County · South Dakota
Davison County, South Dakota
Davison County, South Dakota. Davison County had 20,069 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.6% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 15 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 11 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 46035.
Davison County is one of the 3 counties of the Mitchell, SD micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,069
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,956 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,952
Median household income
$66,208
±$7,907 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$205,800
±$16,963 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$847
±$69 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Davison County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,956 residents in Davison County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,069 for July 1, 2025, up 0.6% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,952 over 436 square miles of land.
| Measure | Davison County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,952 | 907,428 | +81 |
| Households | 8,899±217 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.16±0.05 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,579±39 | 408,584 | no clear change |
Davison County's population since 2000
From 18,741 in 2000 to 20,069 in 2025: up 7.1%. 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 Davison County?
Davison County holds 15 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Mitchell with 15,756 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Mitchell | 15,660 | $58,620 |
|---|---|---|
| Prosper TownshipGEOID 4603552100 | 682 | $85,208 |
| Mount VernonGEOID 4644100 | 461 | $60,357 |
| Ethan | 365 | $60,417 |
| Perry Township, Davison CountyGEOID 4603549220 | 325 | $108,697 |
| Beulah Township, Davison CountyGEOID 4603505220 | 324 | $101,711 |
| Rome Township, Davison CountyGEOID 4603555740 | 262 | $92,778 |
| Mount Vernon TownshipGEOID 4603544140 | 179 | $105,000 |
| Badger Township, Davison CountyGEOID 4603503020 | 149 | not published |
| Tobin TownshipGEOID 4603563660 | 148 | not published |
| Lisbon TownshipGEOID 4603537820 | 107 | not published |
| Baker Township, Davison CountyGEOID 4603503300 | 83 | $85,893 |
| Union Township, Davison CountyGEOID 4603565020 | 76 | $56,250 |
| Blendon TownshipGEOID 4603505980 | 75 | $160,536 |
| LoomisGEOID 4639020 | 33 | 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 Davison County?
The median resident of Davison County is 39.6 years old; 23.6% are under 18 and 20.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.1%. 2.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Davison County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.6±0.7 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.6%±0.3 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.8%±0.5 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.1% | 4.8% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.2%±0.1 pts | 79.8% | −2.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 3.1%±1.0 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.0%±1.0 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4%±0.9 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±1.4 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 14.0%±1.8 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.0%±2.3 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.5%±1.9 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.6%±2.9 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.6%±1.9 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±0.9 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 Davison County earn?
Half of Davison County's 8,899 households earn less than $66,208 a year (±$7,907), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $62,236 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Davison County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,208±$7,907 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $85,188±$5,257 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,150±$2,468 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.2%±2.4 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.4%±6.1 pts | 14.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.6%±2.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.2%±2.7 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 Davison County?
Owners occupy 61.5% of Davison County's occupied homes and renters 38.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $205,800 by its owner (±$16,963). The median renter pays $847 a month including utilities, and 31.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Davison County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $205,800±$16,963 | $257,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $847±$69 | $946 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.4%±7.1 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,458±$99 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.5%±3.1 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,579±39 | 408,584 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±1.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.5%±4.6 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.3%±3.6 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.2%±1.7 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 22.4%±3.7 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 Davison County building?
Builders took permits for 53 new housing units across Davison County in 2025 (40 single-family), 2.6 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 Davison County get to work?
78.7% of Davison County's workers drive alone and 8.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.1 minutes.
| Measure | Davison County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.3%±2.2 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 78.7%±3.4 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9%±2.7 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9%±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±0.9 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.9%±2.2 pts | 9.7% | +5.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.1 min±1.5 | 17.8 min | +2.0 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 Davison County's census tracts?
Davison County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $43,750 (Tract 9628.01) to $86,295 (Tract 9628.02).
| Tract 962646035962600 | 2,530±375 | $80,625 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 962746035962700 | 5,630±436 | $60,735 |
| Tract 9628.0146035962801 | 2,711±375 | $43,750 |
| Tract 9628.0246035962802 | 3,237±398 | $86,295 |
| Tract 962946035962900 | 5,844±619 | $58,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Davison County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 10th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 37th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 66 |
| Median household income | 46th of 66 |
| Median home value | 22nd of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 21st of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 30th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 41st of 66 |
| Median age | 42nd 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 Davison 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.