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Hughes County, SD
4 cities and towns and 2 ZIP codes in Hughes County, South Dakota.
Population
17,664
Land area
742sq mi
People per sq mi
24
ZIP codes
2
Cities and towns in Hughes County
Hughes County at a glance
- Hughes County is 99% denser than South Dakota as a whole.
- It is the 12th most populous of 66 counties in South Dakota.
- Households here earn a median of $81,395 a year, 8% more than the South Dakota figure of $75,081.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $242,000 (6% below South Dakota) and median rent is $990 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Pierre (13,948), Oahe Acres (399) and Blunt (216).
Local data for Hughes County, SD
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Hughes County, SD, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$81,395
Poverty rate
9.2%
Median home value
$242,000
Prices +5.7% in a year
Median rent
$990/mo
Homeownership
72.0%
Bachelor's or higher
39.0%
Median age
39.5
Average commute
14.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (6,270), Irish Americans (2,211), Norwegian Americans (2,077).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
1.7%
Aug 2026, -0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$64,159
10,733 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$74,747
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$377M
FY 2026, $21,241 per person
PPP loans
$3.22M
156 loans, 239 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$12.87K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Hughes County, SD, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.1%
- Carpooled11.3%
- Public transit1.0%
- Walked3.2%
- Bicycle0.2%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.4%
- Worked from home4.7%
Average one-way commute: 14.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Hughes County, SD, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: wildfire
Storm events since 1996
672
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
33
0.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 3°F
18.6 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone27 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Hughes County, SD, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
34.0%
U.S. 33.3% +0.7 pts
Diabetes
10.8%
U.S. 12.1% -1.3 pts
Smoking
13.7%
U.S. 12.8% +0.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
7.3%
U.S. 11.1% -3.8 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Hughes County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Hughes County, SD?
- Pierre is the largest city or town in Hughes County, with about 13,948 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Hughes County?
- Hughes County includes 2 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 57522, 57536.
- What is the population of Hughes County, SD?
- About 17,664 people live in Hughes County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Hughes County?
- Hughes County borders Lyman County, Stanley County, Sully County, Hyde County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023