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CITY

Lead

South Dakota · 3,064 residents (2025 est.) · 2.058 sq mi
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The short version

Lead has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $73,047. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% 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 $189,400. With a median age of 46.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 139%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,006
−1%since 2000
from 3,027 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,461 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 1,471 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.5
+25%since 2000
from 37.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,064 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K4K1990201020202024Lead
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,047
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,485 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,887
+147%since 2000
from $15,726 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
49.1%
+37.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.5%
−5.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.398
+24%since 2010
from 0.320 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade10.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Information7.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade3.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance0.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$189,400
+139%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$835
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $429 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 68.4% in 2000
29.7% rent
Vacancy rate
19.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.5%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
29.1%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 25.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+76%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
66
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lead on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94%(2,845)
Black0.2%(7)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(82)
Asian0.2%(6)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.8%(238)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91.8%(2,761)
Black0.2%(7)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(71)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.6%(167)
Diversity Score19.1%(574)
Diversity Score
19
+143%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.5%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.5%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 83.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.1 min
+54%since 2000
from 13.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.6%
−16.1 ptssince 2009
from 87.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
22.9%
+16.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.2%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 1.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2011
from 67.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.4%
−29.4 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
Female
50.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.0%
−45.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
23.0%
+11.9 ptssince 2012
from 11.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.4%
−72.4 ptssince 2013
from 81.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
79.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2017
from 76.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2016
from 94.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2016
from 2.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Lead to nearby cities

LEAD VS
Spearfish
Income$65,688−10%
Home value$346,200+83%
Population14,154+362%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LEAD VS
Rapid City
Income$70,870−3%
Home value$299,400+58%
Population80,589+2530%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LEAD VS
Box Elder
Income$73,008same
Home value$302,100+60%
Population13,936+355%
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LEAD VS
Gillette
Income$81,316+11%
Home value$264,500+40%
Population34,024+1010%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lead, South Dakota?

Lead, South Dakota has about 3,006 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lead, South Dakota earns about $73,047 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lead, South Dakota expensive?

In Lead, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $189,400, and the typical rent is about $835 a month.

How educated are people in Lead, South Dakota?

About 20.5% of adults age 25 and over in Lead, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lead, South Dakota?

About 7.5% of people in Lead, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lead, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Lead, South Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 626 residents, a change of about -17 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 →

Lead, South Dakota: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy