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CITY

Lake Preston

South Dakota · 605 residents (2025 est.) · 0.759 sq mi
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The short version

Lake Preston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,396. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 141 residents. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $130,000. With a median age of 49.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 30% less than the South Dakota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 49.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 94%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
596
−19%since 2000
from 737 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
785 / sq mi
−19%since 2000
from 971 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
49.3
+16%since 2000
from 42.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:605 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3664675696707711990201020202024Lake Preston
2024596
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,396
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,125 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,256
+115%since 2000
from $16,426 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.3%
+25.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.0%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.432
+30%since 2010
from 0.332 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade23.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Information7.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$130,000
+94%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$615
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $292 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
61.7%
−9.0 ptssince 2000
from 70.7% in 2000
38.3% rent
Vacancy rate
7.6%
−20.2 ptssince 2009
from 27.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.0%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
69.9%
+57.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.5
+97%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake Preston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98%(722)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(7)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.4%(18)
2024
White, non-Hispanic77.5%(462)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino5.5%(33)
Asian0.3%(2)
Other16.6%(99)
Diversity Score46.1%(274)
Diversity Score
46
+1837%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 15.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.9%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 82.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.4 min
+41%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.4%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 73.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.1%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.8%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
15.2%
+13.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 2.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.6%
−16.6 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.9%
−22.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.1%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Female
56.9%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.8%
−43.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.9%
+11.0 ptssince 2012
from 10.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.7%
−88.6 ptssince 2013
from 93.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.7%
+16.7 ptssince 2017
from 64.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 98.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Preston, South Dakota?

Lake Preston, South Dakota has about 596 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lake Preston, South Dakota earns about $52,396 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lake Preston, South Dakota expensive?

In Lake Preston, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $130,000, and the typical rent is about $615 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Preston, South Dakota?

About 13.7% of adults age 25 and over in Lake Preston, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 17.0% of people in Lake Preston, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lake Preston, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Lake Preston, South Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 67 residents, a change of about -10 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 →

Lake Preston, South Dakota: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy