Living in Fort Thompson, South Dakota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Fort Thompson · Census data 2020–2024
Fort Thompson has 1,147 residents with a median age of 22.8. The median household income is $47,159 (37% lower than the South Dakota median), the median home value is $150,000, the median rent is $563/month.
Fort Thompson is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Fort Thompson at a glance
- Population
- 1,147
- Median age
- 22.8State: 38
- Median household income
- $47,159State: $75,081
- Median home value
- $150,000State: $257,400
- Median rent
- $563/moState: $946
- Homeowners
- 39.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 7.2%
- Average commute
- 11 min
Is Fort Thompson a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 42% lower than the state median; an average commute of 11 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 37% lower than the South Dakota median; unemployment of 10.5%; a poverty rate of 41.6%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Fort Thompson
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Fort Thompson the median home value is $150,000, 55% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $563 per month, which is 22.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay — a month in housing costs.
Fort Thompson median household income
The median household income in Fort Thompson is $47,159 and the income per person is $15,924. 41.6% of residents live below the poverty line (South Dakota: 11.9%).
Housing in Fort Thompson: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 386
- Owner-occupied
- 39.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 60.8%
- Vacant
- 12.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 3.40
Fort Thompson demographics
- Population
- 1,147
- Median age
- 22.8
- Under 18
- 37.1%
- 65 and older
- 10%
- Households
- 337
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 10.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Fort Thompson ›
Education in Fort Thompson
7.2% of adults 25 and older in Fort Thompson have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Dakota: 31.9%), and 0% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Fort Thompson
- Unemployment rate
- 10.5%State: 2.9%
- Average commute
- 11 minState: 18 min
- Work from home
- 2.3%
- Drive alone
- 90.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 4.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 65.3%
Fort Thompson vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Thompson | 1,147 | $47,159 | $150,000 | $563 |
| Lower Brule | 743 | $28,750 | $21,900 | $475 |
| West Brule | 471 | $37,917 | — | $529 |
| Reliance | 211 | $55,313 | $123,200 | — |
| Oacoma | 548 | $73,333 | $171,700 | $883 |
| Chamberlain | 2,588 | $76,761 | $224,300 | $818 |
| Pukwana | 300 | $63,750 | $100,000 | $1,063 |
| Kennebec | 296 | $74,896 | $155,700 | — |
| Kimball | 457 | $52,917 | $152,800 | $814 |
More for people moving to Fort Thompson
Fort Thompson ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Fort Thompson: FAQ
What is the median household income in Fort Thompson, SD?
The median household income in Fort Thompson is $47,159, 37% lower than the South Dakota median of $75,081 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Fort Thompson?
The median home value in Fort Thompson is $150,000, compared with $257,400 in South Dakota.
How much is rent in Fort Thompson?
The median gross rent in Fort Thompson is $563 per month, about 22.9% of household income.
Is Fort Thompson, SD a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 42% lower than the state median; an average commute of 11 minutes. Minuses: median household income 37% lower than the South Dakota median; unemployment of 10.5%; a poverty rate of 41.6%.
What is the median age in Fort Thompson?
The median age in Fort Thompson is 22.8 years (South Dakota: 38).
How long is the commute in Fort Thompson?
The average commute to work in Fort Thompson is 11 minutes; 2.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Fort Thompson?
The unemployment rate in Fort Thompson is 10.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Fort Thompson?
7.2% of adults in Fort Thompson have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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