County · South Dakota
Dewey County, South Dakota
Dewey County, South Dakota. Dewey County had 5,419 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.3% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 9 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 46041.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,419
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,239 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,205
Median household income
$54,104
±$5,497 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$69,600
±$16,820 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$692
±$63 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Dewey County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,239 residents in Dewey County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,419 for July 1, 2025, up 3.3% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,205 over 2,302 square miles of land.
| Measure | Dewey County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,205 | 907,428 | −628 |
| Households | 1,692±53 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.03±0.08 | 2.39 | −0.47 |
| Housing units | 1,931±37 | 408,584 | −94 |
Dewey County's population since 2000
From 5,972 in 2000 to 5,419 in 2025: down 9.3%. 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 Dewey County?
Dewey County holds 9 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is North Eagle Butte with 1,481 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| North Eagle Butte | 1,879 | $34,358 |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Butte | 1,258 | $45,741 |
| Timber Lake | 509 | $60,694 |
| La PlantGEOID 4635940 | 167 | $18,654 |
| Isabel | 145 | $68,750 |
| Swift BirdGEOID 4662716 | 117 | not published |
| WhitehorseGEOID 4671140 | 106 | $59,250 |
| LantryGEOID 4635900 | 33 | not published |
| Green GrassGEOID 4625900 | 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 Dewey County?
The median resident of Dewey County is 27.7 years old; 38.3% are under 18 and 10.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 73.8%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 21.0%.
| Measure | Dewey County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 27.7±0.6 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 38.3% | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.0% | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.0%±1.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 21.0%±0.2 pts | 79.8% | +1.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 73.8%±2.6 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 | 3.6%±1.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.1%±1.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3%±1.2 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 10.6%±1.8 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 21.2%±2.9 pts | 9.0% | −6.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.7%±3.3 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.8%±2.7 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.0%±1.6 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±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 Dewey County earn?
Half of Dewey County's 1,692 households earn less than $54,104 a year (±$5,497), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $58,427 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 33.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dewey County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,104±$5,497 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,205±$4,408 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $21,560±$1,418 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 33.0%±4.9 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 36.3%±7.6 pts | 14.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.2%±3.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.7%±3.4 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 Dewey County?
Owners occupy 61.2% of Dewey County's occupied homes and renters 38.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $69,600 by its owner (±$16,820). The median renter pays $692 a month including utilities, and 26.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dewey County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $69,600±$16,820 | $257,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $692±$63 | $946 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.3%±9.0 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,128±$103 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.2%±5.1 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,931±37 | 408,584 | −94 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.1%±3.3 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.6%±3.4 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.9%±2.8 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.0%±2.0 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 Dewey County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Dewey 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 Dewey County get to work?
71.9% of Dewey County's workers drive alone and 13.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 13.9%.
| Measure | Dewey County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.7%±3.2 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 13.9%±3.1 pts | 2.9% | −7.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 71.9%±4.7 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9%±3.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±1.0 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.5%±3.6 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.5 min±2.5 | 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 Dewey County's census tracts?
Dewey County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $39,914 (Tract 9415) to $61,486 (Tract 9417).
| Tract 941546041941500 | 2,463±211 | $39,914 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 941746041941700 | 2,742±211 | $61,486 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Dewey County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 36th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 18th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 50th of 66 |
| Median household income | 58th of 66 |
| Median home value | 64th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 46th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 8th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 57th of 66 |
| Median age | 62nd 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 Dewey 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.