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CITY

Spearfish

South Dakota · 14,154 residents (2025 est.) · 17.236 sq mi
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The short version

Spearfish has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $65,688. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 50% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $346,200.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.0
US median: 38.9
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 123%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,930
+50%since 2000
from 8,606 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
750 / sq mi
+50%since 2000
from 499 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.0
+26%since 2000
from 31.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:14,154 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K8K10K12K14K1990201020202024Spearfish
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,688
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,887 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$45,171
+173%since 2000
from $16,565 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
45.9%
+31.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.2%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 17.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.476
−6%since 2010
from 0.508 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade7.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Wholesale trade4.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing2.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$346,200
+123%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $85,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$963
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $392 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
49.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 49.1% in 2000
50.4% rent
Vacancy rate
8.7%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.9%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 40.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.3
+66%since 2000
from 3.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
74
RELATED:See current rent listings in Spearfish on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.4%(8,121)
Black0.3%(24)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(149)
Asian0.3%(30)
Other0%
Diversity Score6%(515)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.3%(11,290)
Black0.2%(25)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(500)
Asian0.6%(76)
Other8%(1,039)
Diversity Score28.7%(3,711)
Diversity Score
29
+380%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.8%
+13.0 ptssince 2000
from 28.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.5%
+8.6 ptssince 2000
from 86.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
16.3%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.3 min
+27%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 73.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.7%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.6%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
7.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% 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
7.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.2%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 5.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 67.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.1%
−27.2 ptssince 2009
from 67.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.6% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 55.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.7%
−34.6 ptssince 2009
from 43.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2012
from 13.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.4%
−78.6 ptssince 2013
from 87.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.2%
+12.3 ptssince 2017
from 79.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 96.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 1.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Spearfish, South Dakota?

Spearfish, South Dakota has about 12,930 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Spearfish, South Dakota earns about $65,688 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Spearfish, South Dakota expensive?

In Spearfish, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $346,200, and the typical rent is about $963 a month.

How educated are people in Spearfish, South Dakota?

About 41.8% of adults age 25 and over in Spearfish, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Spearfish, South Dakota?

About 15.2% of people in Spearfish, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Spearfish, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Spearfish, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,964 residents, a change of about 86 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 →

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