SDMap-doton-Whitehorse, 2004
Whitehorse’s story
121 years in pictures
The archive holds 1 old photo or paper going back to 2004.
- 1905Whitehorse is settled
WhitehorseSD
A town settled in 1905, now home to 162 people.
Is Whitehorse a good place to live?
32% of residents live below the poverty line in Whitehorse, above both South Dakota’s towns (9.5%) and U.S. towns (9.6%). No town among the 36 in South Dakota we compare has a lower share of households owning their home than Whitehorse. Whitehorse has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Small town
162 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Getting set up
Moving to Whitehorse: who provides what
Whitehorse is unincorporated, so Dewey County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerMoreau-Grand Electric CoopEIAHIFLD · EIA
WaterTri-County Rural Water SystemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet1 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesDewey CountyDewey County provides services here
Register to voteIn personSouth Dakota has no online registration; you can register in person until 15 days before Election Day or by mail (received 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereDewey County AuditorDewey County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2023
ZIP code5766157661 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Whitehorse.
Climate
Whitehorse has snowy winters and pleasant summers
Whitehorse’s peak summer temperature is 87°F.
41″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter8–30°
Spring32–57°
Summer57–84°
Fall34–60°
Sep 30
typical first frost
May 10
typical last frost
+0.8°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Health
Whitehorse stands out in South Dakota and nationally, with more of its adults who say their health is fair or poor
Whitehorse: 19% of adults binge drink. Of the 36 South Dakota towns we compare, none has a higher share of adults who report frequent physical distress than Whitehorse. 29% of adults in Whitehorse smoke cigarettes; 20% have diabetes.
| Whitehorse | South Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 16% | 19% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 14% | 14% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 10% | 12% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 12% | 14% |
26 measures vs. South Dakota
1 better4 too close to call21 worse
| What stands out | Whitehorse | SD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 6.4% | 9.2% |
| More smokers | 29.4% | 15.2% |
Eagle Butte Indian Health Service Hospital
21.3 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Natural hazards
Whitehorse faces a moderate natural-hazard risk, led by cold waves
Households in Whitehorse have drawn federal disaster aid once, in 2019. Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 55% of U.S. communities. 84% of the town’s expected losses from natural hazards come from cold waves, followed by inland flooding at 9%.
55risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Cold wavesInland flooding
1
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Whitehorse
13pages on Whitehorse
The big questions
Out and about
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Whitehorse; the nearest are
About 7 of every 100 Whitehorse residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across South Dakota.
About Whitehorse
CDP in South Dakota, United States
Whitehorse is a census-designated place (CDP) in Dewey County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 106 at the 2020 census. The community has the name of Native American chieftain and winter count keeper Martin White Horse. The town of White Horse was the site of the first translation of White Horse's winter count from Lakota to English. The winter count dated as far back as 1789 and a copy is on permanent display in nearby Timber Lake.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 2.7 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,716 ft
- ZIP code
- 57661
- Area code
- 605
Questions about Whitehorse
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Whitehorse, SD a good place to live?
Whitehorse has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.