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CITY

Clear Lake

South Dakota · 1,220 residents (2025 est.) · 3.03 sq mi
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The short version

Clear Lake has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $84,792. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $162,500.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 90%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,327
−1%since 2000
from 1,335 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
438 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 441 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.1
+3%since 2000
from 41.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,220 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K1K1990201020202024Clear Lake
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$84,792
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,522 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,412
+106%since 2000
from $15,755 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
52.0%
+35.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.376
+9%since 2010
from 0.345 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade23.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction6.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance6.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing4.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food3.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$162,500
+90%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$663
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $302 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
73.0%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 71.9% in 2000
27.0% rent
Vacancy rate
16.2%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.8%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
22.9%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+29%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
71
RELATED:See current rent listings in Clear Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.9%(1,320)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.1%(2)
Asian0.3%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.1%(15)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(1,277)
Black0.2%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.3%(4)
Other3.3%(44)
Diversity Score9.1%(121)
Diversity Score
9
+708%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.5%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 15.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.2%
+14.7 ptssince 2000
from 78.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.2%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.2 min
+43%since 2000
from 14.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.3%
−8.5 ptssince 2009
from 88.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.7%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.8%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2011
from 2.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.2%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 64.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.7%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.0%
−24.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
49.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.7%
−39.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.7%
−3.7 ptssince 2012
from 16.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.7%
−86.4 ptssince 2013
from 91.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.6%
+8.5 ptssince 2017
from 75.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 98.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 1.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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CLEAR LAKE VS
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CLEAR LAKE VS
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CLEAR LAKE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Clear Lake, South Dakota?

Clear Lake, South Dakota has about 1,327 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Clear Lake, South Dakota?

The typical household in Clear Lake, South Dakota earns about $84,792 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Clear Lake, South Dakota expensive?

In Clear Lake, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $162,500, and the typical rent is about $663 a month.

How educated are people in Clear Lake, South Dakota?

About 26.5% of adults age 25 and over in Clear Lake, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Clear Lake, South Dakota?

About 9.8% of people in Clear Lake, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Clear Lake, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Clear Lake, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 80 residents, a change of about 6 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 →