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CITY

Bonesteel

South Dakota · 257 residents (2025 est.) · 0.354 sq mi
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The short version

Bonesteel has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,409. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $74,100. With a median age of 47.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 42% less than the South Dakota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 75%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
286
−4%since 2000
from 297 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
808 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 839 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
47.7
−12%since 2000
from 54.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:257 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1982643313974631990201020202024Bonesteel
2024286
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,409
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,389 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,005
+98%since 2000
from $13,621 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
18.4%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
23.5%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.475
+28%since 2010
from 0.372 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade24.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance12.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Information11.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Professional, scientific, technical9.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services3.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade1%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$74,100
+75%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$593
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $273 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
65.8%
−5.7 ptssince 2000
from 71.5% in 2000
34.2% rent
Vacancy rate
21.9%
−15.4 ptssince 2009
from 37.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
8.0%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.5%
+38.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
+93%since 2000
from 0.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
15
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bonesteel on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.2%(268)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0.9%(3)
2024
White, non-Hispanic80.1%(229)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other19.9%(57)
Diversity Score39.9%(114)
Diversity Score
40
+4209%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.1%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.5%
+24.8 ptssince 2000
from 73.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.1%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.0 min
+19%since 2000
from 11.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
65.3%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.6%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.4%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
15.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
14.9%
+10.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.5%
+7.5 ptssince 2011
from 1.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
44.7%
−10.6 ptssince 2011
from 55.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.4%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.8%
−37.2 ptssince 2009
from 64.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
71.0%
+21.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
29.0%
−21.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.2%
−45.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.6%
−5.3 ptssince 2012
from 18.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
16.9%
−70.2 ptssince 2013
from 87.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
68.4%
+10.4 ptssince 2017
from 58.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.7%
−3.4 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bonesteel, South Dakota?

Bonesteel, South Dakota has about 286 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Bonesteel, South Dakota earns about $43,409 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bonesteel, South Dakota expensive?

In Bonesteel, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $74,100, and the typical rent is about $593 a month.

How educated are people in Bonesteel, South Dakota?

About 13.1% of adults age 25 and over in Bonesteel, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bonesteel, South Dakota?

About 23.5% of people in Bonesteel, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bonesteel, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Bonesteel, South Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 20 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

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