With 27,233 people, Lawrence County is a county in South Dakota. Few US counties rank higher on income. At a median age of 44.8, this is an older place than the country as a whole. 2% of people here were born outside the United States. Growth has run 25% since 2000, or 5,431 more people. Density works out to 34 people per square mile.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $73,384, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.8
US median: 38.9
Average education
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 131%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Lawrence County
What changed most since 1990
Median home value (2024 dollars)$125,284 → $346,500(+177%)US over the same years: +67%
White share95.6% → 88.8%(−6.8 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Median age32.5 → 44.8(+12.3 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)30.8%(728)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)28.8%(682)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era34.8%(824)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War2.7%(64)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 2,366 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Lawrence County, decade by decade
Lawrence County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
20,655
$59,558
$125,284
19.2%
10.6
2000
21,802
$57,847
$149,922
24.0%
12.9
2010
24,097
$60,932
$223,122
31.8%
17.2
2020
25,768
$63,203
$271,739
35.0%
25.6
2024
27,233
$73,384
$346,500
32.9%
25.7
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Lawrence County, South Dakota?
Lawrence County, South Dakota has about 27,233 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Lawrence County, South Dakota?
The typical household in Lawrence County, South Dakota earns about $73,384 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Lawrence County, South Dakota expensive?
In Lawrence County, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $346,500, and the typical rent is about $938 a month.
How educated are people in Lawrence County, South Dakota?
About 32.9% of adults age 25 and over in Lawrence County, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Lawrence County, South Dakota?
About 11.6% of people in Lawrence County, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.
Has Lawrence County, South Dakota grown since 1990?
Yes, Lawrence County, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,578 residents, a change of about 32 percent over that period.
