Custer County - Demographics & Population

Custer County's population was 8,338 as of July 1, 2011 according to estimates by the U.S. Census. This total represented a 1 percent increase over the previous year. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the county grew at a rapid rate of 12 percent between 2000 and the 2010, largely as a product of elderly retirees moving into the county. In 2010, one in five residents was over the age of 65. Like most of rural South Dakota, the population is primarily white (94.2 percent). American Indians (2.9 percent) and Hispanics (2.2 percent) are the significant minorities.  For a summary of Census Data on communities within Custer County visit ZIPskinny and choose Custer, Hermosa, Pringle, Fairburn, or Buffalo Gap.

Poverty

For a summary of poverty rates for Custer County compared to other Black Hills counties according to the U. S. Census, please click here. According to the South Dakota Kids Count project, the estimated percentage of children under the age of 18 in poverty in Custer County averaged 18 percent between 2005 and 2009.