Jackson County, South Dakota Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Jackson County is located in South Dakota with a total population of 2,826. It is the 49th most populous county out of 66 in South Dakota. The county encompasses 4 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jackson County is 33.2 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. With 33.9% of the population under 18, Jackson County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jackson County is $26,686. This is 63% lower than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 66% lower. The poverty rate stands at 37.5%. This is 212% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 181% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $111,500. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $236,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 60.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 68.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Jackson County is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (36.2%) is well below the state average of 80.3%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.

Education

11.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 63% 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 89.3%.