Education, Employment and Housing
Yankton County, SD, has 12 public schools, including Yankton High School, with a graduation rate of 89% and average test scores above the state median. About 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Schools maintain a low student-to-teacher ratio of 14:1, and safety measures are robust, with incident rates below 2%. Educational programs include Advanced Placement and dual-credit college courses. Adult education is supported by institutions like Mount Marty University and local technical programs, enhancing lifelong learning opportunities.
As of 2022, Yankton County, SD, had an employment rate of 64.7%. Leading industries include Health Care & Social Assistance (20.3%), Manufacturing (17.6%), and Retail Trade (10.2%). The most common occupation types are Production (15.7%), Office & Administrative Support (13.8%), and Management (11.1%). About 81% of residents work within the county, with a mean commute time of 15.3 minutes. Major employment centers are the city of Yankton and nearby industries, contributing to the county's stable job market.
Yankton County, SD, features a homeownership rate of around 67%, with the median home value at approximately $187,000 in 2023. Median gross rent is about $820 monthly. The housing market shows modest growth, with median values rising 4% year-over-year. Single-family homes dominate, while apartments and mobile homes offer rental options. Popular neighborhoods include Yankton and Mission Hill. Property taxes average 1.25% of assessed value, equaling about $2,340 annually for a median-priced home. The area combines affordable housing, diverse types, and stable market trends.
County Crime & Safety
Yankton County, SD, reported a crime rate of 23.8 per 1,000 residents in 2023, lower than the national average. Violent crimes accounted for 2.5 per 1,000, while property crimes stood at 21.3 per 1,000. The area has seen a modest 4% decline in overall crime rates year-over-year. The Yankton County Sheriff’s Office and local police provide detailed public crime reports, enabling effective community awareness and involvement in safety initiatives. Overall, Yankton County remains a relatively safe community compared to broader state and national statistics.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Yankton County, South Dakota, had a population of approximately 23,310. The median age was 41 years. About 50.2% of residents were female and 49.8% male. The racial composition was 89.8% White, 4.5% Native American, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.9% Asian, and 3.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The county's diverse age and racial makeup reflect evolving community dynamics.
Elections
Yankton County, SD, had approximately 14,100 registered voters in 2022. Its elections include federal, state, county, and municipal races, plus ballot measures. In the 2020 presidential election, about 58% voted Republican and 39% Democrat. Polling locations include Yankton High School and Gayville Community Center. Common issues are property taxes and infrastructure. The county auditor’s office oversees election administration. Major parties are Republican and Democratic, with about 51% registered Republican, 23% Democrat, and 25% Independent/Other. Turnout typically exceeds 60% in major elections.
Popular names
- Amanda Johnson
- Harold Cooper
- Jeffrey Wilson
- Jeffrey Wolf
- Mary Johnson
- Angelica Hubbell
- Anthony Jensen
- Darwin Koerner
- Deanna Jones
- Harold Cox
- Jeffrey Winter
- Jeffrey Wolfe
- John Anderson
- Lisa Davis
- Loretta Hamilton
- Loretta Harris
- Michael Miller
- Mirrisa Retzlaff
- Robert Gehm
- Robert Smith
- William Schaefer
- Alfred Souhrada
- Amber Highland
- Amber Johnson
- Amber Peard
- Amy Anderson
- Ashley Howard
- Beth Wubben
- Brittney Guthmiller
- Carl Livingston
- Carol Becker
- Damian Janssen
- David Wurtz
- Elizabeth Hunhoff
- Gary Ginsbach
- Geraldine Hochstein
- Harold Conrad
- Harold Cook
- Jeffrey Witt
- Jennifer Langeland
- Jerod Slaba
- John Benson
- John Johnson
- Kayla Goolsby
- Kristi Burks
- Larry Larson
- Loretta Graham
- Maria Robinson
- Mary Green
- Michael Johnson
- Michelle Wynia
- Page Williams
- Phyllis Christiansen
- Preston Olson
- Rebecca Johnson
- Rex Rogers
- Richard Smith
- Robert Adams
- Rodney Grate
- Ryan Olson
Other Counties in South Dakota
- Aurora
- Beadle
- Bennett
- Bon Homme
- Brookings
- Brown
- Brule
- Buffalo
- Butte
- Campbell
- Charles Mix
- Clark
- Clay
- Codington
- Corson
- Custer
- Davison
- Day
- Deuel
- Dewey
- Douglas
- Edmunds
- Fall River
- Faulk
- Grant
- Gregory
- Haakon
- Hamlin
- Hand
- Hanson
- Harding
- Hughes
- Hutchinson
- Hyde
- Jackson
- Jerauld
- Jones
- Kingsbury
- Lake
- Lawrence
- Lincoln
- Lyman
- Marshall
- Mccook
- Mcpherson
- Meade
- Mellette
- Miner
- Minnehaha
- Moody
- Pennington