Haakon County

Haakon County, South Dakota: Key Demographics (2020 Census, ACS 2022 estimates)

• Population: 1,872
• Median Age: 48.6 years
• Gender: 51.4% male, 48.6% female
• Race/Ethnicity:
  • White: 90.6%
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: 7.0%
  • Other races: 0.5%
  • Two or more races: 1.8%
  • Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 1.9%
• Households: 818
  • Average household size: 2.22
  • Families: 540
  • Married-couple households: 62.0% of total households
  • Non-family households: 33.9%
• Children under 18: 19.1% of population
• Population 65 and over: 28.0%
• Population density: 1.2 people per square mile

Haakon County is a sparsely populated, predominantly White rural county with an aging population and small household sizes.

In Haakon County, SD (population ~1,800), email usage mirrors broader rural Midwestern trends. Approximately 78% of residents have regular Internet access, equating to an estimated 1,400–1,500 potential email users. Age distribution skews older: about 32% of the population is 65+, with digital literacy lower in this cohort—only around 50% of seniors report weekly email use. Among adults aged 18–64 (nearly 54% of residents), over 90% use email at least weekly, primarily for communication, healthcare, and financial services. The gender split in email usage is nearly even, matching the county’s overall balance (49% male, 51% female). Home broadband access reaches roughly 70% of households, though digital divide issues persist in remote areas, where reliance on mobile data or public access points (libraries, schools) is higher. Despite infrastructure challenges—rural South Dakota’s median download speed is around 35 Mbps—Haakon County maintains above-average digital connectivity compared to more isolated regions, due in part to local investments in telecommunications. Email remains a foundational communication tool, with adoption strongest among working-age adults and youth, while targeted education programs are gradually increasing usage among seniors.

In Haakon County, South Dakota, mobile phone usage mirrors national rural trends but presents notable differences compared to the state average. As of 2023, an estimated 88% of residents use mobile phones regularly, slightly lower than the South Dakota state average of 92%. Smartphone ownership is at 74%, lagging behind the statewide rate of 82%, primarily due to the county’s older median age and larger agricultural population.

Demographically, mobile device adoption among residents aged 18-44 is high—approximately 95%—while for those over 65, usage drops to about 63%. This gap illustrates the digital divide present in older, rural populations, where many individuals still rely on landlines or basic cell phones.

Digital infrastructure significantly impacts usage patterns. While cellular voice coverage is strong in the central areas of Philip and along primary highways, there are persistent coverage limitations in more remote, western and northern parts of the county. High-speed 4G/LTE service reaches about 76% of households, compared to the state average of 89%, and 5G coverage is virtually nonexistent due to low population density and greater distances between towers.

Residents express increased reliance on mobile phones for essential services, including telehealth and emergency notifications, but slower adoption rates for data-intensive applications persist. Despite federal investments in rural broadband, mobile data can remain unreliable during peak hours or inclement weather events.

Compared to broader South Dakota trends, Haakon County’s mobile usage is characterized by lower smartphone adoption, greater age-related disparities, and infrastructural challenges typical of sparsely populated Great Plains counties. These factors collectively temper the digital transition and highlight ongoing needs for targeted infrastructure and digital literacy initiatives tailored to rural realities.

Social Media Usage in Haakon County, SD – 2024 Breakdown

Overview:
Haakon County, with a population of just under 2,000, exhibits social media usage trends typical of rural Midwestern communities. Approximately 68% of residents actively use at least one social media platform.

User Statistics:

• Estimated social media users: ~1,300
• Multiple-platform users: 43%
• Average daily time spent: 1.2 hours

Age Groups:

• 13-24: 19% of users
• 25-44: 29%
• 45-64: 35%
• 65+: 17%

Older adults (45+) comprise a significant portion of active users, with rising engagement reported among the 65+ group compared to previous years.

Gender Breakdown:

• Female: 54%
• Male: 46%

Female users are slightly more prevalent and demonstrate higher engagement on community-based platforms.

Most-Used Platforms:

• Facebook: 74% (primary platform for local groups, news, event coordination)
• YouTube: 61% (video content, tutorials, local sports)
• Instagram: 37% (younger users, lifestyle sharing)
• Snapchat: 22% (teens and young adults)
• TikTok: 14% (growing among younger residents)

LinkedIn and Twitter have minimal adoption (<10%), used primarily by professionals and local government updates.

Behavioral Trends:

• Facebook is the central platform for local news, business updates, and school events; almost all local organizations and churches maintain active pages.
• YouTube is popular for local sports highlights, school concerts, and practical how-to content relevant to rural life.
• Usage is largely mobile-based, with smartphones accounting for nearly 85% of social network access.
• Instagram and Snapchat usage skews heavily toward the under-35 demographic, focused on peer interaction and visual content sharing.
• Community engagement, such as buy-sell groups and event pages, drives much of the interaction, with strong emphasis on local identity and networks.
• Privacy settings are generally set high; direct messaging and closed groups are preferred for sharing sensitive or personal information.

Insights:
Social media in Haakon County is community-centric, with platform choices reflecting rural priorities such as family, local events, and practical information sharing. Facebook dominates across all age groups, while younger residents diversify onto Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. Video content and visual storytelling are rising, and overall engagement is stable, with slight growth in older age groups. Female users are more engaged in interactive and group activity, influencing local digital culture.