Jackson County, South Dakota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 49th-largest in South Dakota
The population of Jackson County, South Dakota is 2,826 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 49th-largest county in South Dakota. The median household income is $26,686, the median home value is $111,500, and the median age is 33.2.
The population of Jackson County has declined 10.2% since 2010 (3,049 → 2,737), a -0.77% annualized rate.
2,826
Population
-0.77%
Annual growth
2
People / sq mi
$26,686
Median Income
$111,500
Median Home Value
Jackson County covers 1,864 sq mi of land at 1.5 people per square mile.
About Jackson County, SD
The poverty rate is what most separates Jackson County from the typical county: 38.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Jackson County is a county in South Dakota with a population of 2,826. It ranks #49 among counties in South Dakota by population.
Household earnings sit near the bottom of the range at $26,686, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 38.9%, is among the steepest of comparable US counties and above the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $111,500, with typical rent around $460.
College credentials are comparatively rare here: just 11.4%, below the national 35.0%. Working from home is common here: 16.3% of workers do so, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 10 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Jackson County: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
Jackson County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Jackson County had a population of 3,049 in 2010 and 2,737 in 2024, a -10.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 3,335 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: -0.66%.
2,737
Population (2024)
3,049
Population (2010)
3,335
Peak (2019)
-0.66%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3,049 |
| 2011 | 3,158 |
| 2012 | 3,174 |
| 2013 | 3,236 |
| 2014 | 3,273 |
| 2015 | 3,281 |
| 2016 | 3,271 |
| 2017 | 3,277 |
| 2018 | 3,277 |
| 2019 | 3,335 |
| 2020 | 2,803 |
| 2021 | 2,867 |
| 2022 | 2,833 |
| 2023 | 2,772 |
| 2024 | 2,737 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 36.2% |
| Black or African American | 0.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 63.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
33.2
Median Age
53.1%
Female
46.9%
Male
12.5%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 27.3% · Seniors (65+): 12.5%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $26,686$-45,735 vs state |
| Mean household income | $49,471 |
| Per-capita income | $17,120 |
| Poverty rate | 38.9%+31.5% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9% |
| Employment-to-population | 42.6% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Jackson County is professional & business services, accounting for 30.6% of workers.
How residents commute
0.0%
Drive alone
3.0%
Carpool
76.3%
Public transit
16.3%
Work from home
10.2 min
Avg commute
Housing
$111,500$-125,300 vs state
Median home value
$460
Median rent
60.8%
Homeownership rate
1,018
Total housing units
72.7%
Occupied
27.3%
Vacant
39.2%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
70.8%
With health insurance
81.6%
With broadband internet
14.3%
Foreign-born
3.1%
Veterans (18+)
9.4%
With a disability
93.5%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
89.3%
High School+
11.4%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in South Dakota
Other counties in South Dakota
Part of South Dakota
Metro areas in South Dakota
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Jackson County, South Dakota has a population of 2,826 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 49th-largest county in South Dakota. Population density is 2 people per square mile.
The population of Jackson County has declined 10.2% since 2010 (3,049 → 2,737), a -0.77% annualized rate.
The median household income in Jackson County, South Dakota is $26,686, with mean (average) household income of $49,471 and per-capita income of $17,120. 38.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Jackson County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are Hispanic or Latino (63.1%), White (36.2%), Black or African American (0.2%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Jackson County, South Dakota is 33.2 years. Residents are 53.1% female and 46.9% male.
The median home value in Jackson County is $111,500 and median monthly rent is $460. 60.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 1,018 total housing units, 27.3% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Jackson County, South Dakota is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 30.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.9%.
Sioux Falls is among the largest cities associated with Jackson 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.