| County: | Hamlin County |
| State: | South Dakota |
| Founded Year: | 1873 (created) 1878 (organized) |
| Seat Wl: | Hayti |
| Largest City Wl: | Estelline |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 538 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 507 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 31 |
| Area Percentage: | 5.7 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 6164 |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2023 |
| Population Est: | 6451 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | auto |
| Time Zone: | Central |
| Ex Image: | Hamlin County Courthouse Hayti.jpg |
| Ex Image Cap: | Hamlin County Courthouse in Hayti in 1974 |
| District: | At-large |
Hamlin County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,164.[1] Its county seat is Hayti.[2] The county was created in 1873 and organized in 1878.[3] It was named for Hannibal Hamlin, Lincoln's first vice-president.[4]
The terrain of Hamlin County consists of low rolling hills, dotted with small lakes and ponds. The land is largely dedicated to agriculture.[5] The terrain slopes to the south-southeast, and its highest point is on the eastern boundary line, near its NE corner, at 1949feet ASL.[6]
Hamlin County has a total area of, of which is land and (5.7%) is water.[7]
Source:[5]
Source:[5]
As of the 2020 census, there were 6,164 people, 2,155 households, and 1,513 families residing in the county.[8] The population density was . There were 2,759 housing units.
As of the 2010 census, there were 5,903 people, 2,108 households, and 1,483 families in the county. The population density was . There were 2,760 housing units at an average density of 5.4/mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.7% white, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 42.3% were German, 24.0% were Norwegian, 7.0% were English, 6.1% were Irish, 5.4% were Dutch, and 5.3% were American.
Of the 2,108 households, 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.6% were non-families, and 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.28. The median age was 36.8 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,439 and the median income for a family was $54,483. Males had a median income of $36,921 versus $24,645 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,558. About 4.9% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
Source:[5]
Hamlin County voters have usually voted Republican. In only one national election since 1932 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.