County · South Dakota
Butte County, South Dakota
Butte County, South Dakota. Butte County had 10,856 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.0% since 2020, faster than South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 7 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs, 2 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 46019.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,856
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,243 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,676
Median household income
$75,652
±$11,248 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$244,600
±$28,863 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$972
±$87 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Butte County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 10,243 residents in Butte County. The Census Bureau estimates 10,856 for July 1, 2025, up 6.0% since 2020, faster than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,676 over 2,250 square miles of land.
| Measure | Butte County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,676 | 907,428 | +451 |
| Households | 4,306±202 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.44±0.11 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,783±23 | 408,584 | −56 |
Butte County's population since 2000
From 9,094 in 2000 to 10,856 in 2025: up 19.4%. 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 Butte County?
Butte County holds 7 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 2 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Belle Fourche with 5,791 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Belle Fourche | 5,617 | $65,071 |
|---|---|---|
| NewellGEOID 4644860 | 584 | $84,792 |
| NislandGEOID 4645180 | 206 | $26,979 |
| ValeGEOID 4665900 | 130 | $40,455 |
| Vale TownshipGEOID 4601965940 | 114 | $40,455 |
| FruitdaleGEOID 4623140 | 73 | $17,450 |
| Union Township, Butte CountyGEOID 4601964980 | 19 | 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 Butte County?
The median resident of Butte County is 40.2 years old; 24.8% are under 18 and 20.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.9%.
| Measure | Butte County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.2±1.2 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.8%±0.3 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.1%±0.4 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3% | 4.8% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.0%±1.2 pts | 79.8% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.9%±1.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7%±1.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0%±1.3 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.4%±2.3 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.5%±3.3 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.4%±3.2 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.9%±3.3 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.2%±1.5 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±1.1 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 Butte County earn?
Half of Butte County's 4,306 households earn less than $75,652 a year (±$11,248), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 the median was $57,237 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $18,415 after inflation. 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Butte County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,652±$11,248 | $75,081 | +$18,415 |
| Mean household income | $96,122±$11,458 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,718±$4,471 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.6%±2.9 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.2%±5.6 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.5%±2.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.8%±2.9 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 Butte County?
Owners occupy 76.1% of Butte County's occupied homes and renters 23.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $244,600 by its owner (±$28,863). The median renter pays $972 a month including utilities, and 33.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Butte County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $244,600±$28,863 | $257,400 | +$73,534 |
| Median gross rent | $972±$87 | $946 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.7%±12.1 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,694±$81 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.1%±4.0 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,783±23 | 408,584 | −56 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.9%±4.2 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 60.0%±4.4 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 24.1%±3.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.6%±3.6 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 Butte County building?
Builders took permits for 88 new housing units across Butte County in 2025 (80 single-family), 8.1 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 Butte County get to work?
75.4% of Butte County's workers drive alone and 7.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.5 minutes.
| Measure | Butte County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.4%±2.9 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8%±1.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 75.4%±4.9 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.9%±3.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 4.6%±2.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.8%±2.4 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.5 min±3.2 | 17.8 min | +6.1 min |
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 Butte County's census tracts?
Butte County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,615 (Tract 9677.02) to $93,438 (Tract 9677.01).
| Tract 967646019967600 | 2,744±378 | $68,523 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9677.0146019967701 | 5,142±372 | $93,438 |
| Tract 9677.0246019967702 | 2,790±279 | $44,615 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Butte County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 17th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 11th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 36th of 66 |
| Median household income | 20th of 66 |
| Median home value | 10th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 10th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 48th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 52nd of 66 |
| Median age | 39th 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 Butte 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.