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Counties with the most seniors in South Dakota
Seniors will comprise more than 20% of U.S. residents in 2030, up from 15% in 2020. By 2034, older adults will outnumber children, according to Census Bureau projections.
Across the U.S., 52 million Americans are 65 years or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and a quarter of them live in just three states: California, Florida, and Texas. By comparison, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming, and Alaska each have fewer than 150,000 senior residents. The size of a state's senior population means a lot in terms of demand for resources like health care, affordable housing, assisted living, in-home and nursing care, and support services, and the quality and availability of those resources help determine where seniors migrate.
With baby boomers moving into old age, fewer babies being born, and longer life expectancies, the senior population of America is on a spectacular rise. The lengthening of the U.S. life expectancy has been particularly dramatic, rising to nearly 79 years from 68 years in 1950.
Stacker compiled a list of counties with the most seniors in South Dakota using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percentage of residents 65 years or older according to 2020 5-year estimates.
Keep reading to find out which counties have the most seniors in South Dakota.
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#50. Lyman County
- Population aged 65 or older: 16.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 28.7%
- Median age: 36.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 33.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 36.8 years old
- Total population: 3,831 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 28.7%
- Median age: 36.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 33.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 36.8 years old
- Total population: 3,831 people
#49. Hughes County
- Population aged 65 or older: 17%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.0%
- Median age: 38.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 38.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 38.6 years old
- Total population: 17,560 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.0%
- Median age: 38.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 38.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 38.6 years old
- Total population: 17,560 people
#48. Codington County
- Population aged 65 or older: 17.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.1%
- Median age: 39.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 38.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 40 years old
- Total population: 28,133 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.1%
- Median age: 39.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 38.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 40 years old
- Total population: 28,133 people
#47. Union County
- Population aged 65 or older: 17.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.3%
- Median age: 40.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 38.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.4 years old
- Total population: 15,659 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.3%
- Median age: 40.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 38.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.4 years old
- Total population: 15,659 people
#46. Brown County
- Population aged 65 or older: 17.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.8%
- Median age: 37.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 36.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 38.4 years old
- Total population: 38,988 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.8%
- Median age: 37.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 36.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 38.4 years old
- Total population: 38,988 people
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#45. Pennington County
- Population aged 65 or older: 18.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.1%
- Median age: 38.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 40.2 years old
- Total population: 112,504 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.1%
- Median age: 38.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 40.2 years old
- Total population: 112,504 people
#44. Aurora County
- Population aged 65 or older: 18.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 27.2%
- Median age: 38.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 38 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.2 years old
- Total population: 2,757 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 27.2%
- Median age: 38.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 38 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.2 years old
- Total population: 2,757 people
#43. Brule County
- Population aged 65 or older: 18.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 25.4%
- Median age: 39.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.3 years old
- Total population: 5,233 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 25.4%
- Median age: 39.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.3 years old
- Total population: 5,233 people
#42. Charles Mix County
- Population aged 65 or older: 18.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 29.6%
- Median age: 36.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 35.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 37.1 years old
- Total population: 9,324 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 29.6%
- Median age: 36.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 35.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 37.1 years old
- Total population: 9,324 people
#41. Beadle County
- Population aged 65 or older: 18.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 27.0%
- Median age: 38.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 38 years old
--- Median age of females: 39 years old
- Total population: 18,338 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 27.0%
- Median age: 38.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 38 years old
--- Median age of females: 39 years old
- Total population: 18,338 people
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#40. Edmunds County
- Population aged 65 or older: 18.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 25.4%
- Median age: 41.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 40 years old
- Total population: 3,876 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 25.4%
- Median age: 41.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 40 years old
- Total population: 3,876 people
#39. Davison County
- Population aged 65 or older: 18.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.1%
- Median age: 39.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 40.6 years old
- Total population: 19,890 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.1%
- Median age: 39.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 40.6 years old
- Total population: 19,890 people
#38. McCook County
- Population aged 65 or older: 18.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 27.6%
- Median age: 39.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 38.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 40.6 years old
- Total population: 5,543 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 27.6%
- Median age: 39.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 38.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 40.6 years old
- Total population: 5,543 people
#37. Harding County
- Population aged 65 or older: 18.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.6%
- Median age: 44.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 1,178 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.6%
- Median age: 44.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 1,178 people
#36. Yankton County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.2%
- Median age: 42 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.9 years old
- Total population: 22,746 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.2%
- Median age: 42 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.9 years old
- Total population: 22,746 people
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#35. Moody County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 25.4%
- Median age: 40.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.5 years old
- Total population: 6,508 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 25.4%
- Median age: 40.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.5 years old
- Total population: 6,508 people
#34. Jones County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 25.0%
- Median age: 44.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.3 years old
- Total population: 873 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 25.0%
- Median age: 44.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.3 years old
- Total population: 873 people
#33. Butte County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.7%
- Median age: 40.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 40 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.2 years old
- Total population: 10,295 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.7%
- Median age: 40.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 40 years old
--- Median age of females: 41.2 years old
- Total population: 10,295 people
#32. Sanborn County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.5%
- Median age: 40.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 38 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.8 years old
- Total population: 2,372 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.5%
- Median age: 40.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 38 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.8 years old
- Total population: 2,372 people
#31. Roberts County
- Population aged 65 or older: 19.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 26.9%
- Median age: 38.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 39.2 years old
- Total population: 10,310 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 26.9%
- Median age: 38.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 37.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 39.2 years old
- Total population: 10,310 people
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#30. Bon Homme County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.1%
- Median age: 41.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.4 years old
- Total population: 6,914 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.1%
- Median age: 41.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.4 years old
- Total population: 6,914 people
#29. Turner County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.4%
- Median age: 41.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.5 years old
- Total population: 8,325 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.4%
- Median age: 41.7 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.2 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.5 years old
- Total population: 8,325 people
#28. Miner County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.4%
- Median age: 44.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 43 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.1 years old
- Total population: 2,213 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.4%
- Median age: 44.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 43 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.1 years old
- Total population: 2,213 people
#27. Spink County
- Population aged 65 or older: 20.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.9%
- Median age: 44.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.4 years old
- Total population: 6,438 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.9%
- Median age: 44.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.4 years old
- Total population: 6,438 people
#26. Grant County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.0%
- Median age: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.7 years old
- Total population: 7,125 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.0%
- Median age: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.7 years old
- Total population: 7,125 people
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#25. Clark County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 26.9%
- Median age: 40.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.4 years old
- Total population: 3,715 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 26.9%
- Median age: 40.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 39.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.4 years old
- Total population: 3,715 people
#24. Deuel County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.6%
- Median age: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.9 years old
- Total population: 4,309 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.6%
- Median age: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.9 years old
- Total population: 4,309 people
#23. Lake County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.5%
- Median age: 43.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.8 years old
- Total population: 12,747 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.5%
- Median age: 43.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.8 years old
- Total population: 12,747 people
#22. Lawrence County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.6%
- Median age: 42.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.9 years old
- Total population: 25,806 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.6%
- Median age: 42.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.9 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.9 years old
- Total population: 25,806 people
#21. Marshall County
- Population aged 65 or older: 21.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.2%
- Median age: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.5 years old
- Total population: 4,881 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.2%
- Median age: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 43.5 years old
- Total population: 4,881 people
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#20. Tripp County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.3%
- Median age: 45.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.8 years old
- Total population: 5,448 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.3%
- Median age: 45.2 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 45.8 years old
- Total population: 5,448 people
#19. Haakon County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 28.8%
- Median age: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.6 years old
- Total population: 1,935 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 28.8%
- Median age: 43.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 40.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.6 years old
- Total population: 1,935 people
#18. Hutchinson County
- Population aged 65 or older: 22.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.9%
- Median age: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.9 years old
- Total population: 7,308 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.9%
- Median age: 42.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 44.9 years old
- Total population: 7,308 people
#17. Kingsbury County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.6%
- Median age: 44.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 46 years old
- Total population: 4,936 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.6%
- Median age: 44.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 43.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 46 years old
- Total population: 4,936 people
#16. Stanley County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.2%
- Median age: 47.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.3 years old
- Total population: 3,058 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.2%
- Median age: 47.3 years old
--- Median age of males: 47.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.3 years old
- Total population: 3,058 people
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#15. Walworth County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.3%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.9%
- Median age: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.8 years old
- Total population: 5,431 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.9%
- Median age: 42.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 42.8 years old
- Total population: 5,431 people
#14. Douglas County
- Population aged 65 or older: 23.5%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.3%
- Median age: 45.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.7 years old
- Total population: 2,913 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 24.3%
- Median age: 45.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 42.6 years old
--- Median age of females: 46.7 years old
- Total population: 2,913 people
#13. Perkins County
- Population aged 65 or older: 24.4%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.4%
- Median age: 45.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 47 years old
- Total population: 2,996 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.4%
- Median age: 45.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 47 years old
- Total population: 2,996 people
#12. Gregory County
- Population aged 65 or older: 24.7%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.8%
- Median age: 45.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 4,193 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 23.8%
- Median age: 45.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 41.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.4 years old
- Total population: 4,193 people
#11. Hyde County
- Population aged 65 or older: 24.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.3%
- Median age: 52.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 54.1 years old
- Total population: 1,446 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.3%
- Median age: 52.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 45.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 54.1 years old
- Total population: 1,446 people
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#10. Campbell County
- Population aged 65 or older: 25.2%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.7%
- Median age: 50.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 50.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 50.7 years old
- Total population: 1,458 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 20.7%
- Median age: 50.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 50.5 years old
--- Median age of females: 50.7 years old
- Total population: 1,458 people
#9. Hand County
- Population aged 65 or older: 25.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 47.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 46 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.3 years old
- Total population: 3,064 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 47.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 46 years old
--- Median age of females: 48.3 years old
- Total population: 3,064 people
#8. Day County
- Population aged 65 or older: 26%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.8%
- Median age: 48.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 50 years old
- Total population: 5,452 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.8%
- Median age: 48.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 46.1 years old
--- Median age of females: 50 years old
- Total population: 5,452 people
#7. Sully County
- Population aged 65 or older: 26.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.2%
- Median age: 48.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 48.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.4 years old
- Total population: 1,278 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 19.2%
- Median age: 48.6 years old
--- Median age of males: 48.8 years old
--- Median age of females: 47.4 years old
- Total population: 1,278 people
#6. Potter County
- Population aged 65 or older: 28%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.3%
- Median age: 48.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 43 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.8 years old
- Total population: 2,311 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 22.3%
- Median age: 48.8 years old
--- Median age of males: 43 years old
--- Median age of females: 49.8 years old
- Total population: 2,311 people
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#5. Faulk County
- Population aged 65 or older: 28.9%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.2%
- Median age: 49 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 51.6 years old
- Total population: 2,315 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.2%
- Median age: 49 years old
--- Median age of males: 44.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 51.6 years old
- Total population: 2,315 people
#4. Fall River County
- Population aged 65 or older: 29.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.3%
- Median age: 54.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 58.1 years old
- Total population: 6,721 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 17.3%
- Median age: 54.4 years old
--- Median age of males: 49.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 58.1 years old
- Total population: 6,721 people
#3. McPherson County
- Population aged 65 or older: 30.1%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.7%
- Median age: 50.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 50.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 50 years old
- Total population: 2,316 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.7%
- Median age: 50.1 years old
--- Median age of males: 50.4 years old
--- Median age of females: 50 years old
- Total population: 2,316 people
#2. Custer County
- Population aged 65 or older: 30.6%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 14.7%
- Median age: 55.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 54.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 57.1 years old
- Total population: 8,826 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 14.7%
- Median age: 55.9 years old
--- Median age of males: 54.7 years old
--- Median age of females: 57.1 years old
- Total population: 8,826 people
#1. Jerauld County
- Population aged 65 or older: 30.8%
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 51.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 48.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 55.8 years old
- Total population: 2,009 people
- Population aged 18 and younger: 21.3%
- Median age: 51.5 years old
--- Median age of males: 48.3 years old
--- Median age of females: 55.8 years old
- Total population: 2,009 people
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