County · South Dakota
Hand County, South Dakota
Hand County, South Dakota. Hand County had 3,121 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.8% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. It holds 40 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs, 35 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 46059.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,121
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,145 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,140 ±149
Median household income
$74,635
±$7,251 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$159,300
±$13,590 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$587
±$126 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Hand County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,145 residents in Hand County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,121 for July 1, 2025, down 0.8% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,140 over 1,437 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hand County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,140±149 | 907,428 | no clear change |
| Households | 1,405±96 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.18±0.11 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,719±63 | 408,584 | −113 |
Hand County's population since 2000
From 3,741 in 2000 to 3,121 in 2025: down 16.6%. 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 Hand County?
Hand County holds 40 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 35 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Miller with 1,313 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Miller | 1,349 | $57,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Miller Township, Hand CountyGEOID 4605942500 | 166 | not published |
| St. LawrenceGEOID 4657180 | 163 | $46,000 |
| Rockdale TownshipGEOID 4605955420 | 138 | not published |
| Millerdale ColonyGEOID 4642579 | 129 | not published |
| Ree HeightsGEOID 4653940 | 59 | $74,196 |
| Alpha TownshipGEOID 4605901100 | 58 | not published |
| Ohio TownshipGEOID 4605946580 | 56 | $62,375 |
| St. Lawrence TownshipGEOID 4605957220 | 54 | $31,328 |
| Hulbert TownshipGEOID 4605930860 | 50 | $151,250 |
| Grand TownshipGEOID 4605925100 | 49 | not published |
| Midland TownshipGEOID 4605942180 | 45 | not published |
| Burdette TownshipGEOID 4605908540 | 45 | not published |
| Bates Township, Hand CountyGEOID 4605903820 | 44 | not published |
| Rose Hill TownshipGEOID 4605956220 | 42 | not published |
| Cedar TownshipGEOID 4605910700 | 39 | $143,352 |
| Plato TownshipGEOID 4605950220 | 38 | not published |
| Como TownshipGEOID 4605913540 | 37 | not published |
| Logan Township, Hand CountyGEOID 4605938260 | 35 | not published |
| Pleasant Valley Township, Hand CountyGEOID 4605950820 | 33 | not published |
| Hiland TownshipGEOID 4605929060 | 32 | not published |
| Wheaton TownshipGEOID 4605970860 | 31 | not published |
| Linn TownshipGEOID 4605937780 | 31 | not published |
| Holden TownshipGEOID 4605929660 | 30 | not published |
| Gilbert TownshipGEOID 4605924340 | 28 | not published |
| Alden TownshipGEOID 4605900780 | 27 | $76,667 |
| Ontario TownshipGEOID 4605947220 | 26 | not published |
| Florence Township, Hand CountyGEOID 4605921900 | 26 | not published |
| Spring Hill TownshipGEOID 4605960780 | 26 | not published |
| Spring Lake Township, Hand CountyGEOID 4605960820 | 23 | $79,293 |
| Mondamin TownshipGEOID 4605943300 | 23 | not published |
| Carlton TownshipGEOID 4605909940 | 23 | not published |
| Park TownshipGEOID 4605948340 | 21 | not published |
| Greenleaf TownshipGEOID 4605925980 | 19 | not published |
| Campbell TownshipGEOID 4605909220 | 18 | not published |
| Riverside Township, Hand CountyGEOID 4605955100 | 18 | not published |
| York Township, Hand CountyGEOID 4605973260 | 15 | not published |
| Glendale TownshipGEOID 4605924500 | 12 | not published |
| Pearl Township, Hand CountyGEOID 4605948700 | 12 | not published |
| Wessington | 197 | $58,125 |
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 Hand County?
The median resident of Hand County is 42.5 years old; 25.3% are under 18 and 24.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.1%. 0.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hand County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.5±3.5 | 38.0 | −4.9 |
| Under 18 years | 25.3%±1.5 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.2%±1.9 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1%±0.6 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.2%±3.5 pts | 79.8% | −4.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±1.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.9 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±2.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.5%±2.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.9%±1.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 13.8%±2.2 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.0%±2.7 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.1%±2.3 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.4%±4.2 pts | 31.9% | +6.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.6%±1.8 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.8 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 Hand County earn?
Half of Hand County's 1,405 households earn less than $74,635 a year (±$7,251), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 the median was $66,648 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,987 after inflation. 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hand County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,635±$7,251 | $75,081 | +$7,987 |
| Mean household income | $101,745±$16,658 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,342±$7,401 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 5.2%±1.7 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.6%±2.4 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.8%±2.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.9%±3.1 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 Hand County?
Owners occupy 65.5% of Hand County's occupied homes and renters 34.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $159,300 by its owner (±$13,590). The median renter pays $587 a month including utilities, and 14.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hand County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $159,300±$13,590 | $257,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $587±$126 | $946 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 14.8%±7.7 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,403±$189 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.5%±5.0 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,719±63 | 408,584 | −113 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±2.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.2%±5.9 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.2%±4.3 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.0%±2.5 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 32.0%±5.9 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 Hand County building?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units across Hand County in 2025 (5 single-family), 1.6 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 Hand County get to work?
70.9% of Hand County's workers drive alone and 10.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 13.2 minutes.
| Measure | Hand County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.8%±2.8 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 70.9%±6.1 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9%±2.9 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 9.7%±4.2 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.9%±4.8 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 13.2 min±1.8 | 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 Hand County's census tracts?
Hand County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,519 (Tract 9757) to $96,688 (Tract 9756).
| Tract 975646059975600 | 1,475±200 | $96,688 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 975746059975700 | 1,665±155 | $53,519 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hand County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 46th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 50th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 52nd of 66 |
| Median household income | 23rd of 66 |
| Median home value | 39th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 58th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 65th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21st of 66 |
| Median age | 23rd 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 Hand 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.