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CITY

Ortley

South Dakota · 55 residents (2025 est.) · 2.244 sq mi
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The short version

Ortley has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $31,806. Population has grown 35% since 2000. 15% 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 $44,200. The poverty rate of 47.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 58% less than the South Dakota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 143%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
73
+35%since 2000
from 54 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
33 / sq mi
+35%since 2000
from 24 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.3
−6%since 2000
from 45.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:55 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
32435566771990201020202024Ortley
202473
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,806
−26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,438 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,149
+113%since 2000
from $11,327 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
14.3%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
47.9%
+35.0 ptssince 2000
from 12.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.545
+13%since 2010
from 0.484 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing27.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Information22.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Construction18.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing9.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade4.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$44,200
+143%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $9,999 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
74.3%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 64.0% in 2000
25.7% rent
Vacancy rate
12.5%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.1%
+23.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.4
+226%since 2000
from 0.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
41
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ortley on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic85.2%(46)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.9%(70)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.1%(3)
Diversity Score9.9%(7)
Diversity Score
10
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.6%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.7%
+28.5 ptssince 2000
from 63.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.2%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.2 min
−25%since 2000
from 24.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
95.5%
+40.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−30.0 ptssince 2009
from 30.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.5%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% 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
0.0%
−25.0 ptssince 2009
from 25.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
46.3%
−23.7 ptssince 2011
from 70.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
4.5%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.7%
−52.3 ptssince 2009
from 75.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
67.1%
+25.1 ptssince 2009
from 42.0% in 2009
Female
32.9%
−25.1 ptssince 2009
from 58.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
21.2%
−20.7 ptssince 2009
from 41.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
6.8%
−2.1 ptssince 2012
from 8.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.7%
−81.6 ptssince 2013
from 95.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
31.4%
+11.4 ptssince 2017
from 20.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
Unchangedsince 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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ORTLEY VS
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ORTLEY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ortley, South Dakota?

Ortley, South Dakota has about 73 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Ortley, South Dakota earns about $31,806 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ortley, South Dakota expensive?

In Ortley, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $44,200.

How educated are people in Ortley, South Dakota?

About 14.6% of adults age 25 and over in Ortley, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ortley, South Dakota?

About 47.9% of people in Ortley, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ortley, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Ortley, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 27 residents, a change of about 59 percent over that period.

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

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