County · South Dakota
Day County, South Dakota
Day County, South Dakota. Day County had 5,484 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.6% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 37 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs, 28 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 46037.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,484
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,449 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,437
Median household income
$66,033
±$11,116 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$173,600
±$13,684 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$660
±$44 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Day County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,449 residents in Day County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,484 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 5,437 over 1,028 square miles of land.
| Measure | Day County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,437 | 907,428 | −49 |
| Households | 2,371±104 | 365,544 | −203 |
| Average household size | 2.24±0.10 | 2.39 | +0.16 |
| Housing units | 3,440±39 | 408,584 | −353 |
Day County's population since 2000
From 6,267 in 2000 to 5,484 in 2025: down 12.5%. 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 Day County?
Day County holds 37 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 28 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Webster with 1,681 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Webster | 1,728 | $55,179 |
|---|---|---|
| Waubay Township | 505 | $38,571 |
| Waubay | 473 | $36,389 |
| Enemy Swim | 310 | $30,357 |
| Bristol | 288 | $56,250 |
| Webster TownshipGEOID 4603769740 | 284 | $105,417 |
| Kosciusko Township | 203 | $105,139 |
| Roslyn | 181 | $49,375 |
| PierpontGEOID 4649540 | 129 | $92,500 |
| Andover TownshipGEOID 4603701540 | 111 | $110,750 |
| Rusk TownshipGEOID 4603756940 | 111 | not published |
| Nutley TownshipGEOID 4603746140 | 89 | not published |
| Wheatland TownshipGEOID 4603770820 | 88 | $53,750 |
| Racine TownshipGEOID 4603752660 | 87 | not published |
| Morton TownshipGEOID 4603743900 | 84 | not published |
| Liberty Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603736860 | 83 | not published |
| Union Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603765060 | 80 | not published |
| Central Point TownshipGEOID 4603711180 | 73 | $108,929 |
| Raritan TownshipGEOID 4603753020 | 69 | not published |
| AndoverGEOID 4601500 | 66 | $68,333 |
| Grenville TownshipGEOID 4603726260 | 65 | $115,938 |
| Highland Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603728780 | 62 | $83,929 |
| Bristol Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603707340 | 61 | not published |
| Kidder TownshipGEOID 4603733860 | 59 | $82,813 |
| Butler Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603708900 | 54 | not published |
| GrenvilleGEOID 4626220 | 48 | $90,385 |
| Valley Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603766020 | 47 | not published |
| Homer TownshipGEOID 4603729860 | 45 | not published |
| Troy Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603764100 | 43 | $75,667 |
| Egeland TownshipGEOID 4603718540 | 41 | $91,750 |
| Independence Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603731460 | 36 | $76,125 |
| Farmington Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603721140 | 36 | not published |
| York Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603773220 | 34 | not published |
| Lynn Township, Day CountyGEOID 4603739580 | 31 | $74,750 |
| Scotland TownshipGEOID 4603758020 | 28 | not published |
| Oak Gulch TownshipGEOID 4603746260 | 23 | not published |
| ButlerGEOID 4608860 | 4 | 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 Day County?
The median resident of Day County is 44.8 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 26.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.0%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 9.8%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Day County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.8±1.5 | 38.0 | −2.9 |
| Under 18 years | 22.4%±0.6 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.7%±0.6 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8% | 4.8% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.0%±1.4 pts | 79.8% | −2.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 9.8%±1.0 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 | 4.2%±1.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±1.0 pts | 4.0% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.9%±1.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.6%±1.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 13.2%±1.9 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.5%±1.8 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.4%±1.8 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.0%±2.7 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.1%±1.4 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.4%±2.2 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 Day County earn?
Half of Day County's 2,371 households earn less than $66,033 a year (±$11,116), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $57,448 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Day County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,033±$11,116 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $91,552±$7,913 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,593±$3,378 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.8%±3.2 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.5%±8.4 pts | 14.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.1%±2.3 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.8%±3.3 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 Day County?
Owners occupy 74.6% of Day County's occupied homes and renters 25.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $173,600 by its owner (±$13,684). The median renter pays $660 a month including utilities, and 22.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Day County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $173,600±$13,684 | $257,400 | +$49,915 |
| Median gross rent | $660±$44 | $946 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 22.6%±9.3 pts | 30.4% | −14.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,247±$144 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.6%±3.8 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,440±39 | 408,584 | −353 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.6%±2.5 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.1%±2.4 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.3%±1.1 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.7%±3.1 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 Day County building?
Builders took permits for 30 new housing units across Day County in 2025 (30 single-family), 5.5 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 Day County get to work?
76.3% of Day County's workers drive alone and 12.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.1%.
| Measure | Day County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.5%±3.1 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.1%±1.1 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.3%±4.4 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4%±2.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.2%±1.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.0%±3.5 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.3 min±3.2 | 17.8 min | +6.2 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 Day County's census tracts?
Day County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $57,107 (Tract 9528) to $75,265 (Tract 9527).
| Tract 952746037952700 | 1,413±121 | $75,265 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 952846037952800 | 2,152±196 | $57,107 |
| Tract 952946037952900 | 1,872±176 | $65,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Day County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 32nd of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 36th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 34th of 66 |
| Median household income | 47th of 66 |
| Median home value | 29th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 48th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 19th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45th of 66 |
| Median age | 14th 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 Day 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.