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CITY

Mellette

South Dakota · 194 residents (2025 est.) · 0.256 sq mi
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The short version

Mellette is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $106,964. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 49 residents. 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 $201,000. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 42% more than the South Dakota median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 206%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
199
−20%since 2000
from 248 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
777 / sq mi
−20%since 2000
from 969 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.4
+17%since 2000
from 33.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:194 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1341651962272581990201020202024Mellette
2024199
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$106,964
+72%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,107 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,074
+267%since 2000
from $11,467 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
68.4%
+54.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.1%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 12.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.334
−10%since 2010
from 0.373 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services22%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration19%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing16%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction16%
US avg: 1.2%
Information8%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing6%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade3%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
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
$201,000
+206%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
85.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 82.2% in 2000
14.5% rent
Vacancy rate
16.5%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
9.1%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+78%since 2000
from 1.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
72
RELATED:See current rent listings in Mellette on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.8%(245)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1%(3)
2024
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(196)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.5%(3)
Diversity Score3.7%(7)
Diversity Score
4
+267%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 95.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.2%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.3 min
+24%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.0%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 69.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.0%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.0%
+9.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.0%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 0.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
71.4%
+7.7 ptssince 2011
from 63.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.0%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
63.0%
+20.4 ptssince 2009
from 42.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.2%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 55.5% in 2009
Female
54.8%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 44.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.4%
−43.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.6%
−2.4 ptssince 2012
from 14.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.5%
−89.0 ptssince 2013
from 91.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
100.0%
+18.3 ptssince 2017
from 81.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Mellette to nearby cities

MELLETTE VS
Aberdeen
Income$64,405−40%
Home value$217,300+8%
Population27,961+14313%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MELLETTE VS
Huron
Income$61,452−43%
Home value$159,000−21%
Population14,607+7429%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MELLETTE VS
Watertown
Income$69,600−35%
Home value$229,400+14%
Population23,736+12135%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MELLETTE VS
Mitchell
Income$58,620−45%
Home value$192,200−4%
Population15,756+8022%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Mellette, South Dakota?

Mellette, South Dakota has about 199 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Mellette, South Dakota earns about $106,964 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Mellette, South Dakota expensive?

In Mellette, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $201,000.

How educated are people in Mellette, South Dakota?

About 20.0% of adults age 25 and over in Mellette, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Mellette, South Dakota?

About 10.1% of people in Mellette, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Mellette, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Mellette, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 44 residents, a change of about 28 percent over that period.

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

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