Waubay ZIP Codes — Day County, SD

There is one unique ZIP code in Waubay, South Dakota and it is 57273. Area code: 605.
1
ZIP codes
175.01
sq mi land
22.63
sq mi water
605
area code
Waubay, SD ZIP code map

About Waubay, SD

Waubay, South Dakota, is a charming small town located in Day County. Known for its friendly community and beautiful natural surroundings, Waubay serves as a peaceful retreat for those seeking a slower pace of life. The town is often appreciated for its scenic views and vibrant local culture.

Location & geography

Waubay is situated in the northeast part of South Dakota and is surrounded by a mix of rural landscapes and water bodies. The town is located near several other small cities, including Webster approximately 17 miles to the south, and Groton about 24 miles to the west. The land area of Waubay covers 175.01 square miles, with an additional 22.63 square miles comprised of water, contributing to its picturesque environment.

Community & economy

The community of Waubay is characterized by its tight-knit atmosphere and a strong sense of local identity. Many residents are engaged in agriculture, tourism, and small businesses, which are vital to the town's economy. Daily life in Waubay includes participation in local events, outdoor recreational activities, and supporting nearby attractions.

Transportation

Waubay can be accessed primarily via U.S. Highway 12, which connects it to larger cities and regional destinations. The nearest commercial airport is located in Watertown, about 35 miles to the southwest, providing residents with air travel options. Public transit is limited, with most residents relying on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Waubay was established in the late 19th century, with its development closely linked to the expansion of railroads in the region. Over the years, the town has been known for its connections to agriculture and tourism, particularly related to fishing and boating on the nearby Waubay Lake. Notable events in Waubay's history include the establishment of local schools and community organizations that continue to enhance the quality of life for residents.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Waubay is that it is home to the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge, which attracts outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife watchers year-round. The town also boasts a rich cultural heritage reflected in local events and community gatherings.

ZIP codes for Waubay, SD (1)
ZIP code City County Map
57273 Waubay Day View map

Demographics & statistics

1,173
Population
39.4
Median age
$47,344
Median household income
$26,411
Per capita income
$113,500
Median home value
$589
Median monthly rent
69.9%
Home ownership
24.2%
Poverty rate
10.6%
Unemployment
720
Housing units
22.0%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
50
Under 5
54
20
5–9
22
47
10–14
52
70
15–19
77
12
20–24
14
62
25–34
68
49
35–44
53
34
45–54
38
46
55–59
50
48
60–64
53
78
65–74
85
35
75–84
38
9
85+
9
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1836431.0%
18 and over80969.0%
65 and over25421.7%
Median age39.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 53.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 38.6%
Two or more races 6.8%
Hispanic or Latino 1.1%
Asian 0.3%
GroupCount%
White63153.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native45838.6%
Two or more races816.8%
Hispanic or Latino131.1%
Asian30.3%

Household income

Under $10k 8.4%
$10k–$15k 3.1%
$15k–$25k 12.9%
$25k–$35k 16.9%
$35k–$50k 9.8%
$50k–$75k 18.9%
$75k–$100k 8.8%
$100k–$150k 13.4%
$150k–$200k 1.0%
$200k+ 6.9%
Range% of households
Under $10k8.4%
$10k–$15k3.1%
$15k–$25k12.9%
$25k–$35k16.9%
$35k–$50k9.8%
$50k–$75k18.9%
$75k–$100k8.8%
$100k–$150k13.4%
$150k–$200k1.0%
$200k+6.9%
Median income$47,344

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.6%
$50k–$100k 26.3%
$100k–$150k 21.5%
$150k–$200k 10.6%
$200k–$300k 13.7%
$300k–$500k 7.2%
$500k–$1M 5.5%
$1M+ 2.7%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$113,500
Median rent / month$589
Owner occupied69.9%
Renter occupied30.1%
Vacant50.5%
Single-family detached86.6%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes8.5%
Median rooms5.1
Avg household size (owned)2.74

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.5%
2010–20198.0%
2000–200912.9%
1990–19997.3%
1980–198911.9%
1970–197913.7%
1960–19694.7%
1950–19599.3%
1940–19494.0%
1939 or earlier27.5%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.9%
1 bedroom8.6%
2 bedrooms25.2%
3 bedrooms45.2%
4 bedrooms14.3%
5+ bedrooms5.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle2.1%
1 vehicle29.1%
2 vehicles38.4%
3 or more30.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas1.4%
Electricity44.2%
Propane / LP gas46.5%
Fuel oil5.7%
Wood1.4%
No fuel used0.7%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family18945.1%
Cohabiting couple266.2%
Male householder, no spouse6816.2%
Female householder, no spouse13632.5%
Households with children under 1811126.5%
Households with seniors (65+)20148.0%
Average household size2.79

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married30.6%36.8%
Married55.0%43.3%
Separated0.0%1.6%
Widowed0.5%10.1%
Divorced14.0%8.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.3%
Some HS, no diploma 7.4%
HS graduate 38.1%
Some college, no degree 18.8%
Associate's degree 11.4%
Bachelor's degree 16.7%
Graduate / professional 5.3%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher90.3%
Bachelor's or higher22.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool5016.5%
Kindergarten20.7%
Elementary school12139.9%
High school10334.0%
College / grad school278.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 31.6%
Manufacturing 12.9%
Agriculture & mining 11.6%
Retail trade 8.3%
Arts, food & hospitality 7.6%
Public administration 6.8%
Wholesale trade 5.1%
Professional & management 5.1%
Other services 4.8%
Finance & real estate 2.5%
Construction 1.8%
Transportation & utilities 1.5%
Information 0.5%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts36.9%
Service19.4%
Sales & office19.4%
Natural resources & construction10.6%
Production & transportation13.6%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector49.7%
Government35.4%
Self-employed14.9%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone78.0%
Carpool6.6%
Public transit0.0%
Walk4.5%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)16.6

Poverty

All people 24.2%
Under 18 years 40.1%
18 and over 17.1%
Married-couple families 10.6%
Female-led households 25.6%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security48.7%
Retirement income26.5%
Supplemental Security5.7%
Cash public assistance3.3%
Food stamps / SNAP14.3%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure34.6%
High cholesterol31.5%
Heart disease8.0%
Stroke3.9%
Asthma10.1%
Arthritis26.4%
Kidney disease3.5%
Pulmonary disease7.4%
Cancer7.5%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.7%
No physical activity26.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep30.2%
Fair or poor health14.6%
Poor mental health11.9%
Poor physical health10.9%
No health insurance12.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.2%
Visited dentist62.5%
Cholesterol screening88.8%
Teeth loss16.5%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans10212.6%
Disability%
Any disability11.4%
Under 180.0%
18–64 years10.3%
65 and over30.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance43.9%
Public insurance49.4%
Uninsured under 198.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,06991.1%
Spanish20.2%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)1,173100.0%
Born in same state1,17099.7%
Born in different state1,04889.3%
Foreign born30.3%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Polish30425.9%
English615.2%
Italian514.3%
French252.1%
AncestryCount%
Dutch221.9%
Arab90.8%
Irish40.3%
German20.2%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access35.7%
Internet access80.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Waubay, SD have?
Waubay, SD has one ZIP code: 57273. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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