Perkins County Population Highlights

• From 1990 to 2000, Perkins County lost 569 residents to out-migration, which was a 14.5% decrease in its total population.

• From 1990 to 2000, Perkins County lost 495 residents to out-migration, which was a 12.6% decrease in its total population.

• From the population pyramid, we can see that Perkins County is losing many residents aged 20-34 to out-migration.

• 24.12% of Perkins County’s residents are under the age of 18, while 23.67% are aged 65+.

• Perkins County’s median age is 43.1.  This is older than both Corson and Harding counties.

• Perkins County’s sex ratio is 96.32, meaning there are about 96 males for every 100 females.  This is lower than both Corson and Harding counties.

• Perkins County’s fertility rate is 53.1 births for every 1,000 females aged 15-44.  This is lower than both Corson and Harding counties.

Race/Ethnicity in Perkins County

Perkins County Agriculture in 2002

• Perkins County had 452 farms, which was a 15.2% decrease from 1997.

• Perkins County’s average farm size was 3,942 acres, which is larger than Corson, but smaller than Harding.

• Perkins County’s average net farm income was $23,062.  This is higher than Corson, but lower than Harding.

Perkins County Economics in 2000

• Perkins County’s per capita income was $15,734.  This is higher than both Corson and Harding Counties.

• Perkins County’s median household income was $27,750.  This is higher than both Corson and Harding counties.

• 14.6% of Perkins County’s residents aged 25+ had received a B.S. degree or higher.  This is higher than Corson, but lower than Harding.

• 16.92% of Perkins County’s residents are living at or below the official poverty line.  This compares with 13.18% for the state of South Dakota, 40.99% for Corson County, and 21.13% for Harding County.

• 25.26% of Perkins 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, 44.02% for Corson County, and 38.18% for Harding County.

•  5.3% of Perkins County’s working aged residents commute to another county to work.  This is lower than both Corson and Harding counties.

Perkins County’s 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)