County · South Dakota
Corson County, South Dakota
Corson County, South Dakota. Corson County had 3,781 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.0% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. It holds 14 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 7 towns and townships and 4 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 46031.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,781
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,902 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,806
Median household income
$46,406
±$11,944 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$69,800
±$7,756 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$496
±$94 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Corson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,902 residents in Corson County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,781 for July 1, 2025, down 3.0% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,806 over 2,470 square miles of land.
| Measure | Corson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,806 | 907,428 | −344 |
| Households | 1,128±40 | 365,544 | −67 |
| Average household size | 3.37±0.12 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,359±15 | 408,584 | −182 |
Corson County's population since 2000
From 4,181 in 2000 to 3,781 in 2025: down 9.6%. 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 Corson County?
Corson County holds 14 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 7 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is McLaughlin with 551 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| McLaughlin | 569 | $62,159 |
|---|---|---|
| Little EagleGEOID 4637900 | 367 | $23,750 |
| Bullhead | 308 | $32,589 |
| Wakpala TownshipGEOID 4603168180 | 291 | $20,938 |
| WakpalaGEOID 4668140 | 267 | $20,938 |
| KenelGEOID 4633540 | 130 | $68,750 |
| McIntoshGEOID 4639940 | 111 | $97,500 |
| MorristownGEOID 4643860 | 47 | $45,000 |
| Ridgeland TownshipGEOID 4603154860 | 41 | not published |
| Custer Township, Corson CountyGEOID 4603115100 | 39 | not published |
| Pleasant Ridge TownshipGEOID 4603150660 | 32 | not published |
| Rolling Green TownshipGEOID 4603155700 | 30 | not published |
| Watauga TownshipGEOID 4603169260 | 22 | not published |
| Prairie View TownshipGEOID 4603151700 | 21 | 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 Corson County?
The median resident of Corson County is 29.9 years old; 35.3% are under 18 and 13.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 66.5%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 29.9%.
| Measure | Corson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.9±0.1 | 38.0 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 35.3% | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.2% | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 29.9%±0.4 pts | 79.8% | +1.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 66.5%±1.0 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0%±1.0 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.7%±2.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0%±1.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 18.3%±2.1 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 16.9%±2.2 pts | 9.0% | −6.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.1%±2.2 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.0%±2.8 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.8%±1.3 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.6 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 Corson County earn?
Half of Corson County's 1,128 households earn less than $46,406 a year (±$11,944), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $44,008 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 44.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Corson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $46,406±$11,944 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,764±$7,733 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $22,830±$2,365 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 44.2%±4.6 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 58.3%±6.7 pts | 14.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 25.1%±3.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.1%±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 Corson County?
Owners occupy 59.1% of Corson County's occupied homes and renters 40.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $69,800 by its owner (±$7,756). The median renter pays $496 a month including utilities, and 24.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Corson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $69,800±$7,756 | $257,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $496±$94 | $946 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 24.8%±7.9 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,137±$128 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 59.1%±4.4 pts | 68.6% | +5.3 pts |
| Housing units | 1,359±15 | 408,584 | −182 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4%±3.4 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.6%±2.7 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.8%±2.3 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5%±1.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.5%±2.9 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 Corson County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Corson County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Corson County get to work?
65.2% of Corson County's workers drive alone and 24.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 23.5%.
| Measure | Corson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.4%±3.5 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 23.5%±4.2 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 65.2%±4.8 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.3%±2.0 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±2.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±1.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 24.2%±4.2 pts | 9.7% | −6.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.0 min±1.6 | 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 Corson County's census tracts?
Corson County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $46,250 (Tract 9411) to $48,000 (Tract 9410).
| Tract 941046031941000 | 1,607±144 | $48,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 941146031941100 | 2,199±144 | $46,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Corson County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 42nd of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 59th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 57th of 66 |
| Median household income | 63rd of 66 |
| Median home value | 63rd of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 64th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 56th of 66 |
| Median age | 59th 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 Corson 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.