State hub

South Dakota State Hub

U.S. Senate and House delegation, state governor, Census demographic snapshot (income, poverty, diversity, tax burden rank), presidential voting history, and links to live coverage, notable races, and the national map.

Key links for South Dakota

All state demographics Live election results Notable races State of the Nation map Election FAQ

Census demographic snapshot

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2022 5-year (B01003, B19013, B01001, B03003, B03002; DP03 selected social characteristics); change vs ACS 2017 5-year population (B01003).

Population

890,342

Rank 46 of 51 · 1 = largest population

ACS 5-year total

Population density

11.7 people/sq mi

Rank 47 of 51 · 1 = densest

ACS population ÷ Census land area (square miles)

Pop. change (17→22)

+4.1%

Rank 17 of 51 · 1 = fastest growth

ACS total population comparison

Female / male

49.3% / 50.7%

Share of total population

Median household income

$69,457

Rank 33 of 51 · 1 = highest median income

Below poverty

12.3%

Rank 28 of 51 · 1 = lowest poverty rate

ACS profile, all people

Hispanic or Latino

4.4%

Any race

White (NH)

80.6%

Not Hispanic or Latino

Black (NH)

2.2%

Asian (NH)

1.4%

AIAN (NH)

7.6%

American Indian & Alaska Native alone

Two+ races (NH)

3.5%

Census metric ranks compare all jurisdictions in this snapshot (typically 50 states plus D.C.). Race and ethnicity categories follow Census definitions (e.g., Hispanic origin is asked separately from race). Percentages are shares of total population and may not sum to 100% because of rounding or other groups. State–local tax burden is not a Census figure; see the Tax Foundation link below for 50-state + D.C. rankings (1 = lowest aggregate burden).

Sources:American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2022)American Community Survey 5-Year Data (2017) — population baseline for change data.census.gov tables Tax Foundation (state-local tax burden, 2022)

Why this state votes this way

Demographics and long-run trends that commonly shape coverage and turnout narratives.

South Dakota's Census profile summarizes population scale, sex composition, race and Hispanic origin, and household income—baseline conditions analysts pair with polling and election returns when they discuss coalitions and regional turnout.

What often shows up in coverage

Solid population growth (near 4.1% over 2017–2022) usually enlarges the universe of persuadable and newly registered voters, especially around expanding metros.
Demographic profile at a glance: White, non-Hispanic residents are about 80.6% of the population in this ACS snapshot, a baseline often used to frame coalition math and statewide messaging priorities.

These indicators are descriptive context for understanding electoral environments—they do not predict vote shares, winners, or partisan realignment.

Presidential voting history

How South Dakota has voted in two-party presidential general elections on this site: Democratic and Republican nominees with vote shares, and approximate two-party margin (who carried the state follows from the margin).

Context & notes

Northern Plains Republican stronghold with small cities and vast rural areas that anchor presidential margins.

Agriculture and tribal politics occasionally appear in national stories about turnout and issues.

Results by year

2024

Democratic

Kamala Harris34.24%

Republican

Donald Trump63.43%

Two-party margin

R+29.2

2020

Democratic

Joe Biden35.61%

Republican

Donald Trump61.77%

Two-party margin

R+26.2

2016

Democratic

Hillary Clinton31.74%

Republican

Donald Trump61.53%

Two-party margin

R+29.8

2012

Democratic

Barack Obama39.87%

Republican

Mitt Romney57.89%

Two-party margin

R+18.0

2008

Democratic

Barack Obama44.75%

Republican

John McCain53.16%

Two-party margin

R+8.4

2004

Democratic

John Kerry38.44%

Republican

George W. Bush59.91%

Two-party margin

R+21.5

2000

Democratic

Al Gore37.56%

Republican

George W. Bush60.30%

Two-party margin

R+22.7

1996

Democratic

Bill Clinton43.03%

Republican

Bob Dole46.49%

Two-party margin

R+3.5

1992

Democratic

Bill Clinton37.14%

Republican

George H. W. Bush40.66%

Two-party margin

R+3.5

1988

Democratic

Michael Dukakis46.51%

Republican

George H. W. Bush52.85%

Two-party margin

R+6.3

1984

Democratic

Walter Mondale36.53%

Republican

Ronald Reagan63.00%

Two-party margin

R+26.5

1980

Democratic

Jimmy Carter31.69%

Republican

Ronald Reagan60.53%

Two-party margin

R+28.8

Presidential nominees, vote shares, and two-party margins in South Dakota by year
Year	Democratic	Republican	Two-party margin
2024	Kamala Harris34.24%	Donald Trump63.43%	R+29.2
2020	Joe Biden35.61%	Donald Trump61.77%	R+26.2
2016	Hillary Clinton31.74%	Donald Trump61.53%	R+29.8
2012	Barack Obama39.87%	Mitt Romney57.89%	R+18.0
2008	Barack Obama44.75%	John McCain53.16%	R+8.4
2004	John Kerry38.44%	George W. Bush59.91%	R+21.5
2000	Al Gore37.56%	George W. Bush60.30%	R+22.7
1996	Bill Clinton43.03%	Bob Dole46.49%	R+3.5
1992	Bill Clinton37.14%	George H. W. Bush40.66%	R+3.5
1988	Michael Dukakis46.51%	George H. W. Bush52.85%	R+6.3
1984	Walter Mondale36.53%	Ronald Reagan63.00%	R+26.5
1980	Jimmy Carter31.69%	Ronald Reagan60.53%	R+28.8

Percentages are major-party shares from this site's state data. Margins use those shares; third-party votes can make totals differ from the national popular vote. This is historical context, not a forecast.

2024 presidential map (State of the Nation)

Notable races involving South Dakota

No seeded race cards are available for South Dakota yet. Check back as coverage expands.

U.S. Congress (South Dakota)

119th Congress

U.S. Senate

Caucus split

0D:2R

John ThuneR
Senior senator
John Randolph Thune is an American politician from South Dakota who has served in the United States Senate since 2005.
Mike RoundsR
Junior senator
Marion Michael Rounds is an American businessman and politician serving as the junior United States senator from South Dakota since 2015.

U.S. House delegation

Post-2024 election delegation totals (Wikipedia / Ballotpedia–style snapshot for the 119th Congress).

Seat split

0D:1R

Governor

Chief executive of South Dakota's state government (separate from the U.S. Congress above).

Larry RhodenR

Governor

Larry Robert Rhoden is an American politician and businessman serving since 2025 as the 34th governor of South Dakota.