County · South Dakota
Jones County, South Dakota
Jones County, South Dakota. Jones County had 913 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.8% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. It holds 14 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs, 11 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 1 census tract. GEOID 46075.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
913
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 917 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,004 ±131
Median household income
$65,119
±$11,041 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$139,600
±$33,361 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$543
±$411 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Jones County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 917 residents in Jones County. The Census Bureau estimates 913 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 1,004 over 970 square miles of land.
| Measure | Jones County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,004±131 | 907,428 | +211 |
| Households | 342±54 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.94±0.44 | 2.39 | +1.00 |
| Housing units | 479±50 | 408,584 | −97 |
Jones County's population since 2000
From 1,193 in 2000 to 913 in 2025: down 23.5%. 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 Jones County?
Jones County holds 14 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Murdo with 482 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Murdo | 475 | $67,045 |
|---|---|---|
| Okaton TownshipGEOID 4607546640 | 47 | $113,438 |
| DraperGEOID 4617020 | 46 | $66,250 |
| Buffalo Township, Jones CountyGEOID 4607508180 | 40 | not published |
| Williams Creek TownshipGEOID 4607571780 | 35 | not published |
| OkatonGEOID 4646620 | 31 | not published |
| Draper TownshipGEOID 4607517060 | 31 | not published |
| Dunkel TownshipGEOID 4607517380 | 17 | not published |
| Mullen TownshipGEOID 4607544220 | 12 | not published |
| Zickrick TownshipGEOID 4607573420 | 9 | not published |
| Kolls TownshipGEOID 4607534220 | 9 | not published |
| Scovil TownshipGEOID 4607558060 | 8 | not published |
| Virgil TownshipGEOID 4607567540 | 6 | not published |
| Mussman TownshipGEOID 4607544380 | 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 Jones County?
The median resident of Jones County is 33.9 years old; 31.8% are under 18 and 24.4% 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 17.4%.
| Measure | Jones County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.9±11.6 | 38.0 | −19.6 |
| Under 18 years | 31.8%±6.7 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.4%±7.3 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.0%±1.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.2%±9.6 pts | 79.8% | −12.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±2.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±2.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 17.4%±9.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±2.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.1%±1.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.7%±3.8 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.3%±5.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.6%±2.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 7.5%±4.8 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.7%±5.6 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.2%±6.8 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.4%±8.4 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.8%±5.9 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0%±2.5 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 Jones County earn?
Half of Jones County's 342 households earn less than $65,119 a year (±$11,041), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $56,795 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Jones County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,119±$11,041 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,711±$14,876 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,267±$5,652 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.3%±8.7 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 29.1%±20.1 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 1.2%±1.2 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.2%±5.6 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 Jones County?
Owners occupy 76.3% of Jones County's occupied homes and renters 23.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $139,600 by its owner (±$33,361).
| Measure | Jones County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $139,600±$33,361 | $257,400 | +$44,714 |
| Median gross rent | $543±$411 | $946 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 3.8%±5.9 pts | 30.4% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,431±$163 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.3%±9.2 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 479±50 | 408,584 | −97 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±9.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 12.3%±15.1 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 60.8%±10.7 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 29.0%±9.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.8%±8.1 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 Jones County building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Jones County in 2025 (3 single-family), 3.3 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 Jones County get to work?
66.1% of Jones County's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 15.3 minutes.
| Measure | Jones County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.5%±7.6 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.1%±2.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 66.1%±11.5 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.5%±3.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±5.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 17.7%±8.3 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.7%±9.1 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.3 min±4.3 | 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 Jones County's census tracts?
Jones County is a single census tract.
| Tract 91646075091600 | 1,004±131 | $65,119 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Jones County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 66th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 49th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 65th of 66 |
| Median household income | 50th of 66 |
| Median home value | 49th of 66 |
| Poverty rate | 15th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26th of 66 |
| Median age | 57th 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 Jones 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.