Perkins County, South Dakota Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 46th-largest in South Dakota
The population of Perkins County, South Dakota is 3,058 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 46th-largest county in South Dakota. The median household income is $65,455, the median home value is $105,900, and the median age is 43.6.
The population of Perkins County has declined 5.2% since 2010 (2,988 → 2,832), a -0.38% annualized rate.
3,058
Population
-0.38%
Annual growth
1
People / sq mi
$65,455
Median Income
$105,900
Median Home Value
Perkins County covers 2,870 sq mi of land at 1.1 people per square mile.
About Perkins County, SD
What sets Perkins County apart is where people work — remote work is unusually prominent here, at 27.9% versus 14.0% nationally. With 3,058 residents, Perkins County is a county in South Dakota. It ranks #46 among counties in South Dakota by population.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $65,455 — below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 8.7%, below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $105,900, with typical rent around $703.
Degree attainment is mid-range for US counties: 21.8% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. An unusually large 27.9% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 16 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Perkins County — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Perkins County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Perkins County had a population of 2,988 in 2010 and 2,832 in 2024, a -5.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 3,031 in 2012. Average annual growth rate: -0.38%.
2,832
Population (2024)
2,988
Population (2010)
3,031
Peak (2012)
-0.38%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2,988 |
| 2011 | 3,017 |
| 2012 | 3,031 |
| 2013 | 3,024 |
| 2014 | 3,022 |
| 2015 | 2,983 |
| 2016 | 2,958 |
| 2017 | 2,962 |
| 2018 | 2,899 |
| 2019 | 2,833 |
| 2020 | 2,849 |
| 2021 | 2,833 |
| 2022 | 2,807 |
| 2023 | 2,823 |
| 2024 | 2,832 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 94.7% |
| Black or African American | 0.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
43.6
Median Age
49.8%
Female
50.2%
Male
26.2%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 20.0% · Seniors (65+): 26.2%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $65,455$-6,966 vs state |
| Mean household income | $98,722 |
| Per-capita income | $41,539 |
| Poverty rate | 8.7%+1.3% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3% |
| Employment-to-population | 64.5% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Perkins County is agriculture, accounting for 31.6% of workers.
How residents commute
0.1%
Drive alone
3.0%
Carpool
62.3%
Public transit
27.9%
Work from home
15.9 min
Avg commute
Housing
$105,900$-130,900 vs state
Median home value
$703
Median rent
78.9%
Homeownership rate
1,729
Total housing units
72.5%
Occupied
27.5%
Vacant
21.1%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
91.7%
With health insurance
92.6%
With broadband internet
54.0%
Foreign-born
10.2%
Veterans (18+)
13.8%
With a disability
98.9%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
92.8%
High School+
21.8%
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
Perkins County, South Dakota has a population of 3,058 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 46th-largest county in South Dakota. Population density is 1 people per square mile.
The population of Perkins County has declined 5.2% since 2010 (2,988 → 2,832), a -0.38% annualized rate.
The median household income in Perkins County, South Dakota is $65,455, with mean (average) household income of $98,722 and per-capita income of $41,539. 8.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Perkins County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (94.7%), Hispanic or Latino (4.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Perkins County, South Dakota is 43.6 years. Residents are 49.8% female and 50.2% male.
The median home value in Perkins County is $105,900 and median monthly rent is $703. 78.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 1,729 total housing units, 27.5% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Perkins County, South Dakota is agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining, employing 31.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.3%.
Sioux Falls is among the largest cities associated with Perkins 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.