Population 5,437 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Day County
Household size in Day County
| Period | Day County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.18 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.16 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.09 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.26 | 2.48 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.09 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Day County are small: just 2.26 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.18, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Day County
| Period | Day County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.5 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.7 | 38.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.7 | 38.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.1 | 38.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.6 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 48.1, Day County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 46.5 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the center and oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Day County
| Period | Day County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.8% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.7% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Day County as they are nationally: 10.7%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 2.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Day County
Renters in Day County
| Period | Day County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.8% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.1% | 32.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.7% | 32.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.4% | 31.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | +0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a quarter of households in Day County rent their homes (25.4%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. More than half of owners (54.6%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the east. The renter share is down 5.4 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Day County
| Period | Day County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.2% | 11.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.5% | 10.7% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 26.8% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.2% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.0 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Day County: 25.2% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Of South Dakota's 66 counties, only six have a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Day County
| Period | Day County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1952 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1958 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1957 | 1977 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1963 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +9 | +6 |
Day County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1963, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1952 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the northwest has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Day County
| Period | Day County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $429 | $631 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $487 | $692 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $532 | $798 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $685 | $1,000 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$256 | +$369 | +$606 |
Rent in Day County runs $685 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $256 a month since 2006–10, up 60%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 21.4% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Day County
Bachelor's degrees in Day County
| Period | Day County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.9% | 26.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.3% | 27.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.6% | 29.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.0% | 32.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Day County: 22.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the north.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Day County
| Period | Day County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.9% | 89.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.3% | 91.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.3% | 91.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.4% | 93.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Day County is above the national rate: 93.4% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of South Dakota. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.5 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Day County
| Period | Day County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.4% | 4.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.9% | 4.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.6% | 3.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.2% | 3.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Day County has been low: just 2.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Day County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day County | 2.26 | 48.1 | 10.7% | 25.4% | 25.2% | 1963 | $685 | 22.0% | 93.4% | 2.2% |
| Marshall County | 2.56 | 43.0 | 6.0% | 19.7% | 31.5% | 1968 | $783 | 25.5% | 92.4% | 0.3% |
| Roberts County | 2.87 | 38.5 | 14.8% | 28.8% | 21.5% | 1971 | $681 | 18.0% | 91.5% | 6.1% |
| Codington County | 2.32 | 39.6 | 7.7% | 30.2% | 9.5% | 1979 | $1,052 | 23.0% | 94.4% | 2.1% |
| Clark County | 2.91 | 39.5 | 5.8% | 22.5% | 16.6% | 1957 | $754 | 20.8% | 91.1% | 3.6% |
| Grant County | 2.49 | 44.1 | 7.6% | 24.4% | 14.4% | 1972 | $855 | 26.2% | 91.3% | 2.5% |
| Brown County | 2.33 | 38.8 | 9.7% | 32.4% | 10.7% | 1973 | $856 | 32.8% | 93.5% | 3.4% |
| Big Stone County | 2.32 | 47.6 | 4.4% | 20.3% | 27.9% | 1957 | $759 | 26.0% | 93.8% | 1.6% |
| Traverse County | 2.46 | 46.2 | 5.6% | 18.2% | 29.8% | 1964 | $707 | 16.8% | 94.7% | 4.2% |
| Spink County | 2.44 | 45.6 | 4.4% | 27.3% | 18.4% | 1954 | $746 | 28.2% | 93.5% | 1.3% |
| Lac qui Parle County | 2.25 | 46.8 | 7.4% | 17.5% | 15.3% | 1950 | $716 | 24.2% | 95.2% | 2.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Nance County, NE · Louisa County, IA · Love County, OK · Loving County, TX · Lowndes County, AL · Lucas County, IA · Luce County, MI · Lunenburg County, VA · Lyman County, SD · Lynn County, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Day County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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