McCook County, South Dakota Demographics 2026
McCook County, South Dakota has a population of 5,751, the 30th most populous county in South Dakota. The median household income is $83,852 and the median home value is $230,100. The poverty rate is 6.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
McCook County Quick Facts
How McCook County Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,732 | 5,751 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $80,847 | $83,852 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $217,300 | $230,100 | +5.9% |
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in McCook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 1,216 | $74,881 | 5.6% | $166,700 |
| Canistota | 711 | $76,250 | 14.1% | $137,000 |
| Montrose | 483 | $78,125 | 7.4% | $239,700 |
| Bridgewater | 451 | $47,083 | 10.8% | $116,100 |
| Spencer | 103 | $67,188 | 2.9% | $155,600 |
| Golden View Colony | 60 | N/A | 70.0% | N/A |
| Orland Colony | 37 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Population Overview
McCook County is located in South Dakota with a total population of 5,751. It is the 30th most populous county out of 66 in South Dakota. The county encompasses 7 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in McCook County is 39.5 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, McCook County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McCook County is $83,852. This is 12% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.8%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $230,100. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, McCook County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
McCook County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
29.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for McCook County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against South Dakota and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of McCook County, South Dakota?
McCook County has a population of 5,751, making it the 30th most populous county in South Dakota.
What is the median income in McCook County?
The median household income in McCook County is $83,852 with a poverty rate of 6.8%.
How many cities are in McCook County, South Dakota?
McCook County contains 7 Census-designated places.