Custer, SD Demographics

A map of Custer's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	2,022	1,730	86.4%	90.2%
Multiracial	162	62	6.9%	3.2%
Native American/Other	76	34	3.2%	1.8%
Hispanic	52	65	2.2%	3.4%
Asian	29	11	1.2%	0.6%
Black	0	17	0.0%	0.9%

Custer, South Dakota has an estimated population of 2,341, a large increase from the 1,919 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.4% White, 6.9% Multiracial, 3.2% Native American/Other, 2.2% Hispanic, 1.2% Asian, and 0.0% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Custer, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Custer has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less 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 Custer, that probability was 18.5% in 2020 and 24.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Custer is ranked the 41st 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). Custer was ranked the 43rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Custer's White Population

2,022 residents of Custer, or 86.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Custer is higher than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Custer ranks 238th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Custer's White population has grown by an estimated 16.9%. White residents' share of Custer's population has decreased from 90.2% to 86.4%.

Custer is more White than neighboring Pringle (74.3% White), Hill City (84.1% White), Keystone (63.7% White), and Hot Springs (79.7% White). Custer is less White than neighboring Johnson Siding (90.8% White).

Custer's Black Population

0 residents of Custer, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Custer is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Custer ranks 45th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Custer's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Custer's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.0%.

Custer's Asian Population

29 residents of Custer, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Custer is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Custer ranks 95th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Custer's Asian population has grown by an estimated 163.6%. Asian residents' share of Custer's population has increased from 0.6% to 1.2%.

Custer is more Asian than neighboring Pringle (0% Asian), Hill City (0% Asian), Keystone (0.6% Asian), and Johnson Siding (0% Asian). Custer is less Asian than neighboring Hot Springs (3.9% Asian).

Custer's Hispanic Population

52 residents of Custer, or 2.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Custer is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Custer ranks 162nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Custer's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 20.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Custer's population has decreased from 3.4% to 2.2%.

Custer is more Hispanic than neighboring Johnson Siding (0% Hispanic). Custer is less Hispanic than neighboring Pringle (21.8% Hispanic), Hill City (6.1% Hispanic), Keystone (23.8% Hispanic), and Hot Springs (2.6% Hispanic).

Custer's Native American/Other Population

76 residents of Custer, or 3.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Custer is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Custer ranks 226th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Custer's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 123.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Custer's population has increased from 1.8% to 3.2%.

Custer is more Native American/Other than neighboring Pringle (2.4% Native American/Other), Hill City (0.1% Native American/Other), and Keystone (0.9% Native American/Other). Custer is less Native American/Other than neighboring Johnson Siding (8% Native American/Other), and Hot Springs (8.7% Native American/Other).

Custer's Multiracial Population

162 residents of Custer, or 6.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Custer is slightly higher than in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Custer ranks 201st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Custer's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 161.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Custer's population has increased from 3.2% to 6.9%.

Custer is more Multiracial than neighboring Pringle (1.5% Multiracial), Johnson Siding (1.3% Multiracial), and Hot Springs (5% Multiracial). Custer is less Multiracial than neighboring Hill City (9.7% Multiracial), and Keystone (11% 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.