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White River, South Dakota

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Population in 2022: 529 (0% urban, 100% rural).
Population change since 2000: -11.5%
 
Males: 251  (47.6%)
Females: 278  (52.4%)
Median resident age:

28.4 years
South Dakota median age:

38.5 years

Zip codes: 57579.

Estimated median household income in 2022: $-669,267,796 (it was $25,500 in 2000)
White River:  $-669,267,796
SD:  $69,728

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $17,442 (it was $12,794 in 2000)

White River city income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $63,622 (it was $28,400 in 2000)
White River:

$63,622
SD:

$245,000

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $65,351; detached houses: $73,501; mobile homes: $48,097

Median gross rent in 2022: $998.

March 2022 cost of living index in White River: 80.0 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 34.8%
(7.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 47.4% for American Indian residents, 57.6% for two or more races residents)

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  • Races in White River, SD (2022)
    • 36552.5%American Indian alone
    • 22632.5%White alone
    • 9213.2%Two or more races
    • 40.6%Black alone

Races in White River detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth



According to our research of South Dakota and other state lists, there were 11 registered sex offenders living in White River, South Dakota as of May 20, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in White River is 55 to 1.


Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
White River, SD forum
Recent posts about White River, South Dakota on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. White River is mentioned 16 times on our forum:
You know you grew up in Rapid if . . .  (135 replies)
Ghost Towns in SD  (87 replies)
good pheasant hunting?  (8 replies)
Is This True Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Is The Poorest Place In America?  (147 replies)
Name these south dakota towns!!!  (34 replies)
campgrounds around badlands?  (6 replies)

Latest news from White River, SD collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (8.5%), American (3.2%), Irish (2.8%), English (2.6%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Incorporated on 5/2/1912

Elevation: 2135 feet

Land area: 0.51 square miles.

Population density: 1,035 people per square mile   (low).

White River, South Dakota map

4 residents are foreign born

This city:

0.7%
South Dakota:

1.8%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2022: $969 (1.1%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2022: $1,633 (2.8%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Rapid City, SD (128.7 miles , pop. 59,607).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Lincoln, NE (282.7 miles , pop. 225,581).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (674.1 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Wood, SD (3.8 miles),
Soldier Creek, SD (4.3 miles ),
Mission, SD (4.3 miles ),
Antelope, SD (4.4 miles ),
White Horse, SD (4.5 miles),
Murdo, SD (4.7 miles ),
Parmelee, SD (4.7 miles ),
Corn Creek, SD (4.8 miles)

Latitude: 43.57 N, Longitude: 100.75 W

Area code: 605

Distribution of median household income in White River, SD in 2022
Distribution of house value in White River, SD in 2022
White River satellite photo by USGS
Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

3.4%
South Dakota:

2.0%
Population change in the 1990s: +4 (+0.7%).
Most common industries in White River, SD (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Educational services (26.5%)
  • Construction (12.0%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (9.6%)
  • Public administration (7.6%)
  • Food & beverage stores (6.8%)
  • Health care (6.4%)
  • Social assistance (5.6%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Educational services (21.4%)
  • Construction (19.8%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (17.5%)
  • Public administration (7.1%)
  • Food & beverage stores (4.8%)
  • Arts, entertainment, recreation (4.8%)
  • Utilities (3.2%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Educational services (31.7%)
  • Health care (10.6%)
  • Social assistance (9.8%)
  • Food & beverage stores (8.9%)
  • Public administration (8.1%)
  • Gasoline stations (4.9%)
  • Construction (4.1%)
Most common occupations in White River, SD (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (9.6%)
  • Agricultural workers, including supervisors (5.6%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (5.2%)
  • Farmers and farm managers (4.0%)
  • Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists (4.0%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (4.0%)
  • Child care workers (3.6%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Agricultural workers, including supervisors (9.5%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (8.7%)
  • Farmers and farm managers (7.9%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (6.3%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (5.6%)
  • Construction laborers (5.6%)
  • Entertainers and performers, sports, and related workers (4.0%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (10.6%)
  • Child care workers (7.3%)
  • Cashiers (6.5%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (5.7%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4.9%)
  • Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists (4.9%)
  • Other teachers, instructors, education, training, and library occupations (4.1%)

Average climate in White River, South Dakota

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

White River, South Dakota average temperatures White River, South Dakota average precipitation White River, South Dakota humidity White River, South Dakota wind speed White River, South Dakota snowfall White River, South Dakota sunshine White River, South Dakota clear and cloudy days

Tornado activity:

White River-area historical tornado activity is below South Dakota state average. It is 47% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 5/8/1965, a category F5 (max. wind speeds 261-318 mph) tornado 56.8 miles away from the White River city center injured one person and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

On 6/4/1971, a category F2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado 14.2 miles away from the city center .

Earthquake activity:

White River-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above South Dakota state average. It is 277% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 8/18/1959 at 06:37:13, a magnitude 7.7 (7.7 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 496.9 miles away from White River center, causing $26,000,000 total damage
On 10/18/1984 at 15:30:23, a magnitude 5.5 (5.4 MB, 5.1 MS, 5.5 ML, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 257.1 miles away from the city center
On 3/4/1983 at 06:32:18, a magnitude 4.6 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 4.4 ML, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 80.2 miles away from the city center
On 9/8/1984 at 00:59:31, a magnitude 5.1 (5.1 MB) earthquake occurred 262.1 miles away from the city center
On 11/3/2002 at 20:41:56, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 108.6 miles away from the city center
On 5/25/2003 at 07:32:33, a magnitude 4.0 (4.0 MB, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 62.4 miles away from White River center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Mellette County (12) is smaller than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 7
Emergencies Declared: 2

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 5, Storms: 5, Winter Storms: 4, Snowstorms: 2, Blizzard: 1, Drought: 1, Hurricane: 1, Snow: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
White River topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers in White River:

  • WHITE RIVER HEALTHCARE CENTER (515 E 8TH STREET PO BOX 310)

Airports located in White River:

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to White River:

  • Chadron State College (about 126 miles; Chadron, NE; Full-time enrollment: 2,374)
  • South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (about 128 miles; Rapid City, SD; FT enrollment: 2,102)
  • Black Hills State University (about 169 miles; Spearfish, SD; FT enrollment: 3,166)
  • Northern State University (about 172 miles; Aberdeen, SD; FT enrollment: 2,203)
  • Southeast Technical Institute (about 199 miles; Sioux Falls, SD; FT enrollment: 2,386)
  • Northeast Community College (about 200 miles; Norfolk, NE; FT enrollment: 3,334)
  • University of South Dakota (about 201 miles; Vermillion, SD; FT enrollment: 7,328)

Public high school in White River:

Public elementary/middle schools in White River:

See full list of schools located in White River

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable locations in White River: White River Fire Department (A), White River City Hall (B), Mellette County Courthouse (C), Mellette County Ambulance (D). Display/hide their locations on the map

Hotel: Thoroughbred Lodge Hotel & Motel (52 East 2nd Street).

Mellette County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential
Average household size:
This city:

2.5 people
South Dakota:

2.4 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:

64.0%
Whole state:

64.2%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:

13.3%
Whole state:

6.5%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 0.5% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.5% of all households
49 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities in 2010
45 people in nursing homes in 2000

For population 15 years and over in White River:

Marital status in White River, SD
  • Never married: 37.0%
  • Now married: 23.1%
  • Separated: 2.1%
  • Widowed: 9.7%
  • Divorced: 28.2%

For population 25 years and over in White River:

  • High school or higher: 80.7%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 11.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 0.8%
  • Unemployed: 6.7%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 18.0 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

17.1
South Dakota average:

10.5

Travel time (in minutes) to work in 2022
Means of transportation to work in 2022 - White River
Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for White River, SD (based on Mellette County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Mainline Protestant4795
Evangelical Protestant2026
Other1031
Catholic802
None1,184-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 2
This county:

9.92 / 10,000 pop.
State:

2.84 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 1
Mellette County:

4.96 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:

0.65 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 1
This county:

4.96 / 10,000 pop.
State:

6.68 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 2
Here:

9.92 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:

9.21 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Mellette County:

11.6%
South Dakota:

7.7%
Adult obesity rate:
Mellette County:

32.9%
State:

27.7%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
This city:

47.9%
South Dakota:

51.4%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
White River:

45.2%
South Dakota:

49.4%

Average BMI:
White River:

29.5
State:

28.5

People feeling badly about themselves:
This city:

26.0%
South Dakota:

20.6%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
This city:

14.8%
South Dakota:

9.7%

Average hours sleeping at night:
Here:

6.7
South Dakota:

6.9

Overweight people:
This city:

37.1%
South Dakota:

34.1%

General health condition:
Here:

51.4%
State:

58.1%

Average condition of hearing:
White River:

76.8%
South Dakota:

78.7%

More about Health and Nutrition of White River, SD Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2022)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Financial Administration 1$3,544$42,5280$0
Judicial and Legal 0$0 1$50
Other Government Administration 0$0 5$996
Sewerage 0$0 2$1,128
Totals for Government 1$3,544$42,5288$2,174

White River government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident):

  • Current Operations - Regular Highways: $400,000 ($756.14)
    Police Protection: $50,000 ($94.52)
    Financial Administration: $31,000 ($58.60)
    Water Utilities: $10,000 ($18.90)
    Central Staff Services: $8,000 ($15.12)
    Sewerage: $7,000 ($13.23)
    Judicial and Legal Services: $6,000 ($11.34)
    Parks and Recreation: $5,000 ($9.45)
  • General - Interest on Debt: $3,000 ($5.67)

White River government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident):

  • Charges - Sewerage: $65,000 ($122.87)
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $110,000 ($207.94)
  • State Intergovernmental - Highways: $390,000 ($737.24)
  • Tax - Property: $218,000 ($412.10)

White River government finances - Debt in 2017 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $80,000 ($151.23)
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $55,000 ($103.97)
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $25,000 ($47.26)

Strongest AM radio stations in White River:

  • KGFX (1060 AM; 10 kW; PIERRE, SD; Owner: JAMES RIVER BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • KVSH (940 AM; 5 kW; VALENTINE, NE; Owner: HEART CITY RADIO COMPANY)
  • KWYR (1260 AM; 5 kW; WINNER, SD; Owner: MIDWEST RADIO CORP.)
  • KBHB (810 AM; 25 kW; STURGIS, SD; Owner: MONTEREY LICENSES, LLC)
  • KXMR (710 AM; 50 kW; BISMARCK, ND; Owner: RADIO BISMARCK MANDAN, LLC)
  • KRVN (880 AM; 50 kW; LEXINGTON, NE; Owner: NEBRASKA RURAL RADIO ASSOCIATION)
  • KIMB (1260 AM; 50 kW; KIMBALL, NE; Owner: G & L INVESTMENTS, LLC)
  • KLTT (670 AM; 50 kW; COMMERCE CITY, CO; Owner: KLZ RADIO, INC.)
  • KKLS (920 AM; 10 kW; RAPID CITY, SD; Owner: MONTEREY LICENSES, LLC)
  • KTWO (1030 AM; 50 kW; CASPER, WY; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KKZN (760 AM; 50 kW; THORNTON, CO; Owner: JACOR BROADCASTING OF COLORADO, INC.)
  • KOIL (1020 AM; 50 kW; PLATTSMOUTH, NE; Owner: WAITT RADIO, INC.)
  • KFAB (1110 AM; 50 kW; OMAHA, NE; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

Strongest FM radio stations in White River:

  • KINI (96.1 FM; CROOKSTON, NE; Owner: THE ROSEBUD EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY)

White River fatal accident list:

Sep 10, 2007 05:55 PM, Main St, 2nd St, Lat: 43.567814, Lon: -100.748444, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 1
Jun 4, 2005 02:20 AM, Us-83, Sr-44, Lat: 43.533630, Lon: -100.734460, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 2, Pedestrians: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1
Apr 2, 1991 09:20 PM, 83, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 4, Pedestrians: 1, Fatalities: 1
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 4Number of bridges
  • 89ft / 27.0mTotal length
  • 4,127Total average daily traffic
  • 618Total average daily truck traffic
  • 5,180Total future (year 2041) average daily traffic

FCC Registered Antenna Towers:

52 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers in White River)

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers:

12 (See the full list of FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers in White River, SD)

FCC Registered Microwave Towers:

4
  • STATION, 11 Mi. S. Of (Lat: 43.403333 Lon: -100.749306), Overall height: 76.2 m, Call Sign: WSW88,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6595.00 MHz, Grant Date: 05/12/1999, Expiration Date: 08/18/2009, Cancellation Date: 06/16/2009, Phone: (605) 773-4635

  • WHITE RIVER, Se 1/4 Se 1/4 Section 26, Township 42 N, Range 30 W (Lat: 43.580444 Lon: -100.853306), Type: Tower, Structure height: 146.9 m, Overall height: 149 m, Call Sign: WQCI708,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6605.00 MHz, 6555.00 MHz, 6645.00 MHz, 6660.00 MHz, Grant Date: 03/14/2005, Expiration Date: 03/14/2015, Cancellation Date: 05/21/2014, Certifier: Michael P Goggin, Registrant: At&t Mobility LLC, 1120 20th Street, Nw - Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036, Phone: (202) 457-2055, Fax: (202) 457-3073, Email:

  • WHITE RIVER, Se 1/4 Se 1/4 Section 26, Township 42 N, Range 30 W (Lat: 43.580722 Lon: -100.853306), Type: Tower, Structure height: 146.3 m, Overall height: 150 m, Call Sign: WQMC990,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6660.00 MHz, Grant Date: 07/01/2010, Expiration Date: 12/28/2010, Cancellation Date: 03/05/2011, Certifier: Michael P Goggin, Registrant: At&t Mobility LLC, 1120 Twentieth Street, N.W., Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036, Phone: (202) 457-2055, Fax: (202) 457-3073, Email:

  • WHITE RIVER, 300 N & 110 E Of N 5th St (Lat: 43.576361 Lon: -100.743444), Overall height: 42.7 m, Call Sign: WLM546,
    Assigned Frequencies: 2168.40 MHz, Grant Date: 03/25/1991, Expiration Date: 02/01/2001, Cancellation Date: 05/06/2001, Registrant: Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc., Wall, SD 57790


FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:

1
  • Call Sign: WB0MRK, Licensee ID: L00197976, Grant Date: 05/12/2017, Expiration Date: 05/12/2027, Certifier: Mark A Dewes, Registrant: Mark A Dewes, White River, SD 57579


FAA Registered Aircraft:

3
  • Aircraft: AERONCA 7AC (Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 90 mph), Engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 HP) (Reciprocating)
    N-Number: 82113, N82113, N-82113, Serial Number: 7AC-739, Year manufactured: 1946, Airworthiness Date: 05/18/1956, Certificate Issue Date: 12/22/2011
    Registrant (Individual): D Bret Strain, Po Box 413, White River, SD 57579
  • Aircraft: AYRES CORPORATION S2R-R1340 (Category: Land, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: P&W R1340 SERIES (600 HP) (Reciprocating)
    N-Number: 850VA, N850VA, N-850VA, Serial Number: R1340-013, Year manufactured: 1988, Airworthiness Date: 11/29/1988, Certificate Issue Date: 11/19/2008
    Registrant (Corporation): Valburg Aerial Spraying Inc, 27656 Sd Highway 44, White River, SD 57579
  • Aircraft: BELLANCA 8GCBC (Category: Land, Seats: 3, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 101 mph), Engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER (180 HP) (Reciprocating)
    N-Number: 88368, N88368, N-88368, Serial Number: 118-74, Year manufactured: 1974, Airworthiness Date: 02/25/1976, Certificate Issue Date: 04/28/2014
    Registrant (Individual): Daniel G Hight, 26394 Us Highway 83 # 182, White River, SD 57579

2005 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents

    Fire incident distribution by year According to the data from the years 2005 - 2018 the average number of fires per year is 16. The highest number of reported fire incidents - 38 took place in 2012, and the least - 0 in 2007. The data has an increasing trend.
    Fire incident types in White River, SD When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Outside Fires (74.1%), and Structure Fires (11.8%).

    • Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in White River, SD
    • 16374.1%Outside Fires
    • 2611.8%Structure Fires
    • 167.3%Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires
    • 156.8%Other
See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for White River, SD
Most common first names in White River, SD among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
John1279.6 years
George1082.1 years
William979.2 years
Charles976.9 years
Ruth876.7 years
Mary888.1 years
James879.7 years
Anna788.2 years
Frank780.0 years
Martha683.1 years
Most common last names in White River, SD among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Bordeaux979.7 years
Krogman881.4 years
Jones883.4 years
Rattlingleaf762.0 years
Johnson676.2 years
Bartlett674.7 years
Burnette562.0 years
Runninghorse577.0 years
Clairmont476.2 years
Deiss473.3 years
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in White River, SD
  • 68.0%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 22.7%Electricity
  • 9.3%Wood
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in White River, SD
  • 55.3%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 33.0%Electricity
  • 11.7%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.


White River compared to South Dakota state average:

  • Median household income significantly below state average.
  • Median house value significantly below state average.
  • Unemployed percentage below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Median age significantly above state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • Institutionalized population percentage significantly above state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher below state average.

White River on our top lists:

  • #98 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the most residents born in Other Eastern Europe (population 500+)"
  • #30 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"
  • #101 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest ground withdrawal of fresh water for public supply"
There is 1 pilot and no other airmen in this city.
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