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CITY

Alcester

South Dakota · 776 residents (2025 est.) · 0.734 sq mi
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The short version

Alcester has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $57,000. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $125,800. With a median age of 44.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
989
+12%since 2000
from 880 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,347 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 1,199 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.4
−7%since 2000
from 47.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:776 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6487498519521K1990201020202024Alcester
2024989
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,000
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,432 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,935
+62%since 2000
from $16,593 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.1%
+19.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.4%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.376
−20%since 2010
from 0.471 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade30.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services9.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Information6.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$125,800
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$688
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $359 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
69.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 70.9% in 2000
30.7% rent
Vacancy rate
7.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.0%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
13.9%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
+19%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
55
RELATED:See current rent listings in Alcester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.4%(866)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.9%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.3%(20)
2024
White, non-Hispanic82%(811)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(14)
Asian2.9%(29)
Other13.7%(135)
Diversity Score38.5%(381)
Diversity Score
38
+1597%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.3%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 14.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.1%
+13.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.6%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.9 min
+12%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 76.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.0%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.7%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
7.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2011
from 0.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2011
from 55.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.9%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
23.7%
−39.9 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Female
53.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.2%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.8%
−38.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.9%
+9.3 ptssince 2012
from 12.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.2%
−86.2 ptssince 2013
from 91.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.4%
+18.1 ptssince 2017
from 68.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2016
from 99.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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ALCESTER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Alcester, South Dakota?

Alcester, South Dakota has about 989 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Alcester, South Dakota?

The typical household in Alcester, South Dakota earns about $57,000 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Alcester, South Dakota expensive?

In Alcester, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $125,800, and the typical rent is about $688 a month.

How educated are people in Alcester, South Dakota?

About 20.3% of adults age 25 and over in Alcester, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Alcester, South Dakota?

About 12.4% of people in Alcester, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Alcester, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Alcester, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 153 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Alcester, South Dakota: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy