Custer County, SD

County

Add Comparison
    2024 Population
    8,892
    US Senator
    John Thune
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Mike Rounds
    Republican Party
    US Representative
    Dusty Johnson
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    57.6
    0.699% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    8.97%
    36% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $84,112
    2.63% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $372,100
    13.7% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    4,202
    4.42% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Custer County, SD reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    In 2024, the median property value in Custer County, SD was $372,100, and the homeownership rate was 85.6%.

    Photo by Jack Flanagan
    United StatesSouth DakotaRapid City, SD

    Population & Diversity

    In 2024, there were 21.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (7.8k people) in Custer County, SD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 362 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 177 American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Custer County, SD
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      7.8k ± 144
    2. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
      362 ± 97
    3. American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
      177 ± 93
    3.08%
    Hispanic Population
    274 people

    In 2024, there were 21.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (7.8k people) in Custer County, SD than any other race or ethnicity. There were 362 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 177 American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    3.08% of the people in Custer County, SD are hispanic (274 people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Custer County, SD as a share of the total population.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Dakota.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      3,429 ± 1,435 people
    2. Guatemala
      2,883 ± 1,316 people
    3. Ethiopia
      2,826 ± 1,303 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Dakota was Mexico, the natal country of 3,429 South Dakota residents, followed by Guatemala with 2,883 and Ethiopia with 2,826.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Foreign-Born Population

    2.65%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    236 people
    2.07%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    180 people

    As of 2024, 2.65% of Custer County, SD residents (236 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Custer County, SD was 2.07%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Custer County, SD compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      473 ± 173
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      267 ± 123
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      121 ± 66

    Custer County, SD has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.77 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Custer County, SD.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health

    N/A% of the population of Custer County, SD has health coverage, with N/A% on employee plans, N/A% on Medicaid, N/A% on Medicare, N/A% on non-group plans, and N/A% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Custer County, SD see 2,152 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,152 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4503 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1823 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    2,152 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Custer County, SD

    Primary care physicians in Custer County, SD see an average of 2,152 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,152 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Custer County, SD in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Location of Health Services Facilities

    Health Service Type
    Top 5 Health Facilities Servicing the Greatest Number of Households
    1. Health Practice Name

      12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4001

    2. Health Practice Name

      12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4002

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 13.8% under 18 years, 11.2% between 18 and 34 years, 41.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 33.1% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 4.31 in Custer County, SD.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Custer County, SD.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 37.5% in Custer County, SD.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Custer County, SD.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 13% in Custer County, SD.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Custer County, SD.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Economy

    The economy of Custer County, SD employs 4.2k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Custer County, SD were Health Care & Social Assistance (699 people), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (410 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (355 people), and the highest paying industries were Transportation & Warehousing ($90,057), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($85,333), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($80,439).

    Employment

    Occupations

    4.2k
    2024 Value
    ± 449
    4.42%
    1 Year growth
    ± 14.4%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Custer County, SD grew at a rate of 4.42%, from 4.02k employees to 4.2k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Custer County, SD, are Sales & Related Occupations (565 people), Management Occupations (473 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (344 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Custer County, SD.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Dakota (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    4.2k
    2024 Value
    ± 449
    4.42%
    1 Year growth
    ± 14.4%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Custer County, SD grew at a rate of 4.42%, from 4.02k employees to 4.2k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Custer County, SD, are Health Care & Social Assistance (699 people), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (410 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (355 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Custer County, SD, though some of these residents may live in Custer County, SD and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Median Earnings by Industry

    $65,580
    Median earning men ± $18,079
    $45,846
    Median earning women ± $6,296

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($92,619), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($90,625), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($83,885).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($76,579), Manufacturing ($68,750), and Construction ($60,500).

    View Data
    Save Image

    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.
    Y-Axis
    2.37%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 450k people employed in South Dakota. This represents a 2.37% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 8.96%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Dakota.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 47
      Accommodation and Food Services
    2. 42
      Construction
    3. 21
      Other Services (except Public Administration)

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $15.1k
      Accommodation and Food Services
    2. $13.6k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    3. $7.53k
      Retail Trade

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in South Dakota went to Donald J. Trump with 63.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.2%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.68%).

    John Thune and Mike Rounds are the senators currently representing the state of South Dakota. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Custer County, SD is currently represented by Dusty Johnson in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Custer County, SD. Showing the available data for South Dakota.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (63.4%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (34.2%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.68%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in South Dakota went to Donald J. Trump with 63.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.2%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.68%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Dakota for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Senator Elections

    US Senators from South Dakota

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Dakota.
    John Thune
    Senator from South Dakota3
    Assumed office on January 3, 2005
    Mike Rounds
    Senator from South Dakota2
    Assumed office on January 3, 2015

    John Thune and Mike Rounds are the senators currently representing South Dakota.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in South Dakota over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

    View Data
    Save Image

    US Representative Elections

    US Representatives from Custer County, SD

    Dusty Johnson
    District at-large Representative
    Republican Party

    Custer County, SD is currently represented by Dusty Johnson (Republican Party).

    Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the member for Custer County, SD have changed over time starting in 2008.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Custer County, SD was $372,100 in 2024, which is 1.12 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $327,200 to $372,100, a 13.7% increase. The homeownership rate in Custer County, SD is 85.6%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    In 2025, 14.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Custer County, SD. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 5.32%.

    Housing

    Property

    $372,100
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$47,295
    N/A
    Median Property Taxes
    ±N/A

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Custer County, SD the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Custer County, SD compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image
    View Data
    Save Image

    Rent vs Own

    85.6%
    Homeownership
    2024
    66.5%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 85.6% of the housing units in Custer County, SD were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 85.6%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Custer County, SD compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $84,112
    Median Household Income
    ± $3,932
    N/A
    Number of Households
    ± N/A

    In 2024, the median household income of the N/A households in Custer County, SD grew to $84,112 from the previous year's value of $81,958.

    The following chart displays the households in Custer County, SD distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Custer County, SD is from South Dakota.
    0.44
    2024 Wage GINI in South Dakota
    0.443
    2023 Wage GINI in South Dakota

    In 2024, the income inequality in South Dakota was 0.44 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.642% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for South Dakota was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Dakota in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in South Dakota across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (74%)
    2. Worked At Home (12%)
    3. Carpooled (9.17%)

    In 2024, 74% of workers in Custer County, SD drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (12%) and those who carpooled to work (9.17%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Custer County, SD distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Custer County, SD have 2 cars.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 14.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Custer County, SD. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 5.32%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Poverty & Diversity

    8.97% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Custer County, SD (786 out of 8.76k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 65 - 74, followed by Females 75+ and then Males 75+.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Custer County, SD is White, followed by Two Or More and Native American.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 13.3% of the children was living in poverty in Custer County, SD. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.4%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 47.1 in Custer County, SD. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 22.5% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

    View Data
    Save Image