Hand County Demographics

A map of Hand County's Population by Race

Hand County, South Dakota has an estimated population of 3,140, a less than 1% change from the 3,145 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 92.2% White, 3.4% Native American/Other, 2.1% Hispanic, 1.7% Multiracial, 0.5% Black, and 0.1% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Hand County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Hand has become considerably 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 Hand County, that probability was 9.4% in 2020 and 14.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Hand County is ranked the 46th most populous county in South Dakota, out of 66 counties. Hand County was ranked the 46th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Hand County's White Population

2,895 residents of Hand County, or 92.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Hand County is considerably higher than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Hand County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Hand County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.2%. White residents' share of Hand County's population has decreased from 95.1% to 92.2%.

Hand County is more White than neighboring Hyde County (86.1% White), Buffalo County (17.5% White), Jerauld County (89.4% White), and Beadle County (68.1% White). Hand County is less White than neighboring Faulk County (95.1% White).

Hand County's Black Population

15 residents of Hand County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Hand County is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Hand County ranks 37th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Hand County's Black population has grown by an estimated 114.3%. Black residents' share of Hand County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Hand County is more Black than neighboring Hyde County (0.3% Black), Buffalo County (0% Black), Faulk County (0% Black), and Jerauld County (0% Black). Hand County is less Black than neighboring Beadle County (1% Black).

Hand County's Asian Population

3 residents of Hand County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Hand County is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Hand County ranks 40th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Hand County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 57.1%. Asian residents' share of Hand County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Hand County is more Asian than neighboring Hyde County (0% Asian), Buffalo County (0% Asian), and Jerauld County (0% Asian). Hand County is less Asian than neighboring Faulk County (0.2% Asian), and Beadle County (9.8% Asian).

Hand County's Hispanic Population

65 residents of Hand County, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Hand County is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Hand County ranks 53rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Hand County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 32.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Hand County's population has increased from 1.6% to 2.1%.

Hand County is more Hispanic than neighboring Hyde County (1.6% Hispanic), Buffalo County (1.7% Hispanic), and Faulk County (1.3% Hispanic). Hand County is less Hispanic than neighboring Jerauld County (7% Hispanic), and Beadle County (14.9% Hispanic).

Hand County's Native American/Other Population

108 residents of Hand County, or 3.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Hand County is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Hand County ranks 59th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Hand County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 332.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Hand County's population has increased from 0.8% to 3.4%.

Hand County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Hyde County (0.9% Native American/Other), Faulk County (0.2% Native American/Other), Jerauld County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Beadle County (1.5% Native American/Other). Hand County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Buffalo County (79.1% Native American/Other).

Hand County's Multiracial Population

54 residents of Hand County, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Hand County is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Hand County ranks 55th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Hand County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 16.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Hand County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.7%.

Hand County is less Multiracial than neighboring Hyde County (11.2% Multiracial), Faulk County (3.2% Multiracial), Jerauld County (3.4% Multiracial), and Beadle County (4.7% 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.