Meade County - Demographics & Population

Considered a part of the Rapid City metropolitan region, Meade County's population was 25,546 as of July 1, 2011, according to estimates by the U.S. Census. This total reflected a 0.4 percent increase over the previous year.

At the time of the 2010 Census, more than 6,627 residents were concentrated in the county seat of Sturgis, and along the I-90 corridor between Sturgis and Rapid City. Meade County's population grew by 4.9 percent between 2000 and 2010. 

Meade County officials believe that many residents were not counted in the 2010 U.S. Census. According to Deputy Planning Director Bill Rich, information from the board of equalization indicates that residents of the City of Summerset were missed entirely and the City of Sturgis may have been undercounted. All totaled, county officials are asking the Census Bureau to revise the population count by adding 3,305 people to the county's reported population of 25,434. County officials commented on the issue in the Meade County Times Tribune. 

Age

The median age for Meade County residents is 35.9. Children 15 years and older accounted for 22.6 percent of the population in 2010, while persons 65 years and over made up 11.9 percent of the population. 

Race

Predominately white (92 percent), minorities in Meade County include American Indian (2.3 percent), African American (1.3 percent), Hispanics (3.0 percent) and Asian (0,6 percent).

Poverty

Meade County has a poverty rate of 10.6 percent, lower than the regional and statewide averages. According to the South Dakota Kids Count project, the estimated percentage of children under the age of 18 in poverty in Meade County rose from 13 percent to 17 percent between 2005 and 2009.

Towns and Cities in Meade County

Other communities in Meade County include: Summerset and Faith. A census profile for Faith is available from the U.S. Census.