Sanborn County, South Dakota Demographics 2026
Sanborn County, South Dakota has a population of 2,384, the 53rd most populous county in South Dakota. The median household income is $78,750 and the median home value is $135,600. The poverty rate is 8.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sanborn County Quick Facts
How Sanborn 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 | 2,370 | 2,384 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $69,870 | $78,750 | +12.7% |
| Median home value | $138,500 | $135,600 | -2.1% |
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 Sanborn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woonsocket | 759 | $56,765 | 7.0% | $80,800 |
| Letcher | 171 | $81,042 | 24.0% | $102,100 |
| Artesian | 148 | $61,806 | 8.1% | $87,500 |
| Forestburg | 113 | $125,083 | 10.6% | N/A |
| Upland Colony | 30 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Population Overview
Sanborn County is located in South Dakota with a total population of 2,384. It is the 53rd most populous county out of 66 in South Dakota. The county encompasses 5 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sanborn County is 40.1 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sanborn County is $78,750. This is 5% higher than the state median of $75,081. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 81% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $135,600. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Sanborn County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 68.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sanborn County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Sanborn 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 Sanborn County, South Dakota?
Sanborn County has a population of 2,384, making it the 53rd most populous county in South Dakota.
What is the median income in Sanborn County?
The median household income in Sanborn County is $78,750 with a poverty rate of 8.5%.
How many cities are in Sanborn County, South Dakota?
Sanborn County contains 5 Census-designated places.