Harding County Population Highlights

• From 1990 to 2000, Harding County lost 316 residents, which was an 18.9% decrease in its total population.

• From 1990 to 2000, Harding County lost 407 residents to out-migration, which was a 24.4% decrease in its total population.  This is the largest decrease due to out-migration in the state of South Dakota. 

• From the population pyramid, we can see that many of Harding County’s residents aged 20-34 are leaving the county.

• 32.52% of Harding County’s residents are under the age of 18, while 13.38% are aged 65+.

• Harding County’s median age is 37.6. This is younger than both Butte and Perkins counties.

• Harding County’s sex ratio is 104.69, meaning there are about 105 males for every 100 females.  This is much higher than both Butte and Perkins counties.

• Harding County’s fertility rate is 53.4 births for every 1,000 females aged 15-44.  This is lower than Butte, but slightly higher than Perkins.

Race/Ethnicity in Harding County

Harding County Agriculture in 2002

• Harding County had 223 farms, which was a 15.9% decrease since 1997.

• Harding County’s average farm size was 7,507 acres, which was much larger than both Butte and Perkins counties.

• Harding County’s average net farm income was $39,266.  This is higher than both Butte and Perkins counties.

Harding County Economics in 2000

• Harding County’s per capita income was $12,794.  This is lower than Butte and Perkins counties.

• Harding County’s median household income was $25,000.  This is lower than both Butte and Perkins counties.

• 17.8% of Harding County’s residents aged 25+ had received a B.S. degree or higher.  This is higher than both Butte and Perkins counties.

• 21.13% of Harding County’s residents are living at or below the official poverty line.  This compares with 13.18% for the state of South Dakota, 12.80% for Butte County, and 16.92% for Perkins County.

• 38.18% of Harding County’s children under the age of 5 are living at or below the official poverty line.  This compares with 19.77% for the state of South Dakota, 22.30% for Butte County, and 25.26% for Perkins County.

• 5.3% of workers in Harding County commute into work from another county.  This is lower than both Butte and Potter counties.

Harding County 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)