Bennett County Public RecordsSouth Dakota

Bennett County, SD, is served primarily by the Bennett County School District, with 1 high school (Bennett County High School) and about 3 public schools total. As of 2023, around 78% of adults hold a high school diploma, while 11% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The district enrolls roughly 600 students. Average test scores are below the state median, with school safety rated average by state metrics. Educational programs include culturally responsive Native American initiatives and career readiness courses, supporting a diverse student body. Adult education opportunities are limited locally.

As of 2022, Bennett County, SD, had an employment rate of 55.2%. The largest industries are Health Care & Social Assistance (22.6%), Educational Services (19.2%), and Public Administration (11.6%). Common occupations include Office & Administrative Support (16.6%) and Management (11.4%). The average commute time is 16.3 minutes, with 74.5% of workers driving alone, and most employed residents work within the county itself.

Bennett County, SD, features a homeownership rate of roughly 55%, with median home values around $89,000 and median gross rents near $600 per month. The housing market is mostly comprised of single-family homes and mobile homes, with some small apartments. Property values have remained relatively stable, seeing slight increases over the past five years. Key neighborhoods include Martin and Allen. Property taxes are moderate, averaging 1.3% of a home's value, resulting in annual payments of about $1,150 on a median-priced property. Rental and vacant homes comprise about 45% of the housing stock.

As of the 2020 Census, Bennett County, South Dakota, had a population of approximately 3,381. The median age was about 33.5 years. Gender distribution was roughly equal, with 50.6% male and 49.4% female. Racially, 57% identified as Native American, 36.2% White, and the rest as other or mixed races. Hispanic or Latino residents made up around 3.6% of the population.

Bennett County, SD, reports relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. In 2022, there were approximately 35 reported crimes, including 5 violent incidents and 30 property crimes. The violent crime rate stands at about 2.6 per 1,000 residents, while property crime is 15.7 per 1,000. Local law enforcement actively reports incidents to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program, aiding transparency and public safety efforts. Compared to state averages, Bennett County maintains a moderate safety rating, though rural challenges impact response times. Overall, residents experience a generally safe community with occasional isolated incidents.

Bennett County, South Dakota, had about 2,000 registered voters in 2022, with Republicans comprising 52%, Democrats 34%, and Independents/others 14%. Elections include primary, general, and special elections for local and national offices. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump received 62% of county votes, Joe Biden 36%. Key polling locations are the Courthouse and local schools. Issues include Native American representation and rural access to polling. The Bennett County Auditor’s Office administers elections following state guidelines, with oversight from bipartisan county election boards. Voter turnout in general elections averages 58%.