County · South Dakota
Meade County, South Dakota
Meade County, South Dakota. Meade County had 30,711 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.9% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 16 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 8 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 46093.
Meade County is one of the 3 counties of the Rapid City, SD metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
30,711
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 29,852 · ACS 2020-2024: 30,546
Median household income
$74,790
±$7,020 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$310,900
±$18,105 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$1,264
±$122 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Meade County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 29,852 residents in Meade County. The Census Bureau estimates 30,711 for July 1, 2025, up 2.9% since 2020, slower than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 30,546 over 3,471 square miles of land.
| Measure | Meade County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 30,546 | 907,428 | +2,829 |
| Households | 11,968±425 | 365,544 | +941 |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.05 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,871±292 | 408,584 | +806 |
Meade County's population since 2000
From 24,253 in 2000 to 30,711 in 2025: up 26.6%. 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 Meade County?
Meade County holds 16 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 8 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Sturgis with 6,922 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Sturgis | 7,020 | $54,404 |
|---|---|---|
| Box Elder | 11,746 | $73,008 |
| Blackhawk | 3,026 | $71,993 |
| Summerset | 2,972 | $119,271 |
| Piedmont | 971 | $53,866 |
| Wonderland HomesGEOID 4672590 | 718 | $86,932 |
| Blucksberg MountainGEOID 4606120 | 467 | $89,500 |
| FaithGEOID 4620980 | 367 | $47,083 |
| Lakeside TownshipGEOID 4609335540 | 71 | $250,000 or more |
| Dakota TownshipGEOID 4609315255 | 53 | not published |
| Smithville TownshipGEOID 4609359610 | 25 | not published |
| Elm Springs TownshipGEOID 4609319100 | 23 | not published |
| Union Township, Meade CountyGEOID 4609365380 | 18 | not published |
| Eagle Township, Meade CountyGEOID 4609317580 | 17 | not published |
| Howard Township, Meade CountyGEOID 4609330420 | 14 | not published |
| Upper Red Owl TownshipGEOID 4609365660 | 11 | 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 Meade County?
The median resident of Meade County is 37.3 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 16.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.4%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Meade County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.3±1.6 | 38.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2% | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.7%±0.2 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.9% | 4.8% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.0%±1.0 pts | 79.8% | −2.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | −0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.7 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 | 5.4%±1.1 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4%±1.1 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.7%±1.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 14.0%±1.6 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.4%±2.0 pts | 9.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.0%±1.1 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.8%±2.8 pts | 31.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.4%±1.5 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 7.3%±3.6 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 Meade County earn?
Half of Meade County's 11,968 households earn less than $74,790 a year (±$7,020), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 it was $74,553 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Meade County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,790±$7,020 | $75,081 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $94,155±$5,308 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,550±$2,048 | $40,550 | +$3,095 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.1%±1.7 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.6%±3.1 pts | 14.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.9%±1.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.4%±1.7 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 Meade County?
Owners occupy 72.9% of Meade County's occupied homes and renters 27.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $310,900 by its owner (±$18,105). The median renter pays $1,264 a month including utilities, and 22.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Meade County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $310,900±$18,105 | $257,400 | +$76,453 |
| Median gross rent | $1,264±$122 | $946 | +$185 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 22.1%±7.1 pts | 30.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,795±$81 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.9%±3.7 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,871±292 | 408,584 | +806 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.0%±2.1 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.0%±3.7 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.3%±2.2 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.8%±1.9 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 Meade County building?
Builders took permits for 135 new housing units across Meade County in 2025 (135 single-family), 4.4 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 Meade County get to work?
76.6% of Meade County's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Meade County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.1%±1.7 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±1.8 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.6%±8.0 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.5%±2.2 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0%±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 5.2%±7.0 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1%±1.9 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.8 min±1.3 | 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 Meade County's census tracts?
Meade County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,632 (Tract 204.02) to $103,194 (Tract 203.02).
| Tract 20246093020200 | 2,203±790 | $66,836 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 203.0246093020302 | 6,370±486 | $103,194 |
| Tract 203.0346093020303 | 7,189±623 | $82,542 |
| Tract 203.0446093020304 | 1,588±301 | $77,566 |
| Tract 204.0146093020401 | 3,190±404 | $63,904 |
| Tract 204.0246093020402 | 3,988±393 | $53,632 |
| Tract 20546093020500 | 6,018±598 | $75,747 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Meade County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 6th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 19th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 23rd of 66 |
| Median household income | 22nd of 66 |
| Median home value | 4th of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 1st of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 54th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25th of 66 |
| Median age | 50th 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 Meade 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.