Population 2,145 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in McPherson County
Household size in McPherson County
| Period | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.53 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.04 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.24 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.09 | 2.48 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.44 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
McPherson County is a place of small households, averaging 2.09 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.53 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change. Few South Dakota counties have smaller households: only two of 66.
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 McPherson County
| Period | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.7 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 51.6 | 38.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 50.3 | 38.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.4 | 38.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.7 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.4, McPherson County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Only five of South Dakota's 66 counties are older.
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 McPherson County
| Period | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.9% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.6% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 2.8% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.1% of households in McPherson County, well below the national share of 11.6%. McPherson County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five South Dakota counties.
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 McPherson County
Renters in McPherson County
| Period | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.0% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.9% | 32.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.9% | 32.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.7% | 31.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 18.7% of households in McPherson County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 80.0% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. McPherson County has a lower share of renters than at least four in five South Dakota counties.
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 McPherson County
| Period | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.9% | 11.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.7% | 10.7% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 28.9% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.2% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in McPherson County: 24.2% 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. McPherson County has a higher vacancy rate than at least four in five South Dakota counties.
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 McPherson County
| Period | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1947 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1952 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1955 | 1977 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1964 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +17 | +9 | +6 |
The housing in McPherson County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1964, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. McPherson County has older homes than most South Dakota counties.
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 McPherson County
| Period | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $279 | $631 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $270 | $692 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $513 | $798 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $637 | $1,000 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$358 | +$369 | +$606 |
The median renter in McPherson County pays $637 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 16.7% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. McPherson County has lower rents than at least four in five South Dakota counties.
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 McPherson County
Bachelor's degrees in McPherson County
| Period | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.2% | 26.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.3% | 27.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.7% | 29.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.4% | 32.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.2 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a quarter of adults 25 and older in McPherson County (27.4%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national share of 35.6%.
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 McPherson County
| Period | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 68.6% | 89.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.6% | 91.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.1% | 91.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 83.8% | 93.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +15.2 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in six adults in McPherson County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 83.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Few South Dakota counties have a lower share of high school graduates: only three of 66.
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 McPherson County
| Period | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.4% | 4.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.8% | 4.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.5% | 3.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.1% | 3.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in McPherson County has been low: just 1.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. McPherson County has lower unemployment than at least four in five South Dakota counties. 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).
McPherson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McPherson County | 2.09 | 49.4 | 5.1% | 18.7% | 24.2% | 1964 | $637 | 27.4% | 83.8% | 1.1% |
| Campbell County | 2.12 | 50.2 | 0.7% | 23.7% | 16.1% | 1961 | $969 | 36.0% | 91.9% | 3.1% |
| Marshall County | 2.56 | 43.0 | 6.0% | 19.7% | 31.5% | 1968 | $783 | 25.5% | 92.4% | 0.3% |
| Corson County | 3.48 | 29.4 | 28.7% | 40.9% | 16.2% | 1974 | $521 | 18.3% | 85.3% | 26.2% |
| Roberts County | 2.87 | 38.5 | 14.8% | 28.8% | 21.5% | 1971 | $681 | 18.0% | 91.5% | 6.1% |
| Traverse County | 2.46 | 46.2 | 5.6% | 18.2% | 29.8% | 1964 | $707 | 16.8% | 94.7% | 4.2% |
| Perkins County | 2.23 | 45.3 | 9.2% | 21.6% | 25.0% | 1966 | $776 | 25.2% | 94.9% | 4.8% |
| Pope County | 2.29 | 45.7 | 6.1% | 16.5% | 20.0% | 1970 | $1,007 | 24.3% | 95.6% | 1.2% |
| Harding County | 2.22 | 46.3 | 4.0% | 23.5% | 27.6% | 1973 | $521 | 30.4% | 93.8% | 0.9% |
| Benton County | 2.49 | 37.0 | 12.2% | 33.3% | 5.9% | 1987 | $1,176 | 26.8% | 92.8% | 4.0% |
| Carter County | 2.14 | 57.0 | 1.9% | 37.8% | 27.7% | 1976 | $773 | 20.7% | 93.7% | 3.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Powder River County, MT · Lemhi County, ID · Leslie County, KY · Lewis County, ID · Lewis County, MO · Pike County, IN · Pocahontas County, IA · Pocahontas County, WV · Polk County, NE · Pondera County, MT
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 McPherson 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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