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CITY · 2020 ACS

Box Elder

South Dakota · 11,746 residents · 14.753 sq mi
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The short version

Box Elder has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $56,429. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 8,905 residents. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $186,000. At a median age of 27.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 27.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 132%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,746
+313%since 2000
from 2,841 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
796 / sq mi
+313%since 2000
from 193 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
27.8
+6%since 2000
from 26.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K5K8K11K14K1990201020202024Box Elder
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,429
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,344 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,489
+93%since 2000
from $12,692 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.9%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.6%
−7.3 ptssince 2000
from 15.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8.9%
US avg: 10%
Other services8.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration6.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$186,000
+132%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,058
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $504 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
43.4%
−19.1 ptssince 2000
from 62.4% in 2000
56.6% rent
Afford Score
3.3
+100%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Box Elder on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.9%(2,327)
Black2.2%(62)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(101)
Asian1.9%(55)
Other0%
Diversity Score20.2%(573)
2020
White, non-Hispanic71%(8,340)
Black3.4%(402)
Hispanic / Latino7.7%(908)
Asian1.8%(216)
Other13.2%(1,546)
Diversity Score55%(6,455)
Diversity Score
55
+172%since 2000
from 20 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.9%
+19.8 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.7%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 86.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.0%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 1.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.3 min
+83%since 2000
from 10.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.3%
+9.3 ptssince 2009
from 73.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 7.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
78.2%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 79.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.7%
−33.9 ptssince 2009
from 60.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Female
47.9%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.5%
−73.7 ptssince 2013
from 84.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Box Elder to nearby cities

BOX ELDER VS
Rapid City
Income$70,870+26%
Home value$299,400+61%
Population80,589+478%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BOX ELDER VS
Spearfish
Income$65,688+16%
Home value$346,200+86%
Population14,154+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Box Elder, South Dakota?

Box Elder, South Dakota has about 11,746 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Box Elder, South Dakota?

The typical household in Box Elder, South Dakota earns about $56,429 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Box Elder, South Dakota expensive?

In Box Elder, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $186,000, and the typical rent is about $1,058 a month.

How educated are people in Box Elder, South Dakota?

About 27.9% of adults age 25 and over in Box Elder, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Box Elder, South Dakota?

About 8.6% of people in Box Elder, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Box Elder, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Box Elder, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,066 residents, a change of about 338 percent over that period.

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

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