Population 29 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Owattonna
Household size in Owattonna
| Period | Owattonna | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.43 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.13 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.16 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.40 | 2.48 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.03 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Owattonna is a place of small households, averaging 2.40 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. That is in line with the rest of South Dakota.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Owattonna
| Period | Owattonna | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.3 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 55.4 | 38.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 56.7 | 38.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.4 | 38.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.9 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
Owattonna skews older: half of its residents are older than 47.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 49.3, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Owattonna
| Period | Owattonna | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.7% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 2.4% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Owattonna: 4.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Owattonna
Renters in Owattonna
| Period | Owattonna | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.9% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 32.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.1% | 32.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.1% | 31.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.2 pts | +0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Owattonna is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About three-quarters of owners (74.6%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Owattonna
| Period | Owattonna | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.2% | 11.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 44.6% | 10.7% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 51.7% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 45.8% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 45.8% of the housing in Owattonna, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Owattonna
| Period | Owattonna | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1977 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1983 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +13 | +9 | +6 |
Homes in Owattonna are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1983, versus 1980 nationally.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Owattonna
| Period | Owattonna | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $328 | $631 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $522 | $692 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $494 | $798 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $959 | $1,000 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$631 | +$369 | +$606 |
Rent in Owattonna runs $959 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. That is in line with the rest of South Dakota. Rent takes 14.9% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Owattonna
Bachelor's degrees in Owattonna
| Period | Owattonna | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.4% | 26.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.1% | 27.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.4% | 29.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.8% | 32.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.4 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Owattonna: 24.8% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Owattonna
| Period | Owattonna | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.1% | 89.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.3% | 91.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.2% | 91.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.4% | 93.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.3 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Owattonna: 97.4% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Owattonna
| Period | Owattonna | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 0.9% | 4.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 1.1% | 4.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.0% | 3.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.9% | 3.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Owattonna has been low: just 2.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. The picture is much the same across South Dakota. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Owattonna compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owattonna | 2.40 | 47.4 | 4.5% | 19.1% | 45.8% | 1983 | $959 | 24.8% | 97.4% | 2.9% |
| Gettysburg | 2.14 | 50.1 | 3.9% | 20.2% | 19.8% | 1968 | $1,029 | 27.9% | 95.3% | 2.7% |
| Roy | 2.38 | 47.4 | 4.8% | 16.3% | 46.5% | 1982 | $1,008 | 25.5% | 97.6% | 3.5% |
| Sanner | 2.38 | 47.4 | 4.8% | 16.3% | 46.5% | 1982 | $1,008 | 25.5% | 97.6% | 3.5% |
| Lucas | 2.38 | 47.4 | 4.8% | 16.3% | 46.5% | 1982 | $1,008 | 25.5% | 97.6% | 3.5% |
| Agar | 2.52 | 47.4 | 2.8% | 34.8% | 42.0% | 1988 | $688 | 20.9% | 96.5% | 0.0% |
| Lebanon | 2.38 | 47.4 | 4.8% | 16.3% | 46.5% | 1982 | $1,008 | 25.5% | 97.6% | 3.5% |
| Cattron | 2.46 | 47.4 | 3.7% | 26.8% | 44.0% | 1985 | $827 | 22.9% | 96.9% | 1.5% |
| Forest City | 2.48 | 45.2 | 8.0% | 19.1% | 42.3% | 1983 | $973 | 25.5% | 96.5% | 4.5% |
| Onida | 2.32 | 45.0 | 5.1% | 21.9% | 22.2% | 1978 | $880 | 26.3% | 95.9% | 0.0% |
| Spring Lake | 2.32 | 52.6 | 1.9% | 24.5% | 24.8% | 1960 | $680 | 21.0% | 93.4% | 6.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Ragland, KY · Pauline, ID · Paulton, IL · Paxson, AK · Pegram, ID · Pennwyn, PA · Pentecost, MS · Perintown, OH · Proctor, TX · Pruden, TN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Owattonna. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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