Codington County

As of the 2020 Census, Codington County in South Dakota has a population of approximately 28,325. The racial composition includes around 91.9% White, 3.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.5% Black or African American, and 3.4% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The county involves around 11,696 households, with an average household size of 2.39. The median age is 38 years. The median household income is approximately $57,882, and about 9.1% of the population lives below the poverty line. Watertown serves as the county seat and is the largest city within the county.

As of recent data, Codington County, SD has a median home value of approximately $181,000. The median rent is about $750 per month. The homeownership rate stands at around 69%, with the vacancy rate for rental properties at approximately 6%. The average household size in the county is 2.4 persons. Housing units total around 12,478, with 8.8% of those units considered vacant.

Note: Values might vary slightly based on different sources or recent changes.

In Codington County, South Dakota, the election process includes federal, state, and local races. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump received 14,015 votes (69.6%) and Joe Biden received 5,749 votes (28.5%). The county also participates in elections for U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, the South Dakota state legislature, and local positions like county commissioners, sheriff, and school board members. In the 2022 county commissioner race, notable candidates included incumbent Myron Johnson and challenger Lisa Wilke. For precise and up-to-date information, including candidate lists and numerical values for upcoming elections, it’s recommended to visit the Codington County Auditor's website or the South Dakota Secretary of State’s election page.

As of recent data, Codington County, SD, shows a high school graduation rate of approximately 92.5%, higher than the national average of 88% and the South Dakota state average of 91.2%. About 24.3% of the county's residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of around 33% and the state average of 28.5%. Despite a lower percentage of college graduates, the higher high school graduation rate signifies strong foundational education.

The county benefits from a range of educational institutions, including Watertown School District and Lake Area Technical College, supporting both secondary and post-secondary education. While Codington County outperforms national and state averages in high school completion, there is room for improvement in higher education attainment compared to broader measures.

Codington County, SD has an employment base predominantly in manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare. The manufacturing industry is particularly strong here, employing around 30% of workers, which is significantly higher than the national average of 8.5% and the South Dakota average of roughly 12%. Retail trade employs approximately 15%, compared to the national average of 10%. Healthcare, encompassing both hospital and outpatient services, employs around 12% of the workforce, aligning closely with national and state averages of 14%.

Unemployment rates in Codington County tend to be lower than the national average, often hovering around 3%, compared to the U.S. average of 6% and South Dakota's 3.5%. Overall, the economy is diversified but relies heavily on manufacturing and retail, distinguishing it from broader state and national employment patterns.

As of the latest available data, the median household income in Codington County, SD, is approximately $55,000. Comparatively, the median household income in South Dakota is around $59,000, while the national median household income stands at roughly $68,700. Thus, Codington County’s median income is below both the state and national averages.

Income Comparison Table

These figures provide insight into the economic standing of Codington County relative to broader averages, highlighting a moderate disparity.

Crime rates in Codington County, SD, are generally lower than the national average. Below is a summary of crime statistics recorded in 2022.

Codington County's overall crime rate is 1,345 per 100,000 residents, significantly lower than the national average of around 2,500 per 100,000 residents.