Turner County, South Dakota Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Turner County is located in South Dakota with a total population of 8,772. It is the 21st most populous county out of 66 in South Dakota. The county encompasses 9 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Turner County is 41.3 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 37.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Turner County is $75,283. This is 4% higher than the state median of $72,421. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% lower. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $199,000. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $236,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Turner County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 68.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Turner County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.3%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.2%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.4%.

Education

26.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 91.7%.