County · South Dakota
McPherson County, South Dakota
McPherson County, South Dakota. McPherson County had 2,347 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.5% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. It holds 13 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 5 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 1 census tract. GEOID 46089.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,347
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,411 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,145 ±132
Median household income
$66,906
±$7,668 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$85,600
±$12,225 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$594
±$96 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in McPherson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 2,411 residents in McPherson County. The Census Bureau estimates 2,347 for July 1, 2025, down 2.5% since 2020, while South Dakota grew 5.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 2,145 over 1,137 square miles of land.
| Measure | McPherson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,145±132 | 907,428 | no clear change |
| Households | 915±67 | 365,544 | −115 |
| Average household size | 1.99±0.14 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,205±80 | 408,584 | −232 |
McPherson County's population since 2000
From 2,904 in 2000 to 2,347 in 2025: down 19.2%. 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 McPherson County?
McPherson County holds 13 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 5 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Eureka with 775 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Eureka | 813 | $47,583 |
|---|---|---|
| Leola | 434 | $71,250 |
| Weber TownshipGEOID 4608969700 | 244 | $133,846 |
| Spring Creek ColonyGEOID 4660540 | 229 | not published |
| Grassland ColonyGEOID 4625741 | 127 | not published |
| Carl TownshipGEOID 4608909820 | 30 | $138,500 |
| Long LakeGEOID 4638860 | 27 | $61,042 |
| Wachter TownshipGEOID 4608967940 | 27 | not published |
| Hoffman TownshipGEOID 4608929540 | 23 | $96,250 |
| WetonkaGEOID 4670740 | 16 | not published |
| Wacker TownshipGEOID 4608967980 | 16 | not published |
| Long Lake ColonyGEOID 4638900 | 8 | not published |
| HillsviewGEOID 4629340 | 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 McPherson County?
The median resident of McPherson County is 50.0 years old; 19.3% are under 18 and 33.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.8%.
| Measure | McPherson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.0±7.8 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.3%±3.7 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 33.1%±3.9 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.8%±1.2 pts | 79.8% | +1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±1.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.9%±13.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.8%±3.3 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.2%±7.4 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.9%±2.1 pts | 9.0% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.4%±9.1 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.5%±10.2 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.4%±6.4 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±1.0 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 McPherson County earn?
Half of McPherson County's 915 households earn less than $66,906 a year (±$7,668), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $54,857 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | McPherson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,906±$7,668 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $106,329±$18,510 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,476±$7,370 | $40,550 | +$11,329 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.9%±4.5 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 4.4%±4.1 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.2%±2.4 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.0%±5.3 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 McPherson County?
Owners occupy 81.3% of McPherson County's occupied homes and renters 18.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $85,600 by its owner (±$12,225). The median renter pays $594 a month including utilities, and 17.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | McPherson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $85,600±$12,225 | $257,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $594±$96 | $946 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 17.9%±11.6 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,090±$144 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.3%±4.5 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,205±80 | 408,584 | −232 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±2.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.0%±8.9 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.6%±4.3 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.6%±3.1 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 25.7%±4.9 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 McPherson County building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units across McPherson County in 2025 (7 single-family), 3.0 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 McPherson County get to work?
67.8% of McPherson County's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 18.4 minutes.
| Measure | McPherson County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.5%±4.2 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.1%±2.0 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 67.8%±13.1 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3%±4.0 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±2.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 9.8%±3.4 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.6%±12.6 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.4 min±4.1 | 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 McPherson County's census tracts?
McPherson County is a single census tract.
| Tract 963146089963100 | 2,145±132 | $66,906 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does McPherson County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 56th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 58th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 54th of 66 |
| Median household income | 45th of 66 |
| Median home value | 61st of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 57th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 23rd of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30th of 66 |
| Median age | 5th 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 McPherson 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.