McPherson County is home to 2,145 people in South Dakota. At a median age of 50.0, this is an older place than the country as a whole. Home values have roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $85,600. 81% of homes are owner-occupied. Density works out to 2 people per square mile. The foreign-born share is 0%.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $66,906, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 50.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 77%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about McPherson County
What changed most since 1990
White share99.9% → 96.8%(−3.1 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Median home value (2024 dollars)$35,999 → $85,600(+138%)US over the same years: +67%
Population3,228 → 2,145(−34%)US over the same years: +35%
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)6.9%(14)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)28.4%(58)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era23%(47)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War6.9%(14)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II2.9%(6)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 204 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
McPherson County, decade by decade
McPherson 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
3,228
$36,829
$35,999
10.0%
0.3
2000
2,904
$40,769
$48,274
10.7%
2.1
2010
2,459
$45,923
$64,880
14.8%
5.4
2020
2,411
$62,273
$75,874
23.5%
14.6
2024
2,145
$66,906
$85,600
26.5%
7.8
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 McPherson County, South Dakota?
McPherson County, South Dakota has about 2,145 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in McPherson County, South Dakota?
The typical household in McPherson County, South Dakota earns about $66,906 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is McPherson County, South Dakota expensive?
In McPherson County, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $85,600, and the typical rent is about $594 a month.
How educated are people in McPherson County, South Dakota?
About 26.5% of adults age 25 and over in McPherson County, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in McPherson County, South Dakota?
About 12.9% of people in McPherson County, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.
Has McPherson County, South Dakota grown since 1990?
Yes, McPherson County, South Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,083 residents, a change of about -34 percent over that period.
