Box Elder, SD Demographics

A map of Box Elder's Population by Race

Box Elder, South Dakota has an estimated population of 12,902, an increase from the 11,746 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 71.1% White, 8.4% Multiracial, 8.3% Native American/Other, 8.2% Hispanic, 2.8% Black, and 1.1% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Box Elder, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Box Elder is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than South Dakota overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Box Elder, that probability was 47.5% in 2020 and 47.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Box Elder is ranked the 11th most populous place in South Dakota, out of 485 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Box Elder was ranked the 11th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Box Elder's White Population

9,177 residents of Box Elder, or 71.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Box Elder is lower than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Box Elder ranks 397th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Box Elder's White population has grown by an estimated 10.0%. White residents' share of Box Elder's population has remained roughly unchanged at 71.1%.

Box Elder is more White than neighboring Green Valley (66.5% White). Box Elder is less White than neighboring Ashland Heights (92.6% White), Rapid Valley (75.8% White), Rapid City (76.3% White), and Caputa (100% White).

Box Elder's Black Population

356 residents of Box Elder, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Box Elder is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Box Elder ranks 6th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Box Elder's Black population has declined by an estimated 11.4%. Black residents' share of Box Elder's population has decreased from 3.4% to 2.8%.

Box Elder is more Black than neighboring Ashland Heights (0% Black), Rapid Valley (1.2% Black), Green Valley (0% Black), Rapid City (1.2% Black), and Caputa (0% Black).

Box Elder's Asian Population

148 residents of Box Elder, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Box Elder is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Box Elder ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Box Elder's Asian population has declined by an estimated 31.5%. Asian residents' share of Box Elder's population has decreased from 1.8% to 1.1%.

Box Elder is more Asian than neighboring Ashland Heights (0% Asian), Green Valley (0% Asian), and Caputa (0% Asian). Box Elder is less Asian than neighboring Rapid Valley (3.6% Asian), and Rapid City (1.3% Asian).

Box Elder's Hispanic Population

1,061 residents of Box Elder, or 8.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Box Elder is slightly higher than in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Box Elder ranks 49th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Box Elder's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 16.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Box Elder's population has remained roughly unchanged at 8.2%.

Box Elder is more Hispanic than neighboring Ashland Heights (0% Hispanic), Rapid Valley (3.5% Hispanic), Rapid City (6.1% Hispanic), and Caputa (0% Hispanic). Box Elder is less Hispanic than neighboring Green Valley (12.7% Hispanic).

Box Elder's Native American/Other Population

1,074 residents of Box Elder, or 8.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Box Elder is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Box Elder ranks 104th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Box Elder's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 19.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Box Elder's population has increased from 7.6% to 8.3%.

Box Elder is more Native American/Other than neighboring Ashland Heights (0% Native American/Other), Rapid Valley (6.2% Native American/Other), Green Valley (1.6% Native American/Other), Rapid City (7.7% Native American/Other), and Caputa (0% Native American/Other).

Box Elder's Multiracial Population

1,086 residents of Box Elder, or 8.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Box Elder is slightly higher than in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Box Elder ranks 37th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Box Elder's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 10.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Box Elder's population has remained roughly unchanged at 8.4%.

Box Elder is more Multiracial than neighboring Ashland Heights (7.4% Multiracial), Rapid City (7.4% Multiracial), and Caputa (0% Multiracial). Box Elder is less Multiracial than neighboring Rapid Valley (9.7% Multiracial), and Green Valley (19.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.