Population 10,221 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Roberts County
Household size in Roberts County
| Period | Roberts County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.68 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.82 | 2.51 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.66 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.87 | 2.48 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.19 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Roberts County holds 2.87 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.68, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the northeast.
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 Roberts County
| Period | Roberts County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.1 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.5 | 38.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.3 | 38.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.5 | 38.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.5 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Roberts County is 38.5 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has edged down from 39.1 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. The youngest areas are in the west, the oldest in the southeast.
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 Roberts County
| Period | Roberts County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.7% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.0% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 20.1% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Roberts County (14.8%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Roberts County has a higher 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 Roberts County
Renters in Roberts County
| Period | Roberts County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.3% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.4% | 32.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 33.5% | 32.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 28.8% | 31.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | +0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Roberts County own their homes; 28.8% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. About two-thirds of owners (66.9%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the west and least common in the southeast.
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 Roberts County
| Period | Roberts County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.7% | 11.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.9% | 10.7% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.6% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.5% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Roberts County: 21.5% 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 3.8 points, even as the national rate fell.
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 Roberts County
| Period | Roberts County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1970 | 1977 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1971 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +9 | +6 |
The housing in Roberts County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1971, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1963 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the north 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 Roberts County
| Period | Roberts County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $402 | $631 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $509 | $692 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $570 | $798 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $681 | $1,000 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$279 | +$369 | +$606 |
The median renter in Roberts County pays $681 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $279 a month since 2006–10, up 69%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 21.2% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Roberts County
Bachelor's degrees in Roberts County
| Period | Roberts County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.4% | 26.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.8% | 27.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.3% | 29.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.0% | 32.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Roberts County: 18.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 2.6 points, mirroring the country. Roberts County has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of South Dakota counties.
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 Roberts County
| Period | Roberts County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.0% | 89.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.2% | 91.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.5% | 91.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.5% | 93.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Roberts County have finished high school (91.5%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. Even so, the rate is lower than in South Dakota as a whole (93.1%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.4 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 Roberts County
| Period | Roberts County | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 4.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 4.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 3.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.1% | 3.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Roberts County than nationally: unemployment was 6.1%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has edged down 1.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Roberts 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Marshall County | 2.56 | 43.0 | 6.0% | 19.7% | 31.5% | 1968 | $783 | 25.5% | 92.4% | 0.3% |
| Stevens County | 2.40 | 34.3 | 5.7% | 36.6% | 7.8% | 1969 | $956 | 32.2% | 93.5% | 1.8% |
| Pope County | 2.29 | 45.7 | 6.1% | 16.5% | 20.0% | 1970 | $1,007 | 24.3% | 95.6% | 1.2% |
| McPherson County | 2.09 | 49.4 | 5.1% | 18.7% | 24.2% | 1964 | $637 | 27.4% | 83.8% | 1.1% |
| Stearns County | 2.53 | 37.2 | 8.9% | 32.1% | 8.2% | 1983 | $1,133 | 29.1% | 92.0% | 4.3% |
| Benton County | 2.49 | 37.0 | 12.2% | 33.3% | 5.9% | 1987 | $1,176 | 26.8% | 92.8% | 4.0% |
| Mille Lacs County | 2.55 | 42.2 | 11.4% | 22.1% | 14.5% | 1985 | $1,158 | 18.3% | 91.9% | 4.4% |
| Walworth County | 2.13 | 41.7 | 6.6% | 23.8% | 17.1% | 1966 | $865 | 27.0% | 91.8% | 3.2% |
| Isanti County | 2.62 | 40.8 | 10.4% | 16.3% | 6.3% | 1988 | $1,339 | 20.6% | 93.2% | 3.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Mitchell County, KS · Oldham County, TX · Okfuskee County, OK · Ohio County, IN · Oglethorpe County, GA · Oglala Lakota County, SD · Monroe County, AL · Modoc County, CA · Mitchell County, TX · Mitchell County, NC
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 Roberts 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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