With 2,388 people, Potter County is a county in South Dakota. The median age is 49.9, about 11 years above the US median. Few US counties rank higher on income. 82% of homes are owner-occupied. Density works out to 3 people per square mile. The typical home is worth $121,300, having more than doubled since 2000.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $72,045, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 49.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 53%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Potter County
What changed most since 1990
Poverty rate19.0% → 6.2%(−12.9 pts)US over the same years: −0.8 pts
Population3,190 → 2,388(−25%)US over the same years: +35%
White share99.4% → 93.3%(−6.1 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 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)10%(10)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)7%(7)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era55%(55)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War10%(10)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 100 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
Potter County, decade by decade
Potter 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
3,190
$49,619
$70,802
12.3%
1.6
2000
2,693
$54,806
$79,242
16.2%
4.8
2010
2,329
$61,027
$79,985
19.9%
7.3
2020
2,472
$69,232
$128,476
23.5%
15.1
2024
2,388
$72,045
$121,300
27.2%
16.0
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.
