Custer County

As of the 2020 Census, Custer County, South Dakota, has a population of approximately 8,318. The racial makeup is predominantly White (93.7%), followed by Native American (2.5%), and smaller percentages of other races. 1.7% are Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median age is around 51 years. The county covers 1,559 square miles, with a population density of about 5.3 people per square mile. Households number around 3,760, with an average household size of 2.2. The median household income is approximately $52,365, and about 11.3% of the population falls below the poverty line.

Custer County, SD, has a median home price of approximately $342,000. The region sees a home appreciation rate of about 8.1% per year. Rent prices for a two-bedroom apartment hover around $900 per month. The county has a homeownership rate of approximately 74%, with a vacancy rate of 17.3%. The average household size is 2.27 people. Note that these figures can fluctuate due to market conditions.

As of 2023, Custer County, South Dakota, participates in various local, state, and national elections. The county's voter registration includes a mix of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. In the most recent election, County Commission seats, school board positions, and municipal roles were contested.

For the Custer County Commission, candidates included Republicans Mike Linde and Jim Lintz, with independent candidates also vying for seats. Voter turnout has varied, with recent elections seeing around 60% of registered voters participating. School board elections featured candidates focused on educational policies and budget management.

For updated and accurate election information, including specific candidates and voting statistics, residents can visit the Custer County official website or the South Dakota Secretary of State's election page.

Custer County, SD has a high school graduation rate of approximately 92%, which is above the national average of around 85% and the South Dakota average of 89%. About 28% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is slightly lower than the national average of 33%, but comparable to South Dakota's average of around 29%. The county's educational attainment rates reflect a relatively well-educated population that outperforms state averages at the high school level but slightly lags at the higher education level.

As of the latest data, Custer County, SD, has an employment count of approximately 4,000 people. The top industries in the county include Tourism and Hospitality (around 25%), Retail Trade (15%), Education and Health Services (13%), and Manufacturing (10%). Comparatively, the tourism and hospitality sector’s prominence is notably higher than the national average, which stands at about 11%. Retail trade and health services align closely with the national shares, at approximately 12% and 16%, respectively. South Dakota overall sees a heavier emphasis on agriculture, constituting around 7% of employment, which is higher than the national average of about 1.5%, reflecting the state's rural characteristics. Custer County's employment landscape is shaped significantly by the presence of the Black Hills, attracting a large number of seasonal tourists.

As of the latest available data, Custer County, SD, has a median household income of approximately $54,000. In comparison, the national median household income is around $68,700, and the South Dakota state median is about $59,900.

This indicates that Custer County's median household income is lower than both the state and national averages, reflecting economic differences in the region.

As of the most recent data, Custer County, SD, has relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. In 2022, the crime rates per 1,000 residents were as follows:

Custer County's violent crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents is significantly lower than the national average of 4.0. Property crime rates are also notably lower, with 11.7 per 1,000 residents compared to the national average of 22.0. This reflects the county's status as a relatively safe and low-crime area.