County · South Dakota
Hanson County, South Dakota
Hanson County, South Dakota. Hanson County had 3,456 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.2% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. It holds 20 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs, 12 towns and townships and 4 census-designated) and 1 census tract. GEOID 46061.
Hanson 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
3,456
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,461 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,472
Median household income
$81,071
±$13,957 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$191,200
±$13,678 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$782
±$71 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Hanson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,461 residents in Hanson County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,456 for July 1, 2025, down 0.2% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,472 over 435 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hanson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,472 | 907,428 | +73 |
| Households | 1,132±55 | 365,544 | +87 |
| Average household size | 3.02±0.15 | 2.39 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 1,291±17 | 408,584 | +87 |
Hanson County's population since 2000
From 3,139 in 2000 to 3,456 in 2025: up 10.1%. 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 Hanson County?
Hanson County holds 20 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 12 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Alexandria with 655 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Alexandria | 649 | $102,679 |
|---|---|---|
| Emery | 484 | $67,321 |
| Rosedale Township, Hanson CountyGEOID 4606156060 | 313 | $48,561 |
| Hanson TownshipGEOID 4606126940 | 305 | $110,500 |
| Beulah Township, Hanson CountyGEOID 4606105260 | 285 | $103,750 |
| Pleasant Township, Hanson CountyGEOID 4606150380 | 273 | $87,917 |
| Wayne Township, Hanson CountyGEOID 4606169540 | 205 | $78,750 |
| Jasper TownshipGEOID 4606132420 | 193 | $142,850 |
| Oak Lane ColonyGEOID 4646388 | 138 | not published |
| Fairview Township, Hanson CountyGEOID 4606120740 | 130 | not published |
| Spring Lake Township, Hanson CountyGEOID 4606160860 | 128 | not published |
| Worthen TownshipGEOID 4606172780 | 115 | $88,036 |
| Plano TownshipGEOID 4606150140 | 110 | not published |
| Millbrook ColonyGEOID 4642440 | 98 | not published |
| Edgerton TownshipGEOID 4606118340 | 92 | $87,500 |
| FultonGEOID 4623220 | 87 | $56,667 |
| Rockport ColonyGEOID 4655620 | 77 | not published |
| Taylor Township, Hanson CountyGEOID 4606163020 | 77 | $41,667 |
| FarmerGEOID 4621060 | 15 | not published |
| Rosedale ColonyGEOID 4656140 | 0 | 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 Hanson County?
The median resident of Hanson County is 38.3 years old; 28.7% are under 18 and 16.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 6.5%.
| Measure | Hanson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.3±0.5 | 38.0 | +1.6 |
| Under 18 years | 28.7%±0.9 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.3%±0.4 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4%±0.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.8%±1.9 pts | 79.8% | −7.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.5%±2.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.2%±1.1 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.5%±2.1 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9%±2.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 7.7%±1.7 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.8%±5.0 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.2%±3.5 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.5%±3.7 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±1.7 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.1%±0.2 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 Hanson County earn?
Half of Hanson County's 1,132 households earn less than $81,071 a year (±$13,957), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $79,621 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hanson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $81,071±$13,957 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $104,104±$7,075 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,423±$2,290 | $40,550 | +$6,720 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.0%±2.7 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.4%±7.9 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.1%±1.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.8%±2.4 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 Hanson County?
Owners occupy 89.4% of Hanson County's occupied homes and renters 10.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $191,200 by its owner (±$13,678). The median renter pays $782 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Hanson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $191,200±$13,678 | $257,400 | +$30,225 |
| Median gross rent | $782±$71 | $946 | −$180 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 7.1%±7.1 pts | 30.4% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,533±$80 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 89.4%±3.2 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,291±17 | 408,584 | +87 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±2.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5%±8.0 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 92.6%±2.1 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.2%±1.6 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 37.7%±5.8 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 Hanson County building?
Builders took permits for 8 new housing units across Hanson County in 2025 (8 single-family), 2.3 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 Hanson County get to work?
75.8% of Hanson County's workers drive alone and 10.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.7 minutes.
| Measure | Hanson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.2%±3.2 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8%±1.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 75.8%±5.5 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.1%±2.2 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 5.7%±2.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.6%±4.4 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.7 min±2.0 | 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 Hanson County's census tracts?
Hanson County is a single census tract.
| Tract 964146061964100 | 3,472 | $81,071 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hanson County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 44th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 41st of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 25th of 66 |
| Median household income | 11th of 66 |
| Median home value | 26th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 27th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 55th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43rd of 66 |
| Median age | 46th 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 Hanson 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.