1st most populous of 66
With 208,639 residents in 2024, Minnehaha County ranks 1st by population among South Dakota's 66 counties and is home to 22.6% of the state's residents.

Minnehaha County has the largest economy in South Dakota ($22.4 billion GDP) and the 2nd largest immigrant share (7.6% foreign-born).
Minnehaha County is home to 208,639 people (2024 estimate) on 807 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 208,639 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 169,468 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 149,068 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +40.0% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +587 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +313 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 13.1 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 7.0 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in South Dakota | 1st of 66 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $78,658 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $22.4 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $76,880 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 8.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 35.2% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 7.6% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $287,600 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $978/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 36.0 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 84,814 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Comparable indicators for Minnehaha County, South Dakota and the United States.
| Indicator | County | South Dakota | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +5.8% | +4.3% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 13.1 | 12.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 7.0 | 9.4 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 4.3 | 4.1 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 258.6 | 12.2 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $78,658 | $75,699 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $76,880 | $75,081 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 8.8% | 11.9% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 35.2% | 31.9% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 7.6% | 4.0% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $287,600 | $257,400 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $978/month | $946/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 36.0 years | 38.0 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.1% | 68.6% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
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With 208,639 residents in 2024, Minnehaha County ranks 1st by population among South Dakota's 66 counties and is home to 22.6% of the state's residents.
Its population went from 149,068 in 2000 to 208,639 in 2024, a change of +40.0%, compared with +22.3% for South Dakota as a whole.
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 2,723 births and 1,468 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 1,255.
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population in 2024, at 208,639.
Minnehaha County has about 258.6 residents per square mile of land, ranking 1st of 66 counties; South Dakota averages 12.2.
With a median household income of $76,880 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 16th of 66 South Dakota counties; the state median is $75,081.
Its economy produced $22.4 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 1st largest among 66 South Dakota counties.
Real GDP grew 3.8% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).