Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
A town of 257, settled in 1892.
24% of residents live below the poverty line in Bonesteel, against 9.5% in South Dakota’s towns and 9.6% across U.S. towns. No town among the 36 in South Dakota we compare has a lower share of adults with a bachelor’s degree than Bonesteel. Bonesteel has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 563 in 1910, a peak of 652 in 1920, 258 in 2020. The archive holds 1 old photo or paper going back to 2004 and 2 maps from 1964 on.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Bonesteel, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.
Ordered by what stands out in Bonesteel.
Bonesteel’s median household income is $43,000, where South Dakota’s towns sit at $72,000 and U.S. towns at $80,000. Bonesteel’s average trip to work is 14 minutes. Most working residents leave Bonesteel for work: only 6% work in town.
| Bonesteel | South Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 14 minutes | 17 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 6.1% | 29% | 8% |
| Median household income | $43,000 | $72,000 | $80,000 |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Its public schools are run by the South Central School District 26-5. Its one school is below.
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Central Elementary - 03Largest public elementary schoolGrades PK–5 | Grades PK–5 | 52 | B− |
NCES · EDFacts
Bonesteel has cold, snowy winters and warm summers. The July high in Bonesteel is 87°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
44% of adults have high blood pressure in Bonesteel. No town among the 36 in South Dakota we compare has a lower share of adults who have been diagnosed with depression than Bonesteel. 16% of adults have diabetes in Bonesteel.
| Bonesteel | South Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 44% | 31% | 35% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 16% | 10% | 12% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 19% | 16% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 22% | 23% |
| What stands out | Bonesteel | SD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer binge drinkers | 14.3% | 18.8% |
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 82.5% | 75.9% |
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 22.5% | 12.7% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 57% of U.S. communities.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
None within 15 miles of Bonesteel; the nearest are
About 0 of every 100 Bonesteel residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across South Dakota.
Where Bonesteel’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
City in South Dakota, United States
Bonesteel is a city in Gregory County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 258 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Bonesteel has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.