Beadle County, South Dakota Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Beadle County is located in South Dakota with a total population of 19,279. It is the 11th most populous county out of 66 in South Dakota. The county encompasses 7 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Beadle County is 36.9 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Beadle County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Beadle County is $63,082. This is 13% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $178,400. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Beadle County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 68.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Beadle County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.4%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.4% vs 4.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.9% vs 1.4%).

Education

26.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.1%.