Beadle County, South Dakota

• Bob Roe Memorial State Game Production Area
• Brecken Slough State Game Production Area
• Cavour Lake State Game Production Area
• James River School State game Production Area
• Lake Byron Hogsback State Game Production Area
• Mallard Slough State Game Production Area
• Mud Lake State Game Production Area
• North Byron State Game Production Area
• Norwegian/Borden State Game Production Area
• Pheasant Country State Game Production Area
• Sand Creek State Game Production Area
• South Byron State Game Production Area
• South James River State Game Production Area
• Staum Dam State Game Production Area
• Third Street Dam State Game Production Area
• Upper Cain Creek State Game Production Area

As of the 2000 United States Census,[13] there were 17,023 people, 7,210 households, and 4,535 families in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 8,206 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.93% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 49.9% were of German, 11.7% Norwegian, 6.1% Irish, 5.8% English and 5.5% United States or American ancestry.

There were 7,210 households, out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.10% were non-families. 33.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.94.

The county population contained 24.70% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 19.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,510, and the median income for a family was $40,596. Males had a median income of $26,910 versus $19,785 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,832. About 7.90% of families and 11.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,398 people, 7,276 households, and 4,509 families residing in the county.[14] The population density was 13.8 inhabitants per square mile (5.3/km²). There were 8,304 housing units at an average density of 6.6 per square mile (2.5/km²).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 89.7% white, 3.6% Asian, 1.1% American Indian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.7% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 45.4% were German, 11.7% were Norwegian, 10.3% were Irish, 8.8% were English, and 4.1% were American.[16]

Of the 7,276 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.0% were non-families, and 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 41.2 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,716 and the median income for a family was $56,288. Males had a median income of $37,020 versus $25,824 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,409. About 6.3% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.[17]

• Huron (county seat)
• Wolsey
• Iroquois (partial)
• Wessington (partial)

• Morningside

• Huron Colony[18]