Potter County Demographics

A map of Potter County's Population by Race

Potter County, South Dakota has an estimated population of 2,388, a decrease from the 2,472 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.3% White, 2.5% Multiracial, 2.1% Native American/Other, 1.5% Black, 0.6% Asian, and 0.0% Hispanic. This demographic dot map shows the population of Potter County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Potter has become slightly 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 Potter County, that probability was 12.3% in 2020 and 12.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Potter County is ranked the 52nd most populous county in South Dakota, out of 66 counties. Potter County was ranked the 52nd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Potter County's White Population

2,227 residents of Potter County, or 93.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Potter County is considerably higher than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Potter County ranks 12th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Potter County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.8%. White residents' share of Potter County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 93.3%.

Potter County is more White than neighboring Walworth County (78.2% White), Sully County (86.5% White), Hughes County (80.2% White), Hyde County (86.1% White), and Campbell County (88.6% White).

Potter County's Black Population

37 residents of Potter County, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Potter County is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Potter County ranks 34th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Potter County's Black population has grown by an estimated 516.7%. Black residents' share of Potter County's population has increased from 0.2% to 1.5%.

Potter County is more Black than neighboring Walworth County (0.3% Black), Hughes County (0.1% Black), Hyde County (0.3% Black), and Campbell County (0% Black). Potter County is less Black than neighboring Sully County (4.5% Black).

Potter County's Asian Population

15 residents of Potter County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Potter County is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Potter County ranks 19th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Potter County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 7.1%. Asian residents' share of Potter County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Potter County is more Asian than neighboring Sully County (0% Asian), Hyde County (0% Asian), and Campbell County (0.1% Asian). Potter County is less Asian than neighboring Hughes County (0.7% Asian).

Potter County's Hispanic Population

0 residents of Potter County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Potter County is slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Potter County ranks 52nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Potter County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Potter County's population has decreased from 1.6% to 0.0%.

Potter County is less Hispanic than neighboring Walworth County (0.6% Hispanic), Hughes County (3.3% Hispanic), Hyde County (1.6% Hispanic), and Campbell County (7.8% Hispanic).

Potter County's Native American/Other Population

50 residents of Potter County, or 2.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Potter County is lower than in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Potter County ranks 38th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Potter County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 13.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Potter County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.

Potter County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Hyde County (0.9% Native American/Other), and Campbell County (0.5% Native American/Other). Potter County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Walworth County (10.9% Native American/Other), Sully County (4.3% Native American/Other), and Hughes County (10.8% Native American/Other).

Potter County's Multiracial Population

59 residents of Potter County, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Potter County is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Potter County ranks 63rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 66 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Potter County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 43.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Potter County's population has increased from 1.7% to 2.5%.

Potter County is less Multiracial than neighboring Walworth County (9.5% Multiracial), Sully County (4.7% Multiracial), Hughes County (5.1% Multiracial), Hyde County (11.2% Multiracial), and Campbell County (3% 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.