County · South Dakota
Hughes County, South Dakota
Hughes County, South Dakota. Hughes County had 17,570 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. It holds 5 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 1 town or township and 1 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 46065.
Hughes County is one of the 2 counties of the Pierre, SD micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
17,570
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,765 · ACS 2020-2024: 17,664
Median household income
$81,395
±$5,889 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$242,000
±$15,163 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$990
±$89 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Hughes County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,765 residents in Hughes County. The Census Bureau estimates 17,570 for July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 17,664 over 742 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hughes County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 17,664 | 907,428 | +56 |
| Households | 7,253±208 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.30±0.07 | 2.39 | +0.10 |
| Housing units | 7,997±41 | 408,584 | no clear change |
Hughes County's population since 2000
From 16,481 in 2000 to 17,570 in 2025: up 6.6%. 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 Hughes County?
Hughes County holds 5 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 1 town or township (a county subdivision with its own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Pierre with 13,848 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Pierre | 14,091 | $77,672 |
|---|---|---|
| Oahe AcresGEOID 4646240 | 503 | $78,750 |
| BluntGEOID 4606180 | 342 | $65,208 |
| HarroldGEOID 4627420 | 101 | $58,750 |
| Raber TownshipGEOID 4606552620 | 33 | 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 Hughes County?
The median resident of Hughes County is 39.5 years old; 24.4% are under 18 and 18.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.2%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 10.8%. 1.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hughes County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5±0.8 | 38.0 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 24.4%±0.3 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.0%±0.4 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.3% | 4.8% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.2%±0.5 pts | 79.8% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 10.8%±1.5 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.1%±1.6 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1%±0.7 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.1%±1.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.2%±1.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 13.1%±1.8 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.7%±2.0 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.7%±1.1 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 39.0%±3.5 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.0%±2.6 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.8%±1.6 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 Hughes County earn?
Half of Hughes County's 7,253 households earn less than $81,395 a year (±$5,889), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $79,728 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hughes County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $81,395±$5,889 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $99,105±$6,659 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,202±$2,658 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.2%±2.1 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.1%±3.7 pts | 14.3% | −10.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.1%±2.1 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.1%±1.8 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 Hughes County?
Owners occupy 72.0% of Hughes County's occupied homes and renters 28.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $242,000 by its owner (±$15,163). The median renter pays $990 a month including utilities, and 26.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hughes County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $242,000±$15,163 | $257,400 | +$23,552 |
| Median gross rent | $990±$89 | $946 | +$162 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.6%±7.3 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,619±$106 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.0%±3.1 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,997±41 | 408,584 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.5%±4.2 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.2%±3.8 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.8%±2.8 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.0%±1.6 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 Hughes County building?
Builders took permits for 29 new housing units across Hughes County in 2025 (29 single-family), 1.7 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 Hughes County get to work?
79.1% of Hughes County's workers drive alone and 4.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.6 minutes.
| Measure | Hughes County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.0%±2.2 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 79.1%±3.2 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.3%±2.4 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0%±1.0 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.2%±1.7 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.7%±2.1 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.6 min±1.9 | 17.8 min | +3.2 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 Hughes County's census tracts?
Hughes County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $65,972 (Tract 9779) to $98,910 (Tract 9780).
| Tract 977746065977700 | 5,674±450 | $83,672 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 977846065977800 | 5,404±454 | $84,412 |
| Tract 977946065977900 | 3,412±468 | $65,972 |
| Tract 978046065978000 | 3,174±290 | $98,910 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hughes County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 12th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 53rd of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 11th of 66 |
| Median household income | 10th of 66 |
| Median home value | 11th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 8th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 43rd of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4th of 66 |
| Median age | 43rd 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 Hughes 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.