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CITY

Willow Lake

South Dakota · 271 residents (2025 est.) · 0.372 sq mi
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The short version

Willow Lake has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $72,875. Population has grown 47% since 2000. 19% 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 $149,000. At a median age of 17.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 17.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 146%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
433
+47%since 2000
from 294 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,164 / sq mi
+47%since 2000
from 790 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
17.5
−54%since 2000
from 38.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:271 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2352963574184791990201020202024Willow Lake
2024433
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$72,875
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,625 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,581
+44%since 2000
from $13,585 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.3%
+23.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
1.2%
−18.9 ptssince 2000
from 20.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.244
−39%since 2010
from 0.399 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade13.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing10.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Information10%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction6.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services2.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services1.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical0.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$149,000
+146%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$815
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $275 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
62.2%
−16.4 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
37.8% rent
Vacancy rate
9.0%
−9.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
4.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+89%since 2000
from 1.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
76
RELATED:See current rent listings in Willow Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.9%(276)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.7%(410)
Black3.7%(16)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(7)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score12.7%(55)
Diversity Score
13
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.7%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.9%
+16.4 ptssince 2000
from 79.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.5 min
+76%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.9%
+15.5 ptssince 2009
from 56.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.9%
−17.5 ptssince 2009
from 28.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.6%
+15.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.6%
−11.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% 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%
−7.0 ptssince 2011
from 7.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.1%
−7.2 ptssince 2011
from 67.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.3%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
48.6%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
60.7%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Female
39.3%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.5%
−13.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.9%
−41.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
5.5%
−10.1 ptssince 2012
from 15.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.5%
−72.1 ptssince 2013
from 75.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.9%
+14.1 ptssince 2017
from 68.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2016
from 97.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 1.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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WILLOW LAKE VS
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WILLOW LAKE VS
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WILLOW LAKE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Willow Lake, South Dakota?

Willow Lake, South Dakota has about 433 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Willow Lake, South Dakota?

The typical household in Willow Lake, South Dakota earns about $72,875 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Willow Lake, South Dakota expensive?

In Willow Lake, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $149,000, and the typical rent is about $815 a month.

How educated are people in Willow Lake, South Dakota?

About 18.7% of adults age 25 and over in Willow Lake, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Willow Lake, South Dakota?

About 1.2% of people in Willow Lake, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Willow Lake, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Willow Lake, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 122 residents, a change of about 39 percent over that period.

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

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