County · South Dakota
McCook County, South Dakota
McCook County, South Dakota. McCook County had 5,964 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.0% since 2020, in line with South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 23 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 16 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 46087.
McCook County is one of the 5 counties of the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,964
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,682 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,751
Median household income
$83,852
±$2,719 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$230,100
±$19,605 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$945
±$79 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in McCook County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,682 residents in McCook County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,964 for July 1, 2025, up 5.0% since 2020, in line with South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,751 over 574 square miles of land.
| Measure | McCook County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,751 | 907,428 | +203 |
| Households | 2,221±84 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.51±0.09 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,473±32 | 408,584 | no clear change |
McCook County's population since 2000
From 5,832 in 2000 to 5,964 in 2025: up 2.3%. 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 McCook County?
McCook County holds 23 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 16 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Salem with 1,357 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Salem | 1,325 | $74,881 |
|---|---|---|
| Canistota | 631 | $76,250 |
| Bridgewater | 511 | $47,083 |
| Montrose | 468 | $78,125 |
| Spring Valley Township, McCook CountyGEOID 4608761060 | 338 | $107,813 |
| Greenland Township | 323 | $111,667 |
| Salem Township, McCook CountyGEOID 4608757380 | 273 | $100,000 |
| Montrose TownshipGEOID 4608743540 | 188 | $79,844 |
| Richland Township, McCook CountyGEOID 4608754740 | 147 | $83,848 |
| Brookfield TownshipGEOID 4608707540 | 145 | $84,423 |
| Grant Township, McCook CountyGEOID 4608725660 | 144 | $105,577 |
| Sun Prairie TownshipGEOID 4608762420 | 140 | $86,989 |
| Canistota TownshipGEOID 4608709340 | 139 | $125,417 |
| Bridgewater TownshipGEOID 4608707220 | 138 | not published |
| SpencerGEOID 4660060 | 136 | $67,188 |
| Emery TownshipGEOID 4608719460 | 128 | $121,705 |
| Union Township, McCook CountyGEOID 4608765340 | 126 | $89,792 |
| Benton Township, McCook CountyGEOID 4608704820 | 107 | not published |
| Jefferson Township, McCook CountyGEOID 4608732580 | 106 | $126,250 |
| Ramsey TownshipGEOID 4608752900 | 105 | $123,125 |
| Golden View ColonyGEOID 4624760 | 95 | not published |
| Pearl Township, McCook CountyGEOID 4608748740 | 64 | not published |
| Orland ColonyGEOID 4647588 | 2 | 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 McCook County?
The median resident of McCook County is 39.5 years old; 28.5% are under 18 and 18.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.6%.
| Measure | McCook County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5±1.2 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 28.5% | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.8%±0.3 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% | 4.8% | −0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.6%±0.4 pts | 79.8% | −0.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.7%±0.6 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.6%±1.1 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.8%±2.1 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.0%±1.6 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 10.5%±1.6 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8%±1.4 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.5%±2.5 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 29.9%±4.1 pts | 31.9% | +5.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.7%±2.1 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4%±1.5 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 McCook County earn?
Half of McCook County's 2,221 households earn less than $83,852 a year (±$2,719), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 the median was $75,696 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $8,156 after inflation. 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | McCook County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,852±$2,719 | $75,081 | +$8,156 |
| Mean household income | $101,460±$5,852 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,288±$2,128 | $40,550 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.8%±2.4 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.6%±4.2 pts | 14.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.0%±1.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.5%±2.3 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 McCook County?
Owners occupy 79.5% of McCook County's occupied homes and renters 20.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $230,100 by its owner (±$19,605). The median renter pays $945 a month including utilities, and 30.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | McCook County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $230,100±$19,605 | $257,400 | +$60,510 |
| Median gross rent | $945±$79 | $946 | +$237 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.6%±9.0 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,662±$185 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.5%±3.3 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,473±32 | 408,584 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±1.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.6%±5.9 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.3%±2.6 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.9%±1.4 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 28.1%±3.0 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 McCook County building?
Builders took permits for 19 new housing units across McCook County in 2025 (19 single-family), 3.2 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 McCook County get to work?
77.4% of McCook County's workers drive alone and 11.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.8%.
| Measure | McCook County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.4%±2.2 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8%±1.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 77.4%±3.2 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7%±1.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.2%±1.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.2%±2.2 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.2 min±1.9 | 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 McCook County's census tracts?
McCook County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $83,235 (Tract 9647) to $84,004 (Tract 9646).
| Tract 964646087964600 | 3,159±174 | $84,004 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 964746087964700 | 2,592±174 | $83,235 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does McCook County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 30th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 13th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 20th of 66 |
| Median household income | 7th of 66 |
| Median home value | 14th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 13th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 57th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16th 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 McCook 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.