Brule County Population Highlights

• From 1990 to 2000, Brule County lost 121 residents, which was 2.2% decrease in its population

• From 1990 to 2000, Brule County lost 390 residents to out-migration which was a 7.1% decrease in its population

• From the population pyramid, we can see that many residents aged 20-34 have migrated out of Brule County.

• 30.50% of Brule County’s population is under the age of 18, while 16.87% are aged 65+.

• The median age in Brule County is 36.9.  This is younger than Aurora, but older than Lyman.

• The sex ratio in Brule County is 93.16, meaning there are about 93 males for every 100 females.  This is much lower than both Aurora and Lyman counties.  Indeed, Brule County’s sex ratio is the lowest in the area (Aurora, Buffalo, Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, and Sanborn)

• Brule County’s fertility rate is 62.6 births for every 100 females aged 15-44.  This is higher than Aurora, but lower than Lyman. The fertility rate would probably be lower without the two Hutterite colonies located within the county boundaries.

Race/Ethnicity in Brule County

Brule County Agriculture in 2002

• Brule County had 365 farms, which was a 3.7% decrease from 1997.

• Brule County’s average farm size was 1,225 acres. This was larger than Aurora, but smaller than Lyman.

• Brule County’s average net farm income was $22,074. This was higher than both Aurora and Lyman counties.

Brule County Economics in 2000

• Brule County’s per capita income $14,874.  This was slightly higher than both Aurora and Lyman counties.

• Brule County’s median household income was $32,370.  This was higher than both Aurora and Lyman counties.

• 20.6% of Brule County’s population aged 25+ had received a B.S. degree or higher.  This is higher than both Aurora and Lyman counties.

• 14.30% of Brule County’s population lives below the official poverty line.  This compares with 13.18% for the state of South Dakota, 11.44% for Aurora County, and 24.27% for Lyman County.

• 11.50% of Brule County’s children under the age of 5 live at or below the poverty line.  This compares with 19.77% for the state of South Dakota, 18.34% for Aurora County, and 54.98% for Lyman County.

• 14.0% of employees working in Brule County commute in from another county.  This is lower than both Aurora and Lyman counties.

Brule Count Employment by Industry

Income Distribution

Data compiled by:

W. Trevor Brooks

Rural Life and Census Data Center

South Dakota State University

Sources:

South Dakota Data Center (Vermillion, SD)

South Dakota Labor Market

U.S. Census of Agriculture (2002)

U.S. Census Bureau (2000)