Lincoln County is a county of 70,638 people in South Dakota. Since 2000 the county has roughly tripled, up 46,507 people. Few US counties rank higher on income. Households here earn about 32% more than in South Dakota as a whole. 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 5% of people here were born outside the United States.
At a glance
Wealthier
median household income $99,166, above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.9
US median: 38.9
More educated
44% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 85%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Lincoln County
What changed most since 1990
Population15,427 → 70,638(+358%)US over the same years: +35%
Median home value (2024 dollars)$114,963 → $348,300(+203%)US over the same years: +67%
Adults with a bachelor's degree16.4% → 44.4%(+28.1 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts
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)36.3%(1,157)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)22.2%(709)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era34.7%(1,108)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War2.3%(72)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0.1%(4)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 3,191 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
Lincoln County, decade by decade
Lincoln 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
15,427
$68,505
$114,963
16.4%
2.4
2000
24,131
$88,055
$188,541
25.5%
6.7
2010
44,828
$96,909
$244,125
36.9%
11.5
2020
65,161
$102,126
$291,132
36.7%
24.0
2024
70,638
$99,166
$348,300
44.4%
25.6
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 Lincoln County, South Dakota?
Lincoln County, South Dakota has about 70,638 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Lincoln County, South Dakota?
The typical household in Lincoln County, South Dakota earns about $99,166 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Lincoln County, South Dakota expensive?
In Lincoln County, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $348,300, and the typical rent is about $1,260 a month.
How educated are people in Lincoln County, South Dakota?
About 44.4% of adults age 25 and over in Lincoln County, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Lincoln County, South Dakota?
About 5.6% of people in Lincoln County, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.
Has Lincoln County, South Dakota grown since 1990?
Yes, Lincoln County, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 55,211 residents, a change of about 358 percent over that period.
