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CITY

Bristol

South Dakota · 278 residents (2025 est.) · 0.522 sq mi
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The short version

Bristol has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,250. Population has fallen 27% since 2000, a loss of 102 residents. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $76,400. With a median age of 57.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 25% less than the South Dakota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 57.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 76%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
275
−27%since 2000
from 377 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
527 / sq mi
−27%since 2000
from 722 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
57.3
+7%since 2000
from 53.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:278 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2222773323864411990201020202024Bristol
2024275
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,250
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,031 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,327
+86%since 2000
from $19,006 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
41.1%
+24.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.382
−13%since 2010
from 0.438 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade20.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information17.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing15.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction15.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$76,400
+76%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$729
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $270 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.8%
−8.2 ptssince 2000
from 80.0% in 2000
28.2% rent
Vacancy rate
23.5%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
6.7%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
22.9%
+17.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.4
+83%since 2000
from 0.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
47
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bristol on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic100%(377)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92%(253)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(6)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.8%(16)
Diversity Score18.7%(51)
Diversity Score
19
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.4%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.0%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 76.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.6 min
+35%since 2000
from 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.4%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 70.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.5%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.5%
+6.6 ptssince 2011
from 1.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.2%
+8.2 ptssince 2011
from 54.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
5.7%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
19.3%
−42.3 ptssince 2009
from 61.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.6%
+20.2 ptssince 2009
from 35.5% in 2009
Female
44.4%
−20.2 ptssince 2009
from 64.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.6%
−26.1 ptssince 2009
from 34.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2012
from 14.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.0%
−80.5 ptssince 2013
from 93.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.7%
+28.5 ptssince 2017
from 56.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2016
from 96.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2016
from 1.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Bristol to nearby cities

BRISTOL VS
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Income$64,405+14%
Home value$217,300+184%
Population27,961+9958%
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BRISTOL VS
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Income$69,600+24%
Home value$229,400+200%
Population23,736+8438%
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BRISTOL VS
Huron
Income$61,452+9%
Home value$159,000+108%
Population14,607+5154%
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BRISTOL VS
Wahpeton
Income$62,750+12%
Home value$171,300+124%
Population8,141+2828%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bristol, South Dakota?

Bristol, South Dakota has about 275 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Bristol, South Dakota earns about $56,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bristol, South Dakota expensive?

In Bristol, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $76,400, and the typical rent is about $729 a month.

How educated are people in Bristol, South Dakota?

About 8.4% of adults age 25 and over in Bristol, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bristol, South Dakota?

About 8.3% of people in Bristol, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bristol, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Bristol, South Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 125 residents, a change of about -31 percent over that period.

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

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