Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 15th-largest in South Dakota

The population of Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota is 13,587 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 15th-largest county in South Dakota. The median household income is $34,769, the median home value is $45,600, and the median age is 27.0.

The population of Oglala Lakota County has declined 2.0% since 2010 (13,636 → 13,360), a -0.15% annualized rate.

Oglala Lakota County within South Dakota · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

13,587

Population

-0.15%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$34,769

Median Income

$45,600

Median Home Value

Oglala Lakota County covers 2,094 sq mi of land at 6.5 people per square mile.

About Oglala Lakota County, SD

Housing cost is the defining feature of Oglala Lakota County: the median home is valued at $45,600. With 13,587 residents, Oglala Lakota County is a county in South Dakota. It ranks #15 among counties in South Dakota by population.

Money is tight relative to the rest of US counties: the median household earns just $34,769, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 48.8%, is among the steepest of comparable US counties and above the national 12.4%. Housing costs are among the lowest of comparable places: a median home value of $45,600, with typical rent around $563.

College credentials are comparatively rare here: just 9.8%, below the national 35.0%. Almost everyone commutes — only 2.3% work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 15 minutes each way.

Oglala Lakota County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Oglala Lakota County had a population of 13,636 in 2010 and 13,360 in 2024, a -2.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 14,426 in 2016. Average annual growth rate: -0.14%.

Oglala Lakota County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

13,360

Population (2024)

13,636

Population (2010)

14,426

Peak (2016)

-0.14%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	13,636	-	-	estimate
2011	13,897	+261	+1.91%	estimate
2012	14,041	+144	+1.04%	estimate
2013	14,130	+89	+0.63%	estimate
2014	14,217	+87	+0.62%	estimate
2015	14,364	+147	+1.03%	estimate
2016	14,426	+62	+0.43%	estimate
2017	14,392	-34	-0.24%	estimate
2018	14,324	-68	-0.47%	estimate
2019	14,171	-153	-1.07%	estimate
2020	13,648	-523	-3.69%	estimate
2021	13,559	-89	-0.65%	estimate
2022	13,482	-77	-0.57%	estimate
2023	13,407	-75	-0.56%	estimate
2024	13,360	-47	-0.35%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	6.6%
Black or African American	0.1%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	92.3%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

27.0

Median Age

51.3%

Female

48.7%

Male

7.0%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

9.2%

5–9

9.8%

10–14

11.2%

15–19

9.1%

20–24

8.8%

25–34

14.7%

35–44

10.9%

45–54

10.3%

55–59

4.4%

60–64

4.4%

65–74

4.7%

75–84

1.6%

85+

0.7%

Children (under 15): 30.2% · Seniors (65+): 7.0%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$34,769$-37,652 vs state
Mean household income	$50,403
Per-capita income	$11,650
Poverty rate	48.8%+41.4% vs state
Unemployment rate	5.0%
Employment-to-population	33.3%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

38.9%

Public administration

15.4%

Finance & real estate

9.5%

Education & health care

8.8%

Construction

8.3%

Agriculture

4.5%

Arts, entertainment & food

2.1%

Manufacturing

1.4%

The largest employment sector in Oglala Lakota County is professional & business services, accounting for 38.9% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

5.3%

Carpool

66.6%

Public transit

2.3%

Work from home

14.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$45,600$-191,200 vs state

Median home value

$563

Median rent

53.5%

Homeownership rate

3,461

Total housing units

78.9%

Occupied

21.1%

Vacant

46.5%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

56.5%

With health insurance

75.1%

With broadband internet

10.8%

Foreign-born

3.7%

Veterans (18+)

9.9%

With a disability

86.2%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

78.0%

High School+

9.8%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in South Dakota

Sioux Falls (197,642)Rapid City (76,836)Aberdeen (28,297)Brookings (23,710)Watertown (22,859)Mitchell (15,637)Yankton (15,501)Huron (14,347)Pierre (14,008)Spearfish (12,551)All South Dakota cities →

Other counties in South Dakota

Minnehaha County (200,689)Pennington County (112,081)Lincoln County (68,286)Brown County (38,079)Brookings County (34,968)Meade County (30,297)Codington County (28,556)Lawrence County (26,574)Yankton County (23,379)Davison County (19,936)All South Dakota counties →

Part of South Dakota

South Dakota demographic profile All South Dakota data →

Metro areas in South Dakota

Sioux Falls (293,107)Rapid City (151,064)Sioux City (144,007)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota has a population of 13,587 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 15th-largest county in South Dakota. Population density is 6 people per square mile.

The population of Oglala Lakota County has declined 2.0% since 2010 (13,636 → 13,360), a -0.15% annualized rate.

The median household income in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota is $34,769, with mean (average) household income of $50,403 and per-capita income of $11,650. 48.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Oglala Lakota County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are Hispanic or Latino (92.3%), White (6.6%), Black or African American (0.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota is 27.0 years. Residents are 51.3% female and 48.7% male.

The median home value in Oglala Lakota County is $45,600 and median monthly rent is $563. 53.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 3,461 total housing units, 21.1% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 38.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Sioux Falls is among the largest cities associated with Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, with a population of 197,642.