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CITY · 2020 ACS

Clear Lake

South Dakota · 1,218 residents · 3.03 sq mi
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The short version

Clear Lake has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $60,000. Population has declined 9% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $122,800. With a median age of 44.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Poverty is rare here, at 5.8% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 74%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,218
−9%since 2000
from 1,335 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
402 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 441 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.5
+6%since 2000
from 41.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K1K1990201020202024Clear Lake
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,000
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,522 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,144
+79%since 2000
from $15,755 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
39.0%
+22.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.8%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade25.5%
US avg: 10%
Information8.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction7.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food4.1%
US avg: 2%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services2.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$122,800
+74%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$539
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $302 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 71.9% in 2000
29.9% rent
Afford Score
2.0
+38%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic95.3%(1,161)
Black0.4%(5)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(17)
Asian0%(0)
Other1%(12)
Diversity Score7%(85)
Diversity Score
7
+521%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.9%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 15.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.7%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 78.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.4 min
+2%since 2000
from 14.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.8%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 88.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.5%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 2.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.5%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 64.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.3%
−29.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
50.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.5%
−85.6 ptssince 2013
from 91.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Clear Lake to nearby cities

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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 1,218 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Clear Lake, South Dakota earns about $60,000 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 $122,800, and the typical rent is about $539 a month.

How educated are people in Clear Lake, South Dakota?

About 23.9% 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 5.8% 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 shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 29 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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

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