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CITY

Custer

South Dakota · 1,803 residents (2025 est.) · 2.48 sq mi
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The short version

Custer has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $78,369. Population has grown 26% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $235,600. With a median age of 51.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 51.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 98%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,341
+26%since 2000
from 1,860 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
944 / sq mi
+26%since 2000
from 750 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
51.2
+23%since 2000
from 41.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,803 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K2K3K1990201020202024Custer
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$78,369
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,739 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$48,209
+180%since 2000
from $17,216 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
52.2%
+33.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.2%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.489
+8%since 2010
from 0.455 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing13.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction12%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance11.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade10.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Education & health services7.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Information5.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade2.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing1.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$235,600
+98%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$968
+89%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $281 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
69.5%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 60.8% in 2000
30.5% rent
Vacancy rate
15.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.8%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 23.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
30.1%
−11.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+46%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in Custer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.9%(1,766)
Black0.3%(5)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(28)
Asian0.2%(3)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.9%(91)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.4%(2,022)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(52)
Asian1.2%(29)
Other10.2%(238)
Diversity Score30.4%(711)
Diversity Score
30
+518%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 22.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 86.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.7 min
+54%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.8%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 76.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.6%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2011
from 1.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.4%
−7.6 ptssince 2011
from 60.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.0%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.9%
−28.3 ptssince 2009
from 64.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.8%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Female
55.2%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.1%
−37.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.2%
+5.9 ptssince 2012
from 14.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.7%
−76.3 ptssince 2013
from 88.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.2%
+21.9 ptssince 2017
from 68.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2016
from 99.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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CUSTER VS
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CUSTER VS
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CUSTER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Custer, South Dakota?

Custer, South Dakota has about 2,341 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Custer, South Dakota earns about $78,369 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Custer, South Dakota expensive?

In Custer, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $235,600, and the typical rent is about $968 a month.

How educated are people in Custer, South Dakota?

About 26.1% of adults age 25 and over in Custer, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Custer, South Dakota?

About 14.2% of people in Custer, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Custer, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Custer, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 600 residents, a change of about 34 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 →