Edmunds County

Key demographics — Edmunds County, South Dakota

• Population

  • 3,986 (2020 Census)
  • ~3,950 (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimate; population relatively stable)

• Age

  • Median age: ~47 years
  • Under 18: ~23%
  • 18–64: ~56%
  • 65 and over: ~21%

• Gender (sex at birth)

  • Male: ~50%
  • Female: ~50%

• Race and ethnicity (ACS 2019–2023)

  • White (alone): ~95–96%
  • American Indian/Alaska Native (alone): ~2%
  • Black (alone): <1%
  • Asian (alone): <1%
  • Two or more races: ~1–2%
  • Hispanic/Latino (any race): ~1–2%

• Households

  • ~1,750 households
  • Average household size: ~2.2 persons
  • Family households: ~64%
  • Households with children under 18: ~25–30%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census (population count); American Community Survey (ACS) 2019–2023 5-year estimates (age, sex, race/ethnicity, household characteristics). Estimates are subject to sampling error.

Edmunds County, SD — email usage snapshot (estimates)

• Population and density: ≈4,000 residents over ~1,150 sq mi (about 3–4 people per square mile; highly rural).
• Estimated email users: ~3,100–3,400 people (roughly 78–85% of residents; ~90%+ of adults).
• Age distribution of email users (approx share of users):
  • 13–17: 5–7%
  • 18–34: 18–22%
  • 35–64: 45–50%
  • 65+: 25–30% Adoption rates are highest for 18–64 (≈93–98%) and somewhat lower for 65+ (≈80–88%).
• Gender split: Near 50/50; email adoption is similar for men and women (differences typically within a few percentage points).
• Digital access trends:
  • Household broadband subscription likely around 78–82% (slightly below statewide averages due to rural mix).
  • 10–15% of adults may be “smartphone-only” internet users.
  • Fixed broadband and fiber are expanding via regional rural providers; some farms/ranches still depend on fixed wireless or satellite.
  • LTE/5G mobile coverage is common along main corridors (e.g., US‑12), with patchier service in remote areas.

Notes: Figures are derived by applying recent Pew/ACS statewide rural usage patterns to Edmunds County’s small, older-leaning population.

Below is a localized, data-informed snapshot of mobile phone usage in Edmunds County, South Dakota, with emphasis on how it differs from statewide patterns. Values are rounded estimates based on Census/ACS demographics, national tech-adoption surveys (Pew, NTIA), FCC coverage data trends, and rural telecom norms as of 2023–2024.

Quick county context

• Population: about 4,000 residents; older age profile than the state median.
• Major towns/corridors: Ipswich (county seat), Roscoe, Bowdle, Hosmer; US‑12 is the primary east–west corridor; SD‑45 and SD‑47 provide north–south links.
• Economy: agriculture-dominant, which shapes where and how mobile networks are used (fields, grain sites, machine sheds).

User estimates

• Adults with any mobile phone: roughly 2,900–3,100 (about 93–97% of adults). This is slightly below the statewide norm due to a larger senior share and patchy coverage between towns.
• Smartphone users: roughly 2,400–2,650 (about 78–85% of adults). This trails South Dakota’s overall rate (upper‑80s to ~90%) and reflects a higher prevalence of flip/basic phones among older residents and farmers who value long battery life and durability.
• Wireless‑only households (no landline): about 1,000–1,150 of ~1,650–1,800 households (≈58–65%). This is a bit lower than statewide because Edmunds has more seniors and a lingering base of rural telco/co‑op landlines and VoIP lines.
• Mobile hotspots/phone-as-hotspot use: above the state average for rural areas, especially during planting/harvest, where home fixed broadband is slow or unavailable and in-field connectivity is needed.

Demographic breakdown and usage patterns

• Age
  • 18–34: near‑universal smartphone ownership (≈95%+), heavy app/social/video use, but many rely on Wi‑Fi at home or in town to manage data caps.
  • 35–64: high smartphone ownership (≈85–90%) with strong work-related mobile use (coordination, telematics, precision ag, logistics).
  • 65+: notably lower smartphone adoption (≈65–72%); more basic/flip phones and voice/SMS reliance than the state average. Many seniors keep a landline.
• Income/affordability
  • Price sensitivity is meaningful; users emphasize coverage and reliability over premium speed tiers. With ACP subsidies curtailed in 2024, some low‑income and fixed‑income residents have shifted plans or reduced data.
• Rural/ag use cases
  • Higher-than-state reliance on: phone-as-hotspot, signal boosters, external antennas in pickups and farm shops; telematics for tractors/combine fleets using LTE Cat‑M/NB‑IoT where available.

Digital infrastructure and coverage

• Radio access
  • 4G LTE is the baseline in towns and along US‑12; between-town stretches and section roads can have weak to no service.
  • 5G is primarily low‑band. T‑Mobile’s Extended Range 5G generally blankets the corridor and towns; AT&T/Verizon low‑band 5G appears in/near towns and along highways. Mid‑band 5G (n41/C‑band) is limited or absent away from the Aberdeen area, so real‑world 5G speeds often resemble strong LTE.
  • Practical implication versus the state: Edmunds sees fewer mid‑band 5G “fast lanes” than metro corridors (Sioux Falls/Rapid City), so average mobile speeds lag the state average.
• Sites and backhaul
  • A sparse macrocell grid (on the order of single digits to low teens of sites countywide) focuses on towns, grain elevators, and highway junctions. This is less dense than state urban corridors, increasing the likelihood of dead zones off-corridor.
  • Backhaul is a mix of microwave and fiber. Fiber follows US‑12 and ties into regional networks near Aberdeen; co‑ops and independents provide pockets of fiber-to-premise that indirectly strengthen mobile backhaul where interconnects exist.
• Carriers and reliability
  • Coverage-driven carrier selection is stronger than brand/price considerations. Verizon and AT&T have been traditional rural picks for reliability and FirstNet support; T‑Mobile has improved markedly with 600 MHz 5G but still sees variability off-corridor.
  • First responders use AT&T/FirstNet where available; VHF/UHF public-safety radio remains critical in fringe areas.

How Edmunds County differs from statewide trends

• Adoption level: Slightly lower overall smartphone adoption and a higher share of basic/flip phones due to an older population and ag-driven preferences.
• Network experience: Coverage is more variable off highways, and mid‑band 5G capacity is scarcer than state metro averages. Typical speeds skew lower and are more sensitive to location.
• Household voice mix: Wireless‑only households are somewhat less prevalent than statewide because more seniors keep landlines and rural telco voice persists.
• Usage behaviors: Greater reliance on hotspots, boosters, and external antennas; more coverage-driven carrier choice; heavier seasonal spikes around farm operations; more conservative data usage (managing caps, scheduling large downloads on town Wi‑Fi).
• Device refresh cycles: Slower than state urban areas; 5G device penetration and upgrade cadence lag, especially among 65+ and farm operations that prioritize rugged devices.

Implications for planners and providers

• Filling between-town gaps with additional low‑band sites or small cells along farm-heavy corridors would yield outsized benefits.
• Promoting Wi‑Fi calling, outdoor CPE, and booster programs can mitigate dead zones.
• Mid‑band 5G (n41/C‑band) in Ipswich/Roscoe/Bowdle and along US‑12 would bring county performance closer to state norms.
• Outreach on affordable plans and post‑ACP options can help prevent digital regression among price‑sensitive households.

Below is a concise, planning-grade snapshot for Edmunds County, South Dakota. Figures are modeled from Pew Research Center’s 2023–2024 U.S. social media patterns, rural Midwest adjustments, and a local population of roughly 3,900 (about 3,300 residents aged 13+). Treat as estimates for outreach targeting, not official counts.

Headline user stats

• Active social media users (13+): ~2,300–2,500 (about 70–75% of residents 13+)
• Devices: Mobile-first; many rely on smartphones over home broadband
• Posting/usage peaks: Weeknights 7–9 pm and early mornings 6–8 am; weather/school/athletics cause sharp spikes

Age mix of social users (share of all social users)

• 13–17: ~8%
• 18–34: ~27%
• 35–54: ~35%
• 55–64: ~15%
• 65+: ~15%

Gender breakdown (of social users)

• Women ~53%
• Men ~47%
• Small/unknown share nonbinary/not stated

Most-used platforms (approx. monthly reach among residents 13+)

• YouTube: ~70%
• Facebook: ~60%
• Facebook Messenger: ~50–55%
• Instagram: ~32%
• Snapchat: ~27%
• TikTok: ~25%
• Pinterest: ~24%
• X (Twitter): ~10%
• LinkedIn: ~9%
• Reddit: ~6%
• WhatsApp: ~6%
• Nextdoor: ~3% (limited neighborhood coverage)

By life stage (most-used)

• Teens (13–17): Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok; Instagram secondary
• 18–34: YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat/TikTok; Facebook used for local groups/events
• 35–54: Facebook, YouTube; Instagram/Pinterest secondary
• 55+: Facebook, YouTube; some Pinterest; minimal TikTok/Snapchat

Behavioral trends to know

• Local-first engagement: High interaction on school sports, county/road and weather updates, fairs, church and community events, buy/sell/trade groups
• Groups drive reach: Facebook Groups and Pages (schools, EMS, county offices, boosters, 4-H) are major traffic hubs; shares/word-of-mouth outperform hashtags
• Short video growth: Under-35s increasingly consume Reels/Shorts/TikTok; creation still limited but rising for events and how-tos
• Practical content wins: Clear photos of local people, timely announcements, phone numbers, and hours outperform polished brand creative
• Messaging > public comments: Coordination happens in Messenger/Snap DMs; include tap-to-call or message CTAs
• Interest clusters: Ag, hunting/fishing, youth activities, local businesses/services, home/DIY, recipes; Pinterest strong with women 25–54; YouTube strong with men 25–64 for how-to and equipment content
• Ads and targeting: Best results within ~15–25 miles; evening delivery; emphasize immediate value (today/tomorrow offers, closures, ticket info)

Notes and caveats

• Estimates reflect rural SD usage patterns applied to Edmunds County’s size and age mix; expect ±5–10 percentage points by platform.