Household income levels show a median of $69,457. The poverty rate stands at 12.26%.
Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
| Name | Median ↓ | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Married Families | $88,996 | $113,915 |
| Families | $88,996 | $117,475 |
| Households | $69,457 | — |
| Non Families | $41,562 | $59,018 |
Income & Poverty
Largest Cities in South Dakota
The largest city in South Dakota is Sioux Falls with a population of 190,750.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | 190,750 |
| 2 | Rapid City | 77,703 |
| 3 | Aberdeen | 28,315 |
| 4 | Brookings | 24,723 |
| 5 | Watertown | 22,053 |
| 6 | Mitchell | 15,478 |
| 7 | Yankton | 14,654 |
| 8 | Pierre | 14,100 |
| 9 | Huron | 13,477 |
| 10 | Vermillion | 10,945 |
Population by County
South Dakota's population shows distinct regional patterns, with the most populous counties concentrated in metropolitan areas. The most dramatic growth is occurring in suburban areas, while rural and some urban areas show more mixed trends.
Counties in South Dakota →Population by County
Population Growth by County
Population Density by County
Research Papers Related to South Dakota
Sources
Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
Detailed demographic and economic data for South Dakota.
Quick access to state-level statistics and comparisons.
Data Methodology
Population totals are sourced from the latest available US Census Bureau data. Totals for the current year are projected using each state's USCB data and previous year population growth rate. Growth rates are calculated based on births, deaths, and net migration estimates.