Potter County, South Dakota Demographics 2026
Potter County, South Dakota has a population of 2,388, the 52nd most populous county in South Dakota. The median household income is $72,045 and the median home value is $121,300. The poverty rate is 6.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Potter County Quick Facts
How Potter 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 | 2,430 | 2,388 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $71,726 | $72,045 | +0.4% |
| Median home value | $121,300 | $121,300 | +0.0% |
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 Potter County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gettysburg | 1,260 | $63,929 | 4.8% | $125,000 |
| Hoven | 329 | $60,625 | 6.9% | $88,300 |
| Lebanon | 76 | $63,125 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Tolstoy | 57 | $76,071 | 0.0% | N/A |
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Population Overview
Potter County is located in South Dakota with a total population of 2,388. It is the 52nd most populous county out of 66 in South Dakota. The county encompasses 4 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Potter County is 49.9 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 14.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Potter County is $72,045. This is 4% lower than the state median of $75,081. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.2%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $121,300. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Potter County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Potter County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.6%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.
Education
27.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Potter 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 Potter County, South Dakota?
Potter County has a population of 2,388, making it the 52nd most populous county in South Dakota.
What is the median income in Potter County?
The median household income in Potter County is $72,045 with a poverty rate of 6.2%.
How many cities are in Potter County, South Dakota?
Potter County contains 4 Census-designated places.