Hand County, South Dakota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 47th-largest in South Dakota
The population of Hand County, South Dakota is 3,045 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 47th-largest county in South Dakota. The median household income is $72,054, the median home value is $152,100, and the median age is 43.8.
The population of Hand County has declined 9.8% since 2010 (3,434 → 3,097), a -0.74% annualized rate.
3,045
Population
-0.74%
Annual growth
2
People / sq mi
$72,054
Median Income
$152,100
Median Home Value
Hand County covers 1,437 sq mi of land at 2.1 people per square mile.
About Hand County, SD
Hand County is a county in South Dakota with a population of 3,045. It ranks #47 among counties in South Dakota by population. The median age is 43.8, older than the national median. The population is 51.3% male and 48.7% female.
The median household income in Hand County is $72,054, near the US median of $74,580. 3.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $152,100, with monthly rent averaging $553. The homeownership rate of 64.2% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Hand County reflects 26.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 10.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 13.2 minutes each way.
Hand County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Hand County had a population of 3,434 in 2010 and 3,097 in 2024, a -9.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 3,435 in 2011. Average annual growth rate: -0.73%.
3,097
Population (2024)
3,434
Population (2010)
3,435
Peak (2011)
-0.73%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3,434 |
| 2011 | 3,435 |
| 2012 | 3,377 |
| 2013 | 3,375 |
| 2014 | 3,340 |
| 2015 | 3,305 |
| 2016 | 3,275 |
| 2017 | 3,273 |
| 2018 | 3,234 |
| 2019 | 3,170 |
| 2020 | 3,147 |
| 2021 | 3,087 |
| 2022 | 3,123 |
| 2023 | 3,114 |
| 2024 | 3,097 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 93.7% |
| Black or African American | 0.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
43.8
Median Age
48.7%
Female
51.3%
Male
24.7%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 20.1% · Seniors (65+): 24.7%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $72,054$-367 vs state |
| Mean household income | $95,268 |
| Per-capita income | $43,377 |
| Poverty rate | 3.4%-4.0% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 0.8% |
| Employment-to-population | 68.2% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Hand County is agriculture, accounting for 30.4% of workers.
How residents commute
0.2%
Drive alone
9.6%
Carpool
73.6%
Public transit
10.6%
Work from home
13.2 min
Avg commute
Housing
$152,100$-84,700 vs state
Median home value
$553
Median rent
64.2%
Homeownership rate
1,698
Total housing units
80.9%
Occupied
19.1%
Vacant
35.8%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
95.9%
With health insurance
92.1%
With broadband internet
16.8%
Foreign-born
4.6%
Veterans (18+)
13.0%
With a disability
96.2%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
95.4%
High School+
26.2%
Bachelor's+
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Other counties in South Dakota
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Hand County, South Dakota has a population of 3,045 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 47th-largest county in South Dakota. Population density is 2 people per square mile.
The population of Hand County has declined 9.8% since 2010 (3,434 → 3,097), a -0.74% annualized rate.
The median household income in Hand County, South Dakota is $72,054, with mean (average) household income of $95,268 and per-capita income of $43,377. 3.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Hand County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (93.7%), Hispanic or Latino (1.8%), Black or African American (0.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Hand County, South Dakota is 43.8 years. Residents are 48.7% female and 51.3% male.
The median home value in Hand County is $152,100 and median monthly rent is $553. 64.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 1,698 total housing units, 19.1% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Hand County, South Dakota is agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining, employing 30.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 0.8%.
Sioux Falls is among the largest cities associated with Hand County, South Dakota, with a population of 197,642.
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Statewide data for South Dakota
Population, race, income, age, and trends across South Dakota
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.