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CITY

Wasta

South Dakota · 60 residents (2025 est.) · 0.192 sq mi
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The short version

Wasta has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $34,375. Population has declined 7% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $108,800. With a median age of 62.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 54% less than the South Dakota median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 62.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 106%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
70
−7%since 2000
from 75 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
365 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 391 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
62.6
+63%since 2000
from 38.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:60 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2958871161451990201020202024Wasta
202470
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,375
−28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,375 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,064
+116%since 2000
from $13,888 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
12.8%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.6%
−7.2 ptssince 2000
from 15.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.351
+13%since 2010
from 0.309 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information33.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food14.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance9.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical9.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade7.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade2.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$108,800
+106%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$775
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
84.6%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 88.6% in 2000
15.4% rent
Vacancy rate
18.8%
−32.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
0.0%
−13.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
100.0%
+100.0 ptssince 2010
from 0.0% in 2010
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+188%since 2000
from 1.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
55
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wasta on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(73)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(1)
Asian1.3%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.5%(5)
2024
White, non-Hispanic82.9%(58)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other14.3%(10)
Diversity Score36.5%(26)
Diversity Score
37
+459%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.5%
+33.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.8%
+16.8 ptssince 2000
from 80.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.9 min
−39%since 2000
from 35.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
85.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.8%
−11.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% 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
5.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−13.3 ptssince 2011
from 13.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.7%
+15.8 ptssince 2011
from 50.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.1%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.4%
−11.9 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.0%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
60.0%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
15.9%
−38.7 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2012
from 17.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.1%
−85.2 ptssince 2013
from 92.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.7%
+5.4 ptssince 2017
from 84.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.5%
−1.5 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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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wasta, South Dakota?

Wasta, South Dakota has about 70 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Wasta, South Dakota earns about $34,375 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wasta, South Dakota expensive?

In Wasta, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $108,800, and the typical rent is about $775 a month.

How educated are people in Wasta, South Dakota?

About 36.5% of adults age 25 and over in Wasta, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wasta, South Dakota?

About 8.6% of people in Wasta, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wasta, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Wasta, South Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 5 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

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