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The Commemorative Quarter for South Dakota

The 2000 Census showed that Meade County had a population of 24,253 people. This represented 3.21% of the total population of South Dakota, making it the state's 6th most populous county (out of 66 counties).

From the Census Estimates for 2009<1>, Meade had a population of 23,916 people. This is a decrease of 1.39% since the 2000 Census.

The following table shows the recent changes in population. Other than 2000, the population counts have been estimated by the Census Bureau.

YearPopulationChange
Since 2000		Year-to-Year Change
201025,434+4.87%+6.35% since 2009
200923,916-1.39%+0.27% since 2008
200823,852-1.65%-0.96% since 2007
200724,082-0.71%-0.88% since 2006
200624,295+0.17%-0.78% since 2005
200524,487+0.96%-0.51% since 2004
200424,613+1.48%+0.95% since 2003
200324,382+0.53%-0.09% since 2002
200224,404+0.62%+0.83% since 2001
200124,203-0.21%-0.21% since 2000
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200024,253The Last Census

Meade County had 10,149 Housing Units<2> at the time of the 2000 Census.

The 2000 Census shows that Meade County has a total area<3> of 3,482 square miles [9,019 km²]. Of this total, only a minor amount of that area is covered by water (11.82 square miles [30.62 km²]).

Using the above population and land area values, Meade County had a population density of 6.99 people per square mile [2.7 people/km²], making it the state's 29th most densely populated county (out of 66 counties).

US Census QuickFacts

The Census Bureau has created documents containing demographic information that are called QuickFacts. A QuickFact that is specific to Meade County is available. The QuickFact also contains a comparison between Meade and the state of South Dakota.

Click here for the Meade County QuickFact (QF-46093).

Below are some of the communities that are located in Meade County:

CommunityCensus
QuickFact		Population
(2009 Est)		Population
(2000 Census)		Change in
  Population
Southwest MeadeQF-46599659,94810,871-8.49%
SturgisQF-46621005,9816,442-7.16%
Belle Fourche-Cheyenne ValleysQF-46044005,4675,860-6.71%

Below are the counties that adjoin and form the boundaries of Meade County. A link to their specific Census QuickFact has been provided.

CountyCensus
QuickFact		DirectionPopulation
(2009 Est.)		Population
(2000 Census)		Change in
Population
ButteQF-46019   NW9,5779,0945.31%
HaakonQF-46055   E1,7772,196-19.08%
LawrenceQF-46081   W23,49821,8027.78%
PenningtonQF-46103   S100,85088,56513.87%
ZiebachQF-46137   NE2,5522,5191.31%

Other Roadside Stops ...

About South Dakota

Communities in South Dakota

Off-the-Road Links ...

U.S. Census Bureau
Census QuickFact for Meade County

Footnotes ...

<1>On a yearly basis, the US Census Bureau creates an estimate of the county's population. Keep in mind that this is an estimate and not an actual count. The last physical count was the 2000 Census and the next count will be for the 2010 Census.

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<2>A Housing Unit is a broad term for those places where people live (whether occupied or temporarily vacant), such as a house, an apartment, a mobile home, or an area that is considered as a separate living quarter. Separate living quarters (consisting of one or more rooms) are considered to be those places where people live, sleep and eat separately from others and that have access to the outside (either directly or by a shared hallway).

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<3>The area value has been supplied by the US Census Bureau and it can be different than the geographic boundaries of Meade. The value given by the Census Bureau reflects their statistical (or sampling) requirements.

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<4>All Quarter-dollar coin images from the United States Mint.

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