County · South Dakota
Brule County, South Dakota
Brule County, South Dakota. Brule County had 5,278 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.5% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 29 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 22 towns and townships and 4 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 46015.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,278
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,247 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,283
Median household income
$73,720
±$7,160 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$216,800
±$15,646 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$835
±$162 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Brule County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,247 residents in Brule County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,278 for July 1, 2025, up 0.5% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,283 over 817 square miles of land.
| Measure | Brule County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,283 | 907,428 | +25 |
| Households | 1,955±100 | 365,544 | −276 |
| Average household size | 2.52±0.13 | 2.39 | +0.31 |
| Housing units | 2,367±24 | 408,584 | −205 |
Brule County's population since 2000
From 5,364 in 2000 to 5,278 in 2025: down 1.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Brule County?
Brule County holds 29 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 22 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Chamberlain with 2,453 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Chamberlain | 2,473 | $76,761 |
|---|---|---|
| Kimball | 572 | $52,917 |
| Wilbur TownshipGEOID 4601571700 | 255 | not published |
| Chamberlain TownshipGEOID 4601511260 | 242 | not published |
| PukwanaGEOID 4652220 | 233 | $63,750 |
| Torrey Lake TownshipGEOID 4601563780 | 196 | $120,694 |
| Brule Township, Brule CountyGEOID 4601507780 | 163 | $153,500 |
| Pukwana TownshipGEOID 4601552260 | 147 | $68,409 |
| Ola TownshipGEOID 4601546740 | 121 | not published |
| West Point TownshipGEOID 4601570500 | 96 | $129,554 |
| Union Township, Brule CountyGEOID 4601564940 | 75 | $123,929 |
| Cleveland Township, Brule CountyGEOID 4601512780 | 69 | $40,833 |
| Red Lake TownshipGEOID 4601553660 | 68 | $58,438 |
| Waldro TownshipGEOID 4601568220 | 59 | not published |
| Richland Township, Brule CountyGEOID 4601554540 | 56 | not published |
| Kimball TownshipGEOID 4601534020 | 55 | not published |
| Smith TownshipGEOID 4601559540 | 54 | $68,333 |
| Eagle Township, Brule CountyGEOID 4601517500 | 53 | $58,750 |
| Willow Lake TownshipGEOID 4601571900 | 53 | $99,500 |
| Pleasant Grove TownshipGEOID 4601550580 | 48 | $60,417 |
| Lyon TownshipGEOID 4601539700 | 41 | $70,909 |
| Plainfield TownshipGEOID 4601549860 | 38 | not published |
| America TownshipGEOID 4601501340 | 37 | $61,087 |
| Highland Township, Brule CountyGEOID 4601528700 | 19 | $132,500 |
| Plummer TownshipGEOID 4601551180 | 16 | not published |
| OlaGEOID 4646700 | 15 | not published |
| Grass Ranch ColonyGEOID 4625743 | 14 | not published |
| Bijou HillsGEOID 4605580 | 2 | not published |
| Cedar Grove ColonyGEOID 4610835 | 0 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Brule County?
The median resident of Brule County is 41.5 years old; 24.3% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.2%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 10.1%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Brule County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5±1.0 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.3%±0.5 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.0%±0.8 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% | 4.8% | −0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.2%±1.0 pts | 79.8% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 10.1%±2.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.8%±2.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4%±0.8 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.6%±1.9 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3%±1.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 17.0%±3.1 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.8%±2.4 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.8%±3.1 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.7%±3.7 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.1%±2.4 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4%±1.4 pts | 3.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Brule County earn?
Half of Brule County's 1,955 households earn less than $73,720 a year (±$7,160), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $70,391 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Brule County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,720±$7,160 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,266±$9,555 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,532±$3,682 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.7%±3.8 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.7%±4.9 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.2%±2.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.9%±4.1 pts | 89.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Brule County?
Owners occupy 76.4% of Brule County's occupied homes and renters 23.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $216,800 by its owner (±$15,646). The median renter pays $835 a month including utilities, and 31.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Brule County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $216,800±$15,646 | $257,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $835±$162 | $946 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.5%±10.8 pts | 30.4% | +18.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,450±$91 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.4%±4.2 pts | 68.6% | +14.7 pts |
| Housing units | 2,367±24 | 408,584 | −205 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 18.1%±9.8 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.3%±4.2 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.7%±2.5 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 22.9%±4.6 pts | 15.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Brule County building?
Builders took permits for 20 new housing units across Brule County in 2025 (20 single-family), 3.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Brule County get to work?
70.5% of Brule County's workers drive alone and 12.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.5 minutes.
| Measure | Brule County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.3%±3.4 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.5%±1.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 70.5%±3.7 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.0%±2.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 6.1%±1.7 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.4%±3.2 pts | 9.7% | +4.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.5 min±1.9 | 17.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Brule County's census tracts?
Brule County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $70,417 (Tract 9731) to $76,307 (Tract 9732).
| Tract 973146015973100 | 2,359±187 | $70,417 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 973246015973200 | 2,924±187 | $76,307 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Brule County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 33rd of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 38th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st of 66 |
| Median household income | 28th of 66 |
| Median home value | 19th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 24th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 35th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20th of 66 |
| Median age | 33rd of 66 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Brule County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.