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CITY

Wolsey

South Dakota · 471 residents (2025 est.) · 2.265 sq mi
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The short version

Wolsey has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $57,500. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 66% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $101,200. At a median age of 33.8, 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 33.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 54%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
692
+66%since 2000
from 418 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
306 / sq mi
+66%since 2000
from 185 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
33.8
−21%since 2000
from 42.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:471 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2053525006477941990201020202024Wolsey
2024692
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,500
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,313 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,637
+107%since 2000
from $14,319 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.3%
+13.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.4%
−2.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.394
−9%since 2010
from 0.431 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade11.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade9%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services1.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing0.9%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$101,200
+54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$739
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $456 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.2%
−7.4 ptssince 2000
from 81.6% in 2000
25.8% rent
Vacancy rate
2.4%
−16.6 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
6.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.6%
+40.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
+73%since 2000
from 1.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
67
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wolsey on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99%(414)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.2%(5)
2024
White, non-Hispanic79.3%(549)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino18.6%(129)
Asian0%(0)
Other2%(14)
Diversity Score41.9%(290)
Diversity Score
42
+3405%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.5%
+13.5 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
77.8%
−4.7 ptssince 2000
from 82.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 0.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.4 min
+73%since 2000
from 10.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.3%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 74.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.8%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.7%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% 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
2.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 3.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.9%
−6.6 ptssince 2011
from 72.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.0%
−25.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Female
48.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.8%
−43.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
9.1%
−7.0 ptssince 2012
from 16.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.3%
−77.6 ptssince 2013
from 82.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.3%
+24.3 ptssince 2017
from 64.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
87.4%
−6.9 ptssince 2016
from 94.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
11.9%
+6.9 ptssince 2016
from 5.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Wolsey to nearby cities

WOLSEY VS
Huron
Income$61,452+7%
Home value$159,000+57%
Population14,607+3001%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WOLSEY VS
Mitchell
Income$58,620+2%
Home value$192,200+90%
Population15,756+3245%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WOLSEY VS
Aberdeen
Income$64,405+12%
Home value$217,300+115%
Population27,961+5837%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WOLSEY VS
Watertown
Income$69,600+21%
Home value$229,400+127%
Population23,736+4939%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wolsey, South Dakota?

Wolsey, South Dakota has about 692 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Wolsey, South Dakota earns about $57,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wolsey, South Dakota expensive?

In Wolsey, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $101,200, and the typical rent is about $739 a month.

How educated are people in Wolsey, South Dakota?

About 24.5% of adults age 25 and over in Wolsey, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wolsey, South Dakota?

About 6.4% of people in Wolsey, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wolsey, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Wolsey, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 246 residents, a change of about 55 percent over that period.

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

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