Meade County Population Trends

Meade County Population Trends
1920	1940	1960	1980	1990	2000	2010	2020
9,367	9,735	12,044	20,717	21,878	24,253	28,296	33,642

Meade County Population Highlights

From 1990 to 2000, Meade County gained 2,375 residents, which was a 10.9% increase in its total population.

From 1990 to 2000, Meade County lost 279 residents to out-migration, which was a 1.3% decrease in its total population.

28.36% of Meade County’s residents are under the age of 18, while 10.43% are aged 65+.

Meade County’s median age is 33.4. This is younger than both Lawrence and Pennington counties.

Meade County’s sex ratio is 102.09, meaning there are about 102 males for every 100 females. This is higher than both Lawrence and Pennington counties.

Meade County’s fertility rate is 71.1 births for every 1,000 females aged 15-44. This is higher than Lawrence, but lower than Pennington.

Race/Ethnicity in Meade County

Meade County Agriculture in 2002

Meade County’s average farm size was 2,490 acres. This is larger than both Lawrence and Pennington counties.

Meade County’s average net farm income was $22,938. This is higher than both Lawrence and Pennington counties.

Meade County Economics in 2000

Meade County’s per capita income was $17,680. This is higher than Lawrence, but lower than Pennington.

Meade County’s median household income is $36,992. This is higher than Lawrence, but lower than Pennington.

16.8% of Meade County’s residents aged 25+ had received a B.S. degree or higher. This is lower than both Lawrence and Pennington counties.

9.39% of Meade County’s residents are living at or below the official poverty line. This compares with 13.18% for the state of South Dakota, 14.75% for Lawrence County, and 11.53% for Pennington County.

14.47% of Meade 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, 27.37% for Lawrence County, and 21.58% for Pennington County.

53.2% of Meade County’s working age residents commute to another county to work. This is much higher than both Lawrence and Pennington counties.

Meade County Employment by Industry

Total Employed	Percentage	Number
Educational, health, and social services	20.32	2,270
Retail	14.16	1,582
Agriculture	7.70	860
Manufacturing	7.25	810
Construction	7.22	807
Public Administration	6.78	757
Total		11,172

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)