County · South Dakota
Mellette County, South Dakota
Mellette County, South Dakota. Mellette County had 2,137 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 11.4% since 2020, faster than South Dakota (+5.5%). It holds 18 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs, 13 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 1 census tract. GEOID 46095.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,137
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,918 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,943 ±210
Median household income
$54,076
±$8,231 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $75,081
Median home value
$84,100
±$31,762 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $257,400
Median gross rent
$708
±$163 (90% margin)
South Dakota: $946
How many people live in Mellette County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 1,918 residents in Mellette County. The Census Bureau estimates 2,137 for July 1, 2025, up 11.4% since 2020, faster than South Dakota (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 1,943 over 1,307 square miles of land.
| Measure | Mellette County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,943±210 | 907,428 | no clear change |
| Households | 641±62 | 365,544 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.96±0.33 | 2.39 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 779±53 | 408,584 | no clear change |
Mellette County's population since 2000
From 2,083 in 2000 to 2,137 in 2025: up 2.6%. 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 Mellette County?
Mellette County holds 18 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 13 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is White River with 588 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| White River | 533 | $82,692 |
|---|---|---|
| Horse CreekGEOID 4630056 | 187 | not published |
| Norris TownshipGEOID 4609545460 | 183 | not published |
| NorrisGEOID 4645420 | 150 | not published |
| Corn CreekGEOID 4613840 | 113 | $2,500 or less |
| Blackpipe TownshipGEOID 4609505820 | 55 | $30,787 |
| WoodGEOID 4672620 | 41 | $43,077 |
| Mosher TownshipGEOID 4609543980 | 41 | not published |
| Rosebud TownshipGEOID 4609555900 | 37 | not published |
| Fairview Township, Mellette CountyGEOID 4609520860 | 32 | not published |
| Bad Nation TownshipGEOID 4609503140 | 31 | not published |
| Running Bird TownshipGEOID 4609556780 | 29 | not published |
| Red Fish TownshipGEOID 4609553540 | 27 | not published |
| Cody TownshipGEOID 4609513100 | 24 | $45,500 |
| Surprise Valley TownshipGEOID 4609562460 | 10 | not published |
| New Surprise Valley TownshipGEOID 4609545040 | 5 | not published |
| Rocky Ford TownshipGEOID 4609555660 | 3 | not published |
| Butte TownshipGEOID 4609509060 | 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 Mellette County?
The median resident of Mellette County is 37.5 years old; 28.7% are under 18 and 16.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 56.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 34.7%.
| Measure | Mellette County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.5±2.8 | 38.0 | +4.6 |
| Under 18 years | 28.7%±4.6 pts | 24.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.4%±2.3 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9%±1.1 pts | 4.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 34.7%±5.1 pts | 79.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 56.0%±6.6 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.5%±5.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.1%±8.0 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.6%±3.5 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.9%±3.5 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 25.0%±4.9 pts | 9.0% | −9.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.5%±6.8 pts | 93.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.1%±4.8 pts | 31.9% | +7.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.4%±2.4 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0%±1.3 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 Mellette County earn?
Half of Mellette County's 641 households earn less than $54,076 a year (±$8,231), against $75,081 in South Dakota. In 2015-2019 the median was $37,721 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $16,355 after inflation. 41.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mellette County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,076±$8,231 | $75,081 | +$16,355 |
| Mean household income | $74,230±$13,653 | $98,527 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,614±$5,232 | $40,550 | +$8,650 |
| People below the poverty line | 41.7%±8.7 pts | 11.9% | −11.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 67.9%±13.9 pts | 14.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 24.8%±7.4 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 74.4%±8.9 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 Mellette County?
Owners occupy 60.4% of Mellette County's occupied homes and renters 39.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $84,100 by its owner (±$31,762). The median renter pays $708 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Mellette County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $84,100±$31,762 | $257,400 | – |
| Median gross rent | $708±$163 | $946 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 13.7%±11.0 pts | 30.4% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,023±$213 | $1,680 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.4%±9.0 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 779±53 | 408,584 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8%±1.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.2%±1.9 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.2%±6.8 pts | 66.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 21.4%±6.6 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±3.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.6%±5.8 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 Mellette County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Mellette County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.9 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 Mellette County get to work?
64.0% of Mellette County's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 16.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 12.5%.
| Measure | Mellette County | South Dakota | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.7%±8.6 pts | 67.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 12.5%±5.7 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 64.0%±12.1 pts | 77.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 18.3%±8.9 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±3.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±1.4 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.9%±9.9 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.7 min±3.2 | 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 Mellette County's census tracts?
Mellette County is a single census tract.
| Tract 940346095940300 | 1,943±210 | $54,076 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Mellette County compare with South Dakota's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 58th of 66 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 5th of 66 |
| Residents per square mile | 59th of 66 |
| Median household income | 59th of 66 |
| Median home value | 62nd of 66 |
| Median gross rent | 44th of 65 |
| Poverty rate | 5th of 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55th of 66 |
| Median age | 49th 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 Mellette 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.