Day County Demographics

A map of Day County's Population by Race

Day County, South Dakota has an estimated population of 5,437, a less than 1% change from the 5,449 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 83.0% White, 9.9% Native American/Other, 4.2% Multiracial, 2.8% Hispanic, 0.1% Asian, and 0.0% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Day County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Day has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than South Dakota overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Day County, that probability was 27.8% in 2020 and 29.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Day County is ranked the 32nd most populous county in South Dakota, out of 66 counties. Day County was ranked the 32nd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Day County's White Population

4,514 residents of Day County, or 83.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Day County is slightly higher than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Day County ranks 44th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Day County's White population has declined by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Day County's population has decreased from 84.3% to 83.0%.

Day County is more White than neighboring Roberts County (56.5% White). Day County is less White than neighboring Marshall County (83.7% White), Clark County (90.7% White), Codington County (90.4% White), and Sargent County (89.6% White).

Day County's Black Population

2 residents of Day County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Day County is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Day County ranks 59th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Day County's Black population has declined by an estimated 33.3%. Black residents' share of Day County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Day County is less Black than neighboring Marshall County (0.1% Black), Clark County (0.5% Black), Codington County (0.7% Black), Roberts County (0.3% Black), and Sargent County (3.2% Black).

Day County's Asian Population

4 residents of Day County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Day County is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Day County ranks 30th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Day County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 78.9%. Asian residents' share of Day County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Day County is less Asian than neighboring Marshall County (0.2% Asian), Clark County (0.7% Asian), Codington County (0.6% Asian), Roberts County (0.8% Asian), and Sargent County (0.3% Asian).

Day County's Hispanic Population

154 residents of Day County, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Day County is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Day County ranks 26th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Day County's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Day County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Day County is more Hispanic than neighboring Roberts County (2.6% Hispanic). Day County is less Hispanic than neighboring Marshall County (6.4% Hispanic), Clark County (5.3% Hispanic), Codington County (3.3% Hispanic), and Sargent County (2.9% Hispanic).

Day County's Native American/Other Population

537 residents of Day County, or 9.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Day County is slightly higher than in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Day County ranks 18th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Day County's Native American/Other population has remained roughly the same. Native American/Other residents' share of Day County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.9%.

Day County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Marshall County (5.8% Native American/Other), Clark County (0.8% Native American/Other), Codington County (2.3% Native American/Other), and Sargent County (0.3% Native American/Other). Day County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Roberts County (34.6% Native American/Other).

Day County's Multiracial Population

226 residents of Day County, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Day County is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Day County ranks 43rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Day County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 63.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Day County's population has increased from 2.5% to 4.2%.

Day County is more Multiracial than neighboring Marshall County (3.8% Multiracial), Clark County (1.9% Multiracial), Codington County (2.8% Multiracial), and Sargent County (3.7% Multiracial). Day County is less Multiracial than neighboring Roberts County (5.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.