Bennett County, SD

County

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2024 Population

3,345

US Senator

John Thune

Republican Party

US Senator

Mike Rounds

Republican Party

US Representative

Dusty Johnson

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

27.4

4.86% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

29.9%

6.27% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$53,750

20.6% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$156,400

12.8% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

1,062

0.655% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Bennett County, SD reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99% of the residents in Bennett County, SD are U.S. citizens.

In 2024, the median property value in Bennett County, SD was $156,400, and the homeownership rate was 61.2%.

Most people in Bennett County, SD drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 12 minutes. The average car ownership in Bennett County, SD was 2 cars per household.

Bennett County, SD borders Cherry County, NE, Jackson County, SD, Mellette County, SD, Oglala Lakota County, SD, and Todd County, SD.

United States South Dakota

Population & Diversity

Bennett County, SD is home to a population of 3.35k people, from which 99% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.64% of Bennett County, SD residents were born outside of the country (55 people).

In 2024, there were 1.63 times more American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.87k people) in Bennett County, SD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.15k White (Non-Hispanic) and 98 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99%

2024 Citizenship

98.8%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99% of Bennett County, SD residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Bennett County, SD was 98.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Bennett County, SD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Bennett County, SD

American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
1.87k ± 176
White (Non-Hispanic)
1.15k ± 150
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
98 ± 69

5.05%

Hispanic Population

169 people

5.05% of the people in Bennett County, SD are hispanic (169 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Bennett County, SD as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Dakota.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,429 ± 1,435 people
Guatemala
2,883 ± 1,316 people
Ethiopia
2,826 ± 1,303 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Dakota was Mexico, the natal country of 3,429 South Dakota residents, followed by Guatemala with 2,883 and Ethiopia with 2,826.

Foreign-Born Population

1.64%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

55 people

1.37%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

46 people

As of 2024, 1.64% of Bennett County, SD residents (55 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Bennett County, SD was 1.37%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Bennett County, SD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
63 ± 37
Gulf War (2001-)
37 ± 40
Gulf War (1990s)
17 ± 23

Bennett County, SD has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.7 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Bennett County, SD.

Health

72.3% of the population of Bennett County, SD has health coverage, with 18.6% on employee plans, 32.8% on Medicaid, 10.6% on Medicare, 8.27% on non-group plans, and 2.03% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Bennett County, SD see 3,423 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.204% decrease from the previous year (3,430 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3460 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 3460 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

3,423 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Bennett County, SD

Primary care physicians in Bennett County, SD see an average of 3,423 patients per year. This represents a 0.204% decrease from the previous year (3,430 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Bennett County, SD in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 37.6% under 18 years, 19.6% between 18 and 34 years, 28.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

27.7%

Uninsured

18.6%

Employer Coverage

32.8%

Medicaid

10.6%

Medicare

8.27%

Non-Group

2.03%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Bennett County, SD declined by 4.93% from 29.1% to 27.7%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Bennett County, SD changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.49 in Bennett County, SD.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Bennett County, SD.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 43% in Bennett County, SD.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Bennett County, SD.

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 14.2% in Bennett County, SD.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Bennett County, SD.

Economy

The economy of Bennett County, SD employs 1.06k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Bennett County, SD were Educational Services (196 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (171 people), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (170 people), and the highest paying industries were Public Administration ($70,625), Finance & Insurance ($67,750), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($66,000).

Employment

Occupations

1.06k

2024 Value

± 176

−0.655%

1 Year decline

± 23.7%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Bennett County, SD declined at a rate of −0.655%, from 1.07k employees to 1.06k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Bennett County, SD, are Management Occupations (203 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (113 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (107 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Bennett County, SD.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Dakota (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

1.06k

2024 Value

± 176

−0.655%

1 Year decline

± 23.7%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Bennett County, SD declined at a rate of −0.655%, from 1.07k employees to 1.06k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Bennett County, SD, are Educational Services (196 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (171 people), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (170 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Bennett County, SD, though some of these residents may live in Bennett County, SD and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$34,608

Median earning men ± $3,205

$42,598

Median earning women ± $8,548

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($66,000), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($55,833), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($47,000).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($75,000), Public Administration ($67,344), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($42,599).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

Y-Axis

2.37%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 450k people employed in South Dakota. This represents a 2.37% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 8.96%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Dakota.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

6
Other Services (except Public Administration)
5
Health Care and Social Assistance
5
Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$5.93k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$3.53k
Construction
$2.72k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in South Dakota went to Donald J. Trump with 63.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.2%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.68%).

John Thune and Mike Rounds are the senators currently representing the state of South Dakota. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Bennett County, SD is currently represented by Dusty Johnson in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Bennett County, SD. Showing the available data for South Dakota.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (63.4%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (34.2%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (1.68%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in South Dakota went to Donald J. Trump with 63.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.2%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.68%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Dakota for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from South Dakota

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

John Thune

Senator from South Dakota

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Mike Rounds

Senator from South Dakota

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

John Thune and Mike Rounds are the senators currently representing South Dakota.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in South Dakota over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Bennett County, SD

Dusty Johnson

District at-large Representative

Republican Party

Bennett County, SD is currently represented by Dusty Johnson (Republican Party).

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the member for Bennett County, SD have changed over time starting in 2008.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Bennett County, SD was $156,400 in 2024, which is 0.47 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $138,600 to $156,400, a 12.8% increase. The homeownership rate in Bennett County, SD is 61.2%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Bennett County, SD have an average commute time of 12 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Bennett County, SD is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 13.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Bennett County, SD. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6.76%.

Housing

Property

$156,400

Median Property Value 2024

±$22,228

$563

Median Property Taxes

±$115

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Bennett County, SD the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Bennett County, SD compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.2%

Homeownership

2024

59.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 61.2% of the housing units in Bennett County, SD were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 57.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Bennett County, SD compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$53,750

Median Household Income

± $17,540

920

Number of Households

± 150

In 2024, the median household income of the 920 households in Bennett County, SD grew to $53,750 from the previous year's value of $44,569.

The following chart displays the households in Bennett County, SD distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Bennett County, SD is from South Dakota.

0.44

2024 Wage GINI in South Dakota

0.443

2023 Wage GINI in South Dakota

In 2024, the income inequality in South Dakota was 0.44 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.642% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for South Dakota was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Dakota in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Dakota across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (81%)
Worked At Home (8.02%)
Carpooled (6.01%)

In 2024, 81% of workers in Bennett County, SD drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.02%) and those who carpooled to work (6.01%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

12 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Bennett County, SD have a shorter commute time (12 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0% of the workforce in Bennett County, SD have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Bennett County, SD compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Bennett County, SD distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Bennett County, SD have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 13.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Bennett County, SD. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6.76%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

29.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Bennett County, SD (989 out of 3.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Males 12 - 14.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Bennett County, SD is Native American, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 35.6% of the children was living in poverty in Bennett County, SD. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 8.8%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 451 in Bennett County, SD. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 267% per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.