Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2024 Gazetteer. Rankings among the 50 states.
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
1870–2024Decennial census and Census Bureau estimates.
Population pyramid
South Dakota's civilian population by sex and five-year age group. Choose a year to see how the age structure has changed.
Tap an age group in the pyramid to see its detail.
Under 15
181,621 (19.7%)
15 to 64
566,060 (61.4%)
65 and older
173,800 (18.9%)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, SC-EST2020 and SC-EST2024 age and sex estimates (civilian population, July 1).
Age, sex and longevity
The main indicators describing South Dakota's age structure, sex distribution and life expectancy.
| Median age | 37.9 years | |
| Female | 49.5% | |
| Male | 50.5% | |
| Under 18 | 23.5% | |
| 65 and older | 18.1% | |
| Life expectancy | 77.0 years |
Population, households and density
How many people and households live in South Dakota, how concentrated they are and how the population is changing.
| Total population | 924,000 | 46th in the U.S. |
| Density | 4.6 /km² | 46th in the U.S. |
| Households | 365,000 | |
| Urban population | 58.7% | |
| Growth | +1.1%/yr | 2020–2024 |
Race, ethnicity and origin
South Dakota has the third-largest Native American population share in the country, with nine tribal nations, alongside a heavily German, Norwegian and Dutch settler ancestry and a small but fast-growing Hispanic and African-born community in Sioux Falls.
| White (non-Hispanic) | 81.3% | |
| Native American | 8.7% | 3rd highest share in the U.S. |
| Hispanic or Latino | 5.0% | |
| Black or African American | 2.5% | |
| Asian | 1.8% | |
| Two or more races | 3.2% | |
| Largest ancestries | German, Norwegian, Irish, Dutch | |
| Tribal nations | 9 federally recognised |