County population in 2016: 10,468 (all rural); it was 10,016 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 1,175 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 1,457 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 2,538 Renter-occupied apartments: 1,191 (it was 1,145 in 2000)
% of renters here:
31%
State:
32%
Land area: 1101 sq. mi.
Water area: 34.1 sq. mi.
Population density: 10 people per square mile (low).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Roberts County: 77.5 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2016: $1,354 (1.1%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2016: $1,211 (1.3%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2016: 19.4%
Roberts County:
19.4%
South Dakota:
13.3%
(7.2% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 39.0% for Black residents, 30.2% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 38.5% for American Indian residents, 51.4% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2016: 38.6 years old
(Males: 38.3 years old, Females: 39.1 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 51.2 years old, Black residents: 20.7 years old, American Indian residents: 24.6 years old, Asian residents: 64.1 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 14.9 years old, Other race residents: 64.9 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Roberts 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 Roberts County: Sjovall Feed Yard (A), Docter Feedlot (B), Sunset Farmers Co-op Colony (C), Sunset Fire Department (D). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Roberts County include: Mountain Head Church (A), Zion Church (B), Palestina Church (C), Pleasant Valley Church (D), Saint Luke Church (E), Saint Matthew Church (F), Buffalo Lake Church (G), Trondhjem Church (H), Highlanda Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Rose Hill Cemetery (1), Amherst Cemetery (2), Trondhjem Cemetery (3), Britton Cemetery (4), Hillside Cemetery (5), Free Mission Cemetery (6), Saint Peter Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Dollar Lake (A), Lake Martha (B), Josephine Lake (C), Dumarce Lake (D), East Slough (E), Lake Emma (F), South Red Iron Lake (G), Lost Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Roberts County include: Sieche Hollow State Park (1), White Lake State Game Refuge (2), Roy Lake State Park Number 1 (3), Roy Lake State Park Number 2 (4), Fort Sisseton State Park (5). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 210 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 86.2% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 16.9%
Number of foreign born residents: 98 (30.4% naturalized citizens)
Roberts County:
0.9%
Whole state:
3.6%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
2010 or later: 32
2000 to 2009: 32
1990 to 1999: 3
1980 to 1989: 29
1970 to 1979: 11
Before 1970: 13
Note: State values scaled to Roberts County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 16.5 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 73.0%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 4,182
One, attached: 15
Two: 49
3 or 4: 63
5 to 9: 77
10 to 19: 83
20 to 49: 110
50 or more: 11
Mobile homes: 414
Housing units in Roberts County with a mortgage: 949 (7 second mortgage, 61 home equity loan, 0 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 1,595
Here:
99.9% with mortgage
State:
56.2% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Roberts County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Mainline Protestant
3,276
17
Catholic
1,575
5
Evangelical Protestant
1,189
14
Other
163
2
None
3,946
-
Roberts 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: 7
Roberts County:
7.11 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.84 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 5
Roberts County:
5.08 / 10,000 pop.
South Dakota:
6.68 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 12
This county:
12.18 / 10,000 pop.
State:
9.21 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Roberts County:
9.6%
South Dakota:
7.7%
Adult obesity rate:
Roberts County:
30.9%
State:
27.7%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
18.6%
State:
14.9%
Agriculture in Roberts County:
Average size of farms: 633 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $94,021 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $154.61 The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 35.95% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $74,248 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 61.49% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 1.14% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $84,690 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 90.71% Average age of principal farm operators: 55 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 9.31 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 4.20% Corn for grain: 67774 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 71431 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 150311 harvested acres Vegetables: 4 harvested acres
Tornado activity:
Roberts County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below South Dakota state average. It is 8031578.1 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 2 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 6/9/1968, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured one person and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Roberts County-area historical earthquake activity is below South Dakota state average. It is 80% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 44.0 miles away from Roberts County center On 6/5/1993 at 01:24:53, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 31.9 miles away from the county center On 3/4/1983 at 06:32:18, a magnitude 4.6 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 4.4 ML) earthquake occurred 155.0 miles away from the county center On 8/18/1959 at 06:37:13, a magnitude 7.7 (7.7 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 672.4 miles away from the county center, causing $26,000,000 total damage On 10/20/1995 at 15:57:18, a magnitude 3.7 (3.7 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 12.1 miles away from Roberts County center On 11/3/2002 at 20:41:56, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB, 4.3 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 219.9 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML)
Most recent natural disasters:
South Dakota Flooding, Incident Period: March 11, 2011 to July 22, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1984: May 13, 2011, FEMA Id: 1984, Natural disaster type: Flood
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 Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: May 04, 2007 to June 08, 2007, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1702: May 22, 2007, FEMA Id: 1702, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
South Dakota Severe Winter Storm, Incident Period: November 27, 2005 to November 29, 2005, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1620: December 20, 2005, FEMA Id: 1620, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
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, Incident Period: March 01, 2001 to April 30, 2001, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1375: May 17, 2001, FEMA Id: 1375, Natural disaster type: Storm
South Dakota Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes, Incident Period: April 25, 1998 to June 22, 1998, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1218: June 01, 1998, FEMA Id: 1218, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
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
7 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Roberts County (17) is greater than the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 15 Emergencies Declared: 2
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 10, Storms: 9, Tornadoes: 3, Winter Storms: 3, Blizzard: 1, Drought: 1, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (6%)
Office and administrative support occupations (18%)
Management occupations (11%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (11%)
Education, training, and library occupations (10%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (8%)
Personal care and service occupations (6%)
Sales and related occupations (5%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Mexico (37%)
Somalia (26%)
Canada (14%)
Netherlands (9%)
Denmark (6%)
Philippines (4%)
Ireland (0%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Roberts County (%):
German (20%)
Norwegian (9%)
American (4%)
Scandinavian (2%)
Swedish (2%)
Irish (1%)
English (1%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 3,116 (75.1%)
Carpooled: 427 (10.3%)
Bus or trolley bus: 21 (0.5%)
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 19 (0.5%)
Walked: 263 (6.3%)
Worked at home: 305 (7.4%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)
People in group quarters in Roberts County, South Dakota in 2000:
98 people in nursing homes
47 people in other group homes
35 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
25 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
8 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse
People in group quarters in Roberts County, South Dakota in 2010:
130 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
99 people in other noninstitutional facilities
30 people in correctional facilities intended for juveniles
12 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
10 people in residential treatment centers for adults
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $45,476.
5.05% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($34,325 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.05%
South Dakota average:
7.96%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
2.30% relocated from other counties in South Dakota ($15,890 average AGI)
2.75% relocated from other states ($18,435 average AGI)
Roberts 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:
4.80% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($31,884 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
4.80%
South Dakota average:
7.77%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
2.55% relocated to other counties in South Dakota ($15,757 average AGI)
2.26% relocated to other states ($16,127 average AGI)
Roberts County:
2.26%
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: 16.0 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 15.3
Births per 1000 population in Roberts County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.3 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.6 Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 11.2
Deaths per 1000 population in Roberts County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 11.5 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 5.9
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Roberts County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 17.5% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 10.0%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Roberts County
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Roberts County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 1,782 (1,596 aged, 186 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 264 (10%)
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 Roberts County, South Dakota in 1999 - 2014:
Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (202)
Atherosclerotic heart disease (122)
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (100)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (79)
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, so described (66)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 19% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 17%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 19.89 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 6,842 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 378 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 67,273
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,563 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,424 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 40
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 10 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 80
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 10
Household type by relationship:
Households: 10,468
In family households: 8,632 (1,265 male householders, 1,111 female householders)
1,635 spouses, 3,346 children (3,098 natural, 41 adopted, 200 stepchildren), 529 grandchildren, 202 brothers or sisters, 153 parents, 194 other relatives, 268 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 1,562 (728 male householders (623 living alone)), 599 female householders (553 living alone)), 232 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 268
Size of family households: 1,181 2-persons, 379 3-persons, 384 4-persons, 250 5-persons, 96 6-persons, 78 7-or-more-persons.
1,318 married couples with children.
1,031 single-parent households (389 men, 642 women).
96.7% of residents of Roberts speak English at home.
0.8% of residents speak Spanish at home (69% speak English very well, 3% speak English not well, 29% don't speak English at all).
0.6% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (100% speak English very well).
0.1% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (44% speak English very well, 56% speak English well).
1.9% of residents speak other language at home (69% speak English very well, 31% speak English well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $97,893,000 ($9,735 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $3,724,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $22,972,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $11,806,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $15,458,000 Federal grants: $32,940,000 Federal procurement contracts: $5,724,000 ($1,000,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $8,993,000 ($2,326,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $635,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $1,258,000 Federal Government insurance: $58,305,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 767
Here:
76 per 1000 residents
State:
72 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 623
Here:
62 per 1000 residents
State:
48 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +4
Here:
+0 per 1000 residents
State:
+5 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -102
Here:
-10 per 1000 residents
State:
-1 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Roberts County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 0.48 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.9
State:
6.9
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
5.1
State:
4.2
Year house built
2014 or later: 95
2010 to 2013: 179
2000 to 2009: 525
1990 to 1999: 370
1980 to 1989: 457
1970 to 1979: 767
1960 to 1969: 438
1950 to 1959: 563
1940 to 1949: 294
1939 or earlier: 1,335
Note: State values scaled to Roberts population
Rooms in houses/apartments in Roberts County, South Dakota
Note: State values scaled to Roberts County population
no vehicle: 48
1 vehicle: 467
2 vehicles: 1,031
3 vehicles: 534
4 vehicles: 272
5+ vehicles: 191
no vehicle: 177
1 vehicle: 539
2 vehicles: 302
3 vehicles: 106
4 vehicles: 29
5+ vehicles: 9
87% of Roberts County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 35% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 50% lived in South Dakota.
Roberts County:
86.8%
State average:
84.4%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 7,051
Other state: 3,237
Northeast: 55
Midwest: 2,542
South: 236
West: 378
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Roberts County
Click here to upload your Roberts County photos (outside city limits)
38.6 years
36.8 years
(50.2%)
(49.8%)
, Brown County 
, McPherson County 
