Gregory County

Gregory County, South Dakota – Key Demographics (latest available data):

• Population Size: Approximately 3,994 (2022 estimate)
• Age:
  • Median age: 46.7 years
  • Under 18: ~21%
  • 65 and over: ~27%
• Gender:
  • Male: 50.5%
  • Female: 49.5%
• Racial/Ethnic Composition:
  • White: 81.4%
  • American Indian & Alaska Native: 15.4%
  • Two or more races: 2.1%
  • Hispanic or Latino (any race): 1.9%
  • Other races: <1%
• Household Data:
  • Total households: 1,828
  • Average household size: 2.13
  • Family households: ~1,163
  • Non-family households: ~36%
  • Owner-occupied housing rate: 78.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.

Email usage in Gregory County, SD, reflects rural digital engagement patterns. Approximately 67% of adults are estimated to use email regularly, translating to about 2,400 users out of a 2023 population of roughly 3,600. Usage is most prevalent among adults aged 25-64, representing over 70% of users; seniors (65+) account for 18%, and younger residents (under 25) about 12%. The gender split among email users closely mirrors the county’s demographics, with women slightly leading at 51% compared to 49% men.

Digital access is shaped by connectivity challenges: only about 69% of households have reliable high-speed internet, below state averages. Broadband infrastructure remains limited, with the county averaging 8.7 people per square mile, leading to dispersed service. While mobile internet helps bridge some gaps, data limits and spotty coverage persist. Efforts to expand rural broadband aim to boost email and digital adoption further. Overall, email serves as a key communication tool, but connectivity constraints and an aging population limit universal use in Gregory County.

In Gregory County, South Dakota, mobile phone usage reflects both rural characteristics and distinct local demographics compared to broader state patterns. As of late 2023, an estimated 84% of adults in Gregory County use mobile phones, a figure somewhat lower than the statewide average of approximately 91%. Smartphone adoption in the county sits at roughly 68%, lagging behind urban centers in South Dakota where adoption often exceeds 80%.

Demographically, mobile phone ownership is highest among residents aged 18–44, with approximately 93% in this cohort using mobile devices, mirroring national rural trends. Adults aged 45–64 show an ownership rate near 77%, while adults over 65 are at 55%, both several points under state averages. There is a pronounced digital divide among Native American residents and in low-income rural households, correlating to both accessibility and affordability concerns.

Digital infrastructure in Gregory County is in a transitional phase. While recent expansions have brought 4G LTE coverage to around 82% of the county’s population, patchy service persists, particularly in southern and western townships. Only about 30% of households report access to high-speed mobile data suitable for streaming and remote work, underscoring a gap with populous counties like Minnehaha or Pennington, which have near-universal high-speed coverage.

A key trend specific to Gregory County is slower adoption of mobile-based internet as a primary connection. Only 21% of internet users rely primarily on mobile networks, compared to a state average of 33%, due to persistent infrastructure limitations and limited provider competition. The county has seen increased interest in fixed wireless and community broadband projects, hinting at a potential shift away from mobile-first connectivity models seen elsewhere in South Dakota.

Overall, Gregory County stands out for modest but steadily rising mobile phone use with ongoing challenges in digital infrastructure deployment and generational adoption, differentiating it from more urbanized or digitally mature parts of the state.

Social Media Usage in Gregory County, SD

User Statistics & Demographics:
Gregory County, with a population of approximately 3,900, reflects rural Midwestern social media trends. An estimated 65% of residents actively use at least one social platform, translating to about 2,500 users.

• Age Groups:
  • 13-17 years: 8% of users
  • 18-34 years: 24%
  • 35-54 years: 34%
  • 55+ years: 34%

The largest user segments are adults aged 35 and above, with younger teens showing comparatively lower engagement.

• Gender Breakdown:
  • Female: 53%
  • Male: 47%

Most-Used Platforms (Approximate % of users):

• Facebook: 82%
• YouTube: 61%
• Instagram: 27%
• Snapchat: 19%
• TikTok: 14%
• Twitter/X: 8%

Facebook dominates as the leading platform among all age groups, especially those 35 and older. YouTube enjoys broad appeal, particularly among residents under 55. Instagram and Snapchat skew younger, with usage concentrated in the 18-34 segment. TikTok, while growing, remains less prevalent, and Twitter/X has the lowest adoption.

Behavioral Trends: Residents primarily use social media for staying in touch with family and community news, sharing local events, and participating in group forums specific to Gregory County interests (e.g., community swaps, lost & found, and school activities). Visual content, such as photos and local event videos, sees the highest engagement, while political and national news content circulates less compared to peer interactions and community-based posts.

Businesses and local organizations leverage Facebook for outreach, announcements, and event promotion, with increasing but still modest use of Instagram for visual marketing. Community discussion and local event coordination are central behavioral trends, while influencer culture and national trends have less impact compared to urban counterparts.

Insights: Social media in Gregory County centers around community connection, practical communication, and local identity, with Facebook as the cornerstone platform. Usage skews older, and visual, hyper-local content consistently outperforms broader topics.