County · South Dakota
Jackson County, South Dakota
Jackson County, South Dakota. Jackson County had 2,666 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.9% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. It holds 9 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs, 4 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 46071.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,666
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,806 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,802
Median household income
$35,417
±$21,129 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$117,300
±$12,285 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$442
±$76 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Jackson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 2,806 residents in Jackson County. The Census Bureau estimates 2,666 for July 1, 2025, down 4.9% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 2,802 over 1,864 square miles of land.
| Measure | Jackson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,802 | 907,428 | −488 |
| Households | 830±95 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.33±0.38 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,086±92 | 408,584 | −192 |
Jackson County's population since 2000
From 2,930 in 2000 to 2,666 in 2025: down 9.0%. 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 Jackson County?
Jackson County holds 9 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 4 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Wanblee with 534 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| WanbleeGEOID 4668580 | 674 | not published |
|---|---|---|
| Kadoka | 543 | $43,750 |
| InteriorGEOID 4631620 | 65 | not published |
| Interior TownshipGEOID 4607131660 | 59 | not published |
| BelvidereGEOID 4604620 | 46 | $50,469 |
| Weta TownshipGEOID 4607170700 | 25 | not published |
| CottonwoodGEOID 4614220 | 12 | not published |
| Wall TownshipGEOID 4607168340 | 11 | not published |
| Grandview II TownshipGEOID 4607125520 | 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 Jackson County?
The median resident of Jackson County is 34.3 years old; 32.9% are under 18 and 12.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 61.2%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 36.6%.
| Measure | Jackson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.3±2.8 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 32.9%±4.4 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.4%±2.9 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.4%±0.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 36.6%±5.3 pts | 79.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 61.2%±5.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.7%±1.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.0%±3.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.4%±1.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.0%±2.7 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 27.4%±6.1 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.9%±4.1 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.4%±3.7 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.2%±1.6 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3%±0.5 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 Jackson County earn?
Half of Jackson County's 830 households earn less than $35,417 a year (±$21,129), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $40,976 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 42.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Jackson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $35,417±$21,129 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $52,743±$9,362 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $18,066±$3,605 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 42.4%±11.9 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 39.6%±15.4 pts | 14.3% | −22.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.5%±7.2 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 62.7%±7.0 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 Jackson County?
Owners occupy 67.3% of Jackson County's occupied homes and renters 32.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $117,300 by its owner (±$12,285). The median renter pays $442 a month including utilities, and 38.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Jackson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $117,300±$12,285 | $257,400 | +$52,689 |
| Median gross rent | $442±$76 | $946 | −$228 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.8%±17.8 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,278±$342 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.3%±6.8 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,086±92 | 408,584 | −192 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±4.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.9%±3.6 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.0%±5.8 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.6%±5.2 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±2.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.4%±4.7 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 Jackson County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Jackson 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 Jackson County get to work?
79.5% of Jackson County's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 11.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.2%.
| Measure | Jackson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 43.3%±7.6 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.2%±3.5 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5%±7.3 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.2%±2.4 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±3.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.1%±2.9 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.9%±6.6 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 11.4 min±2.1 | 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 Jackson County's census tracts?
Jackson County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $23,676 (Tract 9412) to $43,889 (Tract 9611).
| Tract 941246071941200 | 1,922±151 | $23,676 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 961146071961100 | 880±151 | $43,889 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Jackson County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 50th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 64th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 58th of 66 |
| Median household income | 66th of 66 |
| Median home value | 57th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 65th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 4th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 64th of 66 |
| Median age | 56th 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 Jackson 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.