County population in 2014: 2,429 (all rural); it was 2,904 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 236 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 597 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 1,021 Renter-occupied apartments: 192 (it was 206 in 2000)
% of renters here:
17%
State:
32%
Land area: 1137 sq. mi.
Water area: 14.9 sq. mi.
Population density: 2 people per square mile (very low).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in McPherson County: 76.3 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Agriculture,forestry,fishing and hunting, and mining (60.3%), Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (11.8%), Educational, health and social services (11.8%).
Estimated median household income in 2015: $37,845 ($22,380 in 1999)
This county:
$37,845
South Dakota:
$53,017
Median contract rent in 2015 for apartments: $403 (lower quartile is $102, upper quartile is $538)
This county:
$403
State:
$573
Estimated median house or condo value in 2015: $62,860 (it was $26,500 in 2000)
McPherson:
$62,860
South Dakota:
$152,800
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $36,761 - $121,858 Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $967 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $391
Institutionalized population: 55
Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 0
Rapes: 0
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 0
Burglaries: 0
Thefts: 0
Auto thefts: 0
Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 0
Rapes: 0
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 0
Burglaries: 0
Thefts: 0
Auto thefts: 0
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2015: $1,408 (1.2%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2015: $1,031 (1.7%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 22.1%
(17.9% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 46.8% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 79.1% for American Indian residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 21.5%
McPherson County:
21.5%
South Dakota:
13.7%
(17.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 38.0% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 73.8% for American Indian residents)
Median age of residents in 2015: 52 years old
(Males: 50 years old, Females: 54 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 54 years old, American Indian residents: 46 years old, Asian residents: 23 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 38 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in McPherson County is $368 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $484 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $639 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in McPherson County: Aberdeen Country Club (A), Aberdeen Filtration Plant (B), Daly Corners (C), Hutterville Fire Department (D), West Rondell Township Hall (E), Henry Township Hall (F), Good Samaritan Home (G), Franklin Township Hall (H), Lansing Township Hall (I), Carlisle Township Hall (J), Allison Township Hall (K), Frederick Township Hall (L), Greenfield Township Hall (M), Palmyra Township Hall (N), Savo Community Hall (O), Gem Township Hall (P), Bethany Cemetery (Q). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in McPherson County include: Peace Church (A), Scandinavian Lutheran Church (B), Saint Johns Lutheran Church (C), Augustana Church (D), Finnish Church (E), Aurland Church (F), Apostolic Church (G), Saint Marks Church (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Warner Cemetery (1), Augustana Cemetery (2), Sunset Memorial Gardens (3), East Rondell Cemetery (4), German Cemetery (5), Detroit Cemetery (6), Frederick Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Lakes and reservoirs: Lords Lake (A), Salt Lake (B), Alkali Lake (C), Willow Creek Lake (D), Mud Lake Reservoir (E), Elm Lake (F), Pigors Lake (G), Richmond Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Crow Creek (A), Maple River (B), Webber Gulch (C), Sewer Branch (D), Putney Slough (E), Moccasin Creek (F), Foot Creek (G), Elm River (H), Willow Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 23 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 58.8% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.7%
Number of foreign born residents: 24 (42% naturalized citizens)
McPherson County:
0.8%
Whole state:
1.8%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 9
1990 to 1994: 0
1985 to 1989: 0
1980 to 1984: 0
1975 to 1979: 0
1970 to 1974: 0
1970 to 1974: 3
1965 to 1969: 12
Note: State values scaled to McPherson County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 16.4 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 83.9%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 1,224
One, attached: 28
Two: 23
3 or 4: 46
5 to 9: 33
10 to 19: 2
20 or more: 17
Mobile homes: 92
Housing units in McPherson County with a mortgage: 146 (1 second mortgage, 5 home equity loan, 0 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 508
Here:
22.3% with mortgage
State:
60.6% with mortgage
Religion statistics for McPherson County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Mainline Protestant
1,188
6
Evangelical Protestant
466
6
Catholic
351
2
None
454
-
McPherson County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 3
McPherson County:
12.07 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.84 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 1
This county:
4.02 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:
0.65 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 2
McPherson County:
8.05 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:
6.68 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 3
This county:
12.07 / 10,000 pop.
State:
9.21 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
McPherson County:
9.4%
South Dakota:
7.7%
Adult obesity rate:
McPherson County:
26.3%
State:
27.7%
Agriculture in McPherson County:
Average size of farms: 1300 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $146,208 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $37.40 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.00% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 89.15% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $116,158 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 32.63% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 0.42% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $92,230 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 87.89% Average age of principal farm operators: 56 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 13.69 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 1.58% Corn for grain: 14611 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 21906 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 20829 harvested acres
Tornado activity:
McPherson County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below South Dakota state average. It is 2074097.9 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 3 fatalities and 35 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 6/15/1978, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured 15 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
McPherson County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly below South Dakota state average. It is 70% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 8/18/1959 at 06:37:13, a magnitude 7.7 (7.7 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 561.7 miles away from McPherson County center, causing $26,000,000 total damage On 3/4/1983 at 06:32:18, a magnitude 4.6 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 4.4 ML, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 107.2 miles away from the county center On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB) earthquake occurred 155.2 miles away from the county center On 10/18/1984 at 15:30:23, a magnitude 5.5 (5.4 MB, 5.1 MS, 5.5 ML, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 390.5 miles away from the county center On 6/5/1993 at 01:24:53, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 143.0 miles away from McPherson County center On 9/8/1984 at 00:59:31, a magnitude 5.1 (5.1 MB) earthquake occurred 343.0 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS)
Most recent natural disasters:
South Dakota Flooding, Incident Period: March 10, 2010 to June 20, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1915: May 13, 2010, FEMA Id: 1915, Natural disaster type: Flood
South Dakota Severe Winter Storm, Incident Period: January 20, 2010 to January 26, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1887: March 10, 2010, FEMA Id: 1887, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
South Dakota Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: March 11, 2009 to July 06, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1844: June 16, 2009, FEMA Id: 1844, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
South Dakota Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: September 06, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3234: September 10, 2005, FEMA Id: 3234, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
South Dakota Severe Storms/Flooding, Incident Period: February 03, 1997 to May 24, 1997, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1173: April 07, 1997, FEMA Id: 1173, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
South Dakota Severe Winter Storms/Blizzards, Incident Period: January 03, 1997 to January 31, 1997, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1156: January 10, 1997, FEMA Id: 1156, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Blizzard
South Dakota Severe Storms, Flooding, Incident Period: March 01, 1995 to June 20, 1995, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1052: May 26, 1995, FEMA Id: 1052, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
South Dakota Severe Winter Storms, Incident Period: January 13, 1995 to February 10, 1995, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1045: March 14, 1995, FEMA Id: 1045, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
South Dakota Severe Storm, Flooding, Incident Period: March 01, 1994 to July 29, 1994, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1031: June 21, 1994, FEMA Id: 1031, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
South Dakota Flooding, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Incident Period: May 06, 1993 to September 10, 1993, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-999: July 19, 1993, FEMA Id: 999, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
2 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in McPherson County (12) is near the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 10 Emergencies Declared: 2
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 7, Storms: 5, Winter Storms: 3, Blizzard: 1, Drought: 1, Hurricane: 1, Tornado: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (6%)
Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (6%)
Education, training, and library occupations (6%)
Office and administrative support occupations (18%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (12%)
Management occupations (10%)
Education, training, and library occupations (10%)
Production occupations (8%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (8%)
Healthcare support occupations (8%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Canada (83%)
France (8%)
Germany (8%)
Most common first ancestries reported in McPherson County (%):
German (75%)
United States or American (6%)
Norwegian (4%)
English (3%)
Russian (3%)
Irish (2%)
Polish (1%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 646 (55%)
Carpooled: 127 (11%)
Motorcycle: 2 (0%)
Bicycle: 6 (1%)
Walked: 133 (11%)
Other means: 3 (0%)
Worked at home: 264 (22%)
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)
58 people in nursing homes
10 people in wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere
292 people in other noninstitutional facilities
55 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilitiesAverage gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $46,987.
5.49% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($32,646 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.49%
South Dakota average:
7.96%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
2.75% relocated from other counties in South Dakota ($15,313 average AGI)
2.75% relocated from other states ($17,354 average AGI)
McPherson County:
2.75%
South Dakota average:
3.76%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
7.50% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($35,313 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
7.50%
South Dakota average:
7.77%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
3.70% relocated to other counties in South Dakota ($21,985 average AGI)
3.81% relocated to other states ($13,328 average AGI)
McPherson County:
3.81%
South Dakota average:
3.55%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 10.1 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 9.0
Births per 1000 population in McPherson County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 14.0 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 14.7 Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 14.4
Deaths per 1000 population in McPherson County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 3.9
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in McPherson County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 15.4% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 9.3%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in McPherson County
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in McPherson County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 759 (717 aged, 42 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 66 (14%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Most common underlying causes of death in McPherson County, South Dakota in 1999 - 2014:
Atherosclerotic heart disease (103)
Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (78)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (39)
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (26)
Hypertensive heart disease with (congestive) heart failure (11)
Pancreas, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (10)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 12% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 14%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 36.51 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 6,535 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 219 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 9,639
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 688 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,643 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 38
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 37
Household type by relationship:
Households: 2,112
In family households: 1,696 (553 male householders, 79 female householders)
555 spouses, 451 children (418 natural, 7 adopted, 26 stepchildren), 16 grandchildren, 11 brothers or sisters, 10 parents, 7 other relatives, 12 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 416 (185 male householders (173 living alone)), 208 female householders (199 living alone)), 23 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 347 (55 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 412 2-persons, 102 3-persons, 57 4-persons, 36 5-persons, 19 6-persons, 6 7-or-more-persons.
Size of nonfamily households: 372 1-person, 20 2-persons, 1 4-persons.
595 married couples with children.
36 single-parent households (12 men, 24 women).
67.3% of residents of McPherson County speak English at home.
0.1% of residents speak Spanish at home (100% speak English very well).
32.7% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (55% speak English very well, 42% speak English well, 3% speak English not well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $25,288,000 ($9,233 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $237,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $5,420,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $3,653,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $9,130,000 Federal grants: $6,064,000 Federal procurement contracts: $182,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $838,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $1,010,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $1,258,000 Federal Government insurance: $21,069,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 134
Here:
51 per 1000 residents
State:
72 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 212
Here:
81 per 1000 residents
State:
48 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: 0
Here:
0 per 1000 residents
State:
+5 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -192
Here:
-73 per 1000 residents
State:
-1 per 1000 residents
Population growth in McPherson County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 0.03 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.1
State:
6.3
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.3
State:
4.1
Year house built
2014 or later: 5
2010 to 2013: 16
2000 to 2009: 88
1990 to 1999: 71
1980 to 1989: 96
1970 to 1979: 183
1960 to 1969: 131
1950 to 1959: 165
1940 to 1949: 106
1939 or earlier: 533
Note: State values scaled to McPherson population
Rooms in houses/apartments in McPherson County, South Dakota
Note: State values scaled to McPherson County population
no vehicle: 83
1 vehicle: 220
2 vehicles: 416
3 vehicles: 190
4 vehicles: 80
5+ vehicles: 32
no vehicle: 44
1 vehicle: 90
2 vehicles: 56
3 vehicles: 10
4 vehicles: 2
5+ vehicles: 4
74% of McPherson County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 54% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 63% lived in South Dakota.
McPherson County:
73.6%
State average:
56.2%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 2,325
Northeast: 23
Midwest: 391
South: 30
West: 79
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $9,999
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 2%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 5%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in McPherson County
Click here to upload your McPherson County photos (outside city limits)
50.0 years
36.0 years
(48.9%)
(51.1%)
, Adams County, North Dakota 
, Faulk County 
, McIntosh County, North Dakota 
, Hennepin County, Minnesota 
, Roberts County 
.
