County · South Dakota
Hamlin County, South Dakota
Hamlin County, South Dakota. Hamlin County had 6,900 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 11.8% since 2020, faster than South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 22 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs, 13 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 46057.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,900
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,164 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,373
Median household income
$87,101
±$2,886 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$208,600
±$16,083 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$800
±$212 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Hamlin County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,164 residents in Hamlin County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,900 for July 1, 2025, up 11.8% since 2020, faster than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,373 over 507 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hamlin County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,373 | 907,428 | +348 |
| Households | 2,194±109 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.83±0.14 | 2.39 | +0.24 |
| Housing units | 2,860±26 | 408,584 | no clear change |
Hamlin County's population since 2000
From 5,540 in 2000 to 6,900 in 2025: up 24.5%. 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 Hamlin County?
Hamlin County holds 22 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 13 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Estelline with 792 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Estelline | 749 | $78,438 |
|---|---|---|
| Castlewood | 698 | $87,045 |
| Norden Township, Hamlin CountyGEOID 4605745340 | 625 | $112,601 |
| Lake Norden | 554 | $75,688 |
| Bryant | 471 | $62,000 |
| Lake PoinsettGEOID 4635480 | 501 | $96,875 |
| Hayti | 393 | $83,750 |
| Oxford TownshipGEOID 4605748060 | 312 | $70,972 |
| Estelline Township | 308 | $80,972 |
| Cleveland Township, Hamlin CountyGEOID 4605712860 | 272 | $106,023 |
| Hayti TownshipGEOID 4605727860 | 266 | $250,000 or more |
| Hamlin TownshipGEOID 4605726780 | 255 | $95,795 |
| Dempster TownshipGEOID 4605716140 | 222 | $124,375 |
| Castlewood TownshipGEOID 4605710540 | 194 | $156,667 |
| Opdahl TownshipGEOID 4605747300 | 169 | $45,938 |
| Florence Township, Hamlin CountyGEOID 4605721860 | 168 | $100,781 |
| Garfield Township, Hamlin CountyGEOID 4605723660 | 148 | $156,818 |
| Brantford TownshipGEOID 4605707020 | 148 | $124,125 |
| Dixon Township, Hamlin CountyGEOID 4605716740 | 110 | not published |
| HazelGEOID 4627940 | 102 | $117,250 |
| Claremont ColonyGEOID 4612148 | 68 | not published |
| Poinsett ColonyGEOID 4651220 | 5 | 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 Hamlin County?
The median resident of Hamlin County is 31.8 years old; 33.1% are under 18 and 14.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.9%. 3.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hamlin County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.8±0.5 | 38.0 | −3.2 |
| Under 18 years | 33.1% | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.3%±0.1 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.9% | 4.8% | +1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.2%±0.4 pts | 79.8% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.9%±0.7 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.7%±0.9 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±1.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 7.5%±0.9 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.7%±1.8 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.9%±2.0 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.5%±2.8 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.1%±1.5 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±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 Hamlin County earn?
Half of Hamlin County's 2,194 households earn less than $87,101 a year (±$2,886), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $82,586 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hamlin County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $87,101±$2,886 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $109,883±$11,220 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,106±$4,091 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.9%±2.9 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.5%±5.8 pts | 14.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.2%±1.2 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.2%±3.5 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 Hamlin County?
Owners occupy 82.0% of Hamlin County's occupied homes and renters 18.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $208,600 by its owner (±$16,083). The median renter pays $800 a month including utilities, and 19.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hamlin County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $208,600±$16,083 | $257,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $800±$212 | $946 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 19.5%±8.4 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,555±$65 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.0%±2.8 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,860±26 | 408,584 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±1.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.3%±4.3 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 88.4%±2.7 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.9%±2.2 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9%±1.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 31.7%±3.4 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 Hamlin County building?
Builders took permits for 71 new housing units across Hamlin County in 2025 (57 single-family), 10.3 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 Hamlin County get to work?
73.4% of Hamlin County's workers drive alone and 7.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes.
| Measure | Hamlin County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.0%±1.8 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 73.4%±3.3 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.0%±2.5 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 7.3%±2.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.0%±1.8 pts | 9.7% | −3.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min±1.7 | 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 Hamlin County's census tracts?
Hamlin County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $86,019 (Tract 9552) to $88,750 (Tract 9551).
| Tract 955146057955100 | 2,757±230 | $88,750 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 955246057955200 | 3,616±230 | $86,019 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hamlin County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 28th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 4th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 18th of 66 |
| Median household income | 4th of 66 |
| Median home value | 20th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 26th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 56th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37th of 66 |
| Median age | 58th 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 Hamlin 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.