White River ZIP Codes — Mellette County, SD

There is one unique ZIP code in White River, South Dakota and it is 57579. Area code: 605.

ZIP codes

630.09

sq mi land

1.29

sq mi water

605

area code

White River, SD ZIP code map

About White River, SD

White River is a small city located in South Dakota, known for its rugged landscape and rich cultural heritage. This charming community serves as the county seat of Mellette County, offering residents and visitors a unique glimpse into life in the American West. With a close-knit population, White River embodies the spirit of rural South Dakota.

Location & geography

Nestled in the south-central region of South Dakota, White River is surrounded by vast open lands and scenic beauty. It is approximately 89 miles from Rapid City to the west and about 60 miles from the town of Mission. The city covers a land area of 630.09 square miles and includes 1.29 square miles of water, contributing to its spacious and natural landscape.

Community & economy

The community in White River is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and a strong sense of local pride. Agriculture plays a crucial role in the local economy, providing jobs and sustaining the lifestyle of many residents. Daily life in White River consists of community events, local gatherings, and a shared appreciation for the outdoors.

Transportation

White River is accessible via U.S. Highway 83, which runs north-south through the city, providing essential connectivity to surrounding areas. The nearest commercial airport is located in Rapid City, which is approximately 89 miles away, making it the primary access point for air travel. Local transit options are limited, reinforcing the car-dependent nature of the community.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, White River was established as a crucial settlement point during the westward expansion of the United States. Historically, the economy was driven by agriculture and livestock, key industries that continue to influence the area today. Notable events in the city's history include the establishment of the local school and community initiatives that have strengthened ties among residents.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about White River is that it is home to the annual White River Arts and Crafts Festival, which showcases local artisans and attracts visitors from around the region. Additionally, the city serves as a gateway to the scenic landscapes of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, highlighting the area's rich indigenous culture.

ZIP codes for White River, SD (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
57579	White River	Mellette	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,346

Population

35.9

Median age

$50,505

Median household income

$18,331

Per capita income

$58,900

Median home value

$775

Median monthly rent

61.7%

Home ownership

42.6%

Poverty rate

8.5%

Unemployment

343

Housing units

14.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	399	29.6%
18 and over	947	70.4%
65 and over	243	18.1%
Median age	35.9 years

Race & ethnicity

American Indian / Alaska Native 60.6%

White 33.4%

Two or more races 5.3%

Black or African American 0.4%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.4%

Group	Count	%
American Indian / Alaska Native	816	60.6%
White	449	33.4%
Two or more races	71	5.3%
Black or African American	5	0.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	5	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 13.5%

$10k–$15k 8.1%

$15k–$25k 3.4%

$25k–$35k 10.3%

$35k–$50k 12.3%

$50k–$75k 21.6%

$75k–$100k 21.4%

$100k–$150k 4.7%

$150k–$200k 2.9%

$200k+ 1.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	13.5%
$10k–$15k	8.1%
$15k–$25k	3.4%
$25k–$35k	10.3%
$35k–$50k	12.3%
$50k–$75k	21.6%
$75k–$100k	21.4%
$100k–$150k	4.7%
$150k–$200k	2.9%
$200k+	1.7%
Median income	$50,505

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 38.6%

$50k–$100k 35.9%

$100k–$150k 3.2%

$150k–$200k 14.7%

$200k–$300k 4.4%

$300k–$500k 3.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$58,900
Median rent / month	$775
Owner occupied	61.7%
Renter occupied	38.3%
Vacant	18.4%
Single-family detached	62.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.6%
Mobile homes	32.9%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	3.24

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.4%
2000–2009	7.6%
1990–1999	11.8%
1980–1989	11.4%
1970–1979	22.4%
1960–1969	20.4%
1950–1959	6.2%
1940–1949	5.8%
1939 or earlier	8.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	3.6%
2 bedrooms	33.7%
3 bedrooms	37.5%
4 bedrooms	17.4%
5+ bedrooms	7.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.9%
1 vehicle	32.2%
2 vehicles	20.4%
3 or more	42.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.5%
Electricity	23.8%
Propane / LP gas	56.8%
Fuel oil	2.9%
Wood	14.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	159	39.1%
Cohabiting couple	39	9.6%
Male householder, no spouse	68	16.7%
Female householder, no spouse	141	34.6%
Households with children under 18	132	32.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	180	44.2%
Average household size	3.20

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.1%	37.0%
Married	40.8%	34.1%
Separated	0.0%	2.9%
Widowed	6.4%	8.7%
Divorced	19.6%	17.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 7.7%

Some HS, no diploma 8.6%

HS graduate 38.2%

Some college, no degree 18.0%

Associate's degree 13.3%

Bachelor's degree 10.8%

Graduate / professional 3.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.7%
Bachelor's or higher	14.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	19	5.3%
Kindergarten	26	7.2%
Elementary school	229	63.4%
High school	53	14.7%
College / grad school	34	9.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 35.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 20.0%

Agriculture & mining 18.9%

Construction 9.7%

Public administration 8.0%

Other services 3.5%

Retail trade 2.9%

Transportation & utilities 1.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	47.3%
Service	29.0%
Sales & office	11.1%
Natural resources & construction	12.3%
Production & transportation	0.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	36.0%
Government	39.9%
Self-employed	24.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	67.3%
Carpool	22.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	4.9%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	14.3

Poverty

All people 42.6%

Under 18 years 57.8%

18 and over 36.5%

Married-couple families 9.4%

Female-led households 70.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	35.6%
Retirement income	15.5%
Supplemental Security	18.4%
Cash public assistance	6.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	25.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.1%
High cholesterol	30.4%
Heart disease	11.5%
Stroke	6.5%
Asthma	12.2%
Arthritis	30.5%
Kidney disease	5.1%
Pulmonary disease	12.0%
Cancer	7.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.8%
No physical activity	35.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.0%
Fair or poor health	25.1%
Poor mental health	15.0%
Poor physical health	16.4%
No health insurance	17.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.2%
Visited dentist	45.4%
Cholesterol screening	84.7%
Teeth loss	30.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	70	7.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.0%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	11.5%
65 and over	35.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	26.1%
Public insurance	52.2%
Uninsured under 19	3.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,271	94.4%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,346	100.0%
Born in same state	1,346	100.0%
Born in different state	1,054	78.3%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	63	4.7%
Italian	54	4%
Arab	48	3.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	13	1%
Polish	11	0.8%
English	6	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	30.2%
Internet access	82.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does White River, SD have?

White River, SD has one ZIP code: 57579. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.