Akashic

county

Lake County, SD

Office (updates table and map)

President margin by year

Place winner margin

1892–2024 · D minus R

Full record · 1892 → 2024

2024

Boundary by 2024 margin · Precinct returns · VEST · MIT Election Lab

People and households

Who lives here

Exact values for this place, its state, and the United States.

Race · ethnicity · ancestry

Communities and origins

German36.4%33.1%12.5%

Norwegian16.3%10.4%—

Irish12.4%9.9%9.4%

English8.5%7.7%9.5%

American4.4%4.4%5.3%

Dutch3.5%3.4%—

Swedish2.8%2.5%—

Danish2.1%0.8%—

Mexican3.3%2.6%11.3%

Cuban0.5%—0.7%

Nicaraguan0.4%——

Argentinean0.2%——

Rosebud Sioux0.3%1.1%—

Chamorro0.2%——

Hispanic or Latino counts residents of any race; the race groups count only their non-Hispanic residents, so the groups are mutually exclusive and sum to 100%. Expand a row to see ancestries reported within that group.

Age and life stage

Measure	Lake County	South Dakota	United States
Median age	43.8	38.2	39.1
Age 18–24	10.4%	9.2%	9.2%
Age 65 and older	24.3%	18.0%	17.2%

Household economy

Measure	Lake County	South Dakota	United States
Median household income	$76,808	$75,081	$84,427
Poverty rate	8.4%	12.0%	12.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)	34.6%	31.9%	35.6%

Languages at home

Measure	Lake County	South Dakota	United States
Speaks a non-English language at home	5.0%	7.1%	22.3%
Spanish	3.0%	2.6%	13.6%

Religious landscape

Measure	Lake County	South Dakota	United States
Catholic	13.7%	14.8%	18.6%
Evangelical Protestant	12.6%	20.1%	16.5%
Unclaimed / not counted	40.1%	44.9%	51.5%
Mainline Protestant	31.5%	18.0%	5.2%

American Community Survey 2024 5-year (CVAP, income, age, poverty, education, language, race, ancestry) · 2020 U.S. Religion Census (ASARB) — congregational adherents; unclaimed is the residual not counted by congregations.

President results by year

2024 turnout 69.5% of 8,556 citizens 18+

HarrisDemocratic33.5%1,978TrumpRepublican64.7%3,819KennedyIndependent1.5%87

R+31.2

Lead: 1,841
Total: 5,906
vs nation: R+29.7
Turnout: 69.5%

BidenDemocratic35.2%2,068TrumpRepublican62.7%3,681JorgensenLibertarian2.1%124

R+27.5

Lead: 1,613
Total: 5,873
vs nation: R+31.9
Turnout: 60.0%

ClintonDemocratic34.1%2,314TrumpRepublican59.5%4,038JohnsonLibertarian5.3%358

R+25.4

Lead: 1,724
Total: 6,786
vs nation: R+27.5
Turnout: 73.3%

ObamaDemocratic43.3%2,724RomneyRepublican54.4%3,419OtherAll other candidates2.3%142

R+11.1

Lead: 695
Total: 6,285
vs nation: R+14.9
Turnout: —

ObamaDemocratic49.3%3,033McCainRepublican48.6%2,993OtherAll other candidates2.1%131

D+0.6

Lead: 40
Total: 6,157
vs nation: R+6.6
Turnout: —

KerryDemocratic41.8%2,509BushRepublican55.9%3,359OtherAll other candidates2.3%139

R+14.2

Lead: 850
Total: 6,007
vs nation: R+11.7
Turnout: —

GoreDemocratic45.2%2,331BushRepublican52.9%2,724OtherAll other candidates1.9%99

R+7.6

Lead: 393
Total: 5,154
vs nation: R+8.1
Turnout: —

ClintonDemocratic49.4%2,526DoleRepublican38.5%1,966PerotReform11.6%593

D+11.0

Lead: 560
Total: 5,109
vs nation: D+2.4
Turnout: —

Key facts

2024 presidential margin: R+31.2MIT Election Lab
Population: 10,9722024 5-year
Median household income: $76,8082024 5-year
White (non-Hispanic): 88.8%2024 5-year
Black: 0.7%2024 5-year
Hispanic / Latino: 5.3%2024 5-year
Peak Democratic margin: D+33.5 in 1912MIT Election Lab
Peak Republican margin: R+67.0 in 1904MIT Election Lab
Most similar: Winneshiek County, IA · twin score 88.1

Participation

Midterm durability

Total general-election participants divided by same-year citizen voting-age population. These are total ballots or participating voters—not presidential candidate votes.

2024 total turnout: 69.5%5,948 participants ÷ 8,556 CVAP
2020→2022 drop-off: +2.5 ptsHigh-turnout, durable
Drop-off versus state: -9.7 ptsPositive means a larger decline than the statewide pattern
Mechanical 2026 scenario: 58.4%–67.0%Recent-cycle and two-cycle persistence scenarios; not a forecast

Election	Participants	CVAP	Turnout	Quality
2016 · Presidential	7,011	9,566	73.3%	A/A
2018 · Midterm	5,284	9,872	53.5%	A/A
2020 · Presidential	5,966	9,939	60.0%	A/A
2022 · Midterm	5,082	8,839	57.5%	C/A
2024 · Presidential	5,948	8,556	69.5%	A/A

Sources and methods

2016: numerator source 158, denominator source 157; total voters participating; eavs-f1a-v1:observed:native; allocation share 0.0%; series 293/111.
2018: numerator source 158, denominator source 157; total voters participating; eavs-f1a-v1:observed:native; allocation share 0.0%; series 297/138.
2020: numerator source 158, denominator source 157; total voters participating; eavs-f1a-v1:observed:native; allocation share 0.0%; series 301/2.
2022: numerator source 159, denominator source 157; top ticket votes; canonical-complete-contest-floor-v1; allocation share 0.0%; series 154/183.
2024: numerator source 158, denominator source 157; total voters participating; eavs-f1a-v1:observed:native; allocation share 0.0%; series 311/228.

Precinct data

Results by precinct

20 precincts · 5,906 votes

Election

Precinct boundaries and identifiers are cycle-specific. This table does not join rows across years without a validated crosswalk.

Lake County precinct-level presidential election results for 2024

Precinct -WARD 1WARD 1	550	753	31	1,334	41.2%	56.4%	R+15.2
Precinct -WARD 2WARD 2	290	421	21	732	39.6%	57.5%	R+17.9
Precinct -WARD 3WARD 3	280	422	13	715	39.2%	59.0%	R+19.9
Precinct -WENTWORTH-RUTLANDWENTWORTH-RUTLAND	174	420	8	602	28.9%	69.8%	R+40.9
Precinct -LAKEVIEWLAKEVIEW	211	372	6	589	35.8%	63.2%	R+27.3
Precinct -CHESTER-FRANKLINCHESTER-FRANKLIN	145	430	4	579	25.0%	74.3%	R+49.2
Precinct -HERMAN-WINFREDHERMAN-WINFRED	123	350	10	483	25.5%	72.5%	R+47.0
Precinct -FARMINGTON-LEROY-CLARNO-ORLANDFARMINGTON-LEROY-CLARNO-ORLAND	86	294	7	387	22.2%	76.0%	R+53.7
Precinct -CONCORD-BADUS-WAYNE/RAMONACONCORD-BADUS-WAYNE/RAMONA	81	191	5	277	29.2%	69.0%	R+39.7
Precinct -NUNDA-SUMMITNUNDA-SUMMIT	38	166	4	208	18.3%	79.8%	R+61.5
Chester-Franklin precinct46_460794301	0	0	0	0	—	—	No votes
Concord-Badus-Wayne-Ramona Town precinct46_460794304	0	0	0	0	—	—	No votes
Farmington-LeRoy-Clarno-Orland precinct46_460794306	0	0	0	0	—	—	No votes
Herman-Winfred precinct46_460794305	0	0	0	0	—	—	No votes
Lakeview precinct46_460794307	0	0	0	0	—	—	No votes
Madison ward 146_460794308	0	0	0	0	—	—	No votes
Madison ward 246_460794309	0	0	0	0	—	—	No votes
Madison ward 346_460794310	0	0	0	0	—	—	No votes
Nunda-Summit-Nunda Town precinct46_460794303	0	0	0	0	—	—	No votes
Wentworth-Rutland-Wentworth Village precinct46_460794302	0	0	0	0	—	—	No votes

presidential history

Presidential margin, 1892–2024

Democratic minus Republican, by election

Presidential margin over time
Year	Margin (D minus R)
1892	−32.0%
1896	+7.2%
1900	−12.8%
1904	−67.0%
1908	−36.1%
1912	+33.5%
1916	−14.6%
1920	−58.0%
1924	−38.2%
1928	−27.1%
1932	+16.1%
1936	−11.0%
1940	−37.7%
1944	−31.4%
1948	−14.9%
1952	−46.6%
1956	−24.6%
1960	−22.6%
1964	+10.6%
1968	−10.9%
1972	−0.6%
1976	+7.3%
1980	−15.1%
1984	−12.2%
1988	+4.4%
1992	+8.9%
1996	+11.0%
2000	−7.6%
2004	−14.2%
2008	+0.6%
2012	−11.1%
2016	−25.4%
2020	−27.5%
2024	−31.2%

DemocraticRepublican

38 presidential elections

Third column names the leading third-party or independent finisher. Source · MIT Election Lab · ICPSR · VEST (precinct-level 2024). Swing · margin change from the prior cycle; not shown when either cycle is estimated or under source review. vs U.S. · margin relative to the national result that year.
Year	Won	Democratic	Republican	Other	Margin	Swing	vs U.S.	Total
2024	R	33.5%Harris1,978	64.7%Trump3,819	1.5%Kennedy87	R+31.2	R+3.7	R+29.7	5,906
2020	R	35.2%Biden2,068	62.7%Trump3,681	2.1%Jorgensen124	R+27.5	R+2.1	R+31.9	5,873
2016	R	34.1%Clinton2,314	59.5%Trump4,038	5.3%Johnson358	R+25.4	R+14.3	R+27.5	6,786
2012	R	43.3%Obama2,724	54.4%Romney3,419	2.3%	R+11.1	R+11.7	R+14.9	6,285
2008	D	49.3%Obama3,033	48.6%McCain2,993	2.1%	D+0.6	D+14.8	R+6.6	6,157
2004	R	41.8%Kerry2,509	55.9%Bush3,359	2.3%	R+14.2	R+6.5	R+11.7	6,007
2000	R	45.2%Gore2,331	52.9%Bush2,724	1.9%	R+7.6	R+18.6	R+8.1	5,154
1996	D	49.4%Clinton2,526	38.5%Dole1,966	11.6%Perot593	D+11.0	D+2.1	D+2.4	5,109
1992	D	42.7%Clinton2,388	33.8%Bush1,890	23.2%Perot1,299	D+8.9	D+4.5	D+3.3	5,590
1988	D	52.0%Dukakis2,663	47.6%Bush2,439	0.4%	D+4.4	D+16.6	D+12.1	5,122
1984	R	43.7%Mondale2,367	55.9%Reagan3,027	0.4%	R+12.2	D+2.9	D+6.0	5,413
1980	R	37.7%Carter2,207	52.9%Reagan3,093	9.4%	R+15.1	R+22.4	R+5.4	5,852
1976	D	53.5%Carter2,930	46.2%Ford2,530	0.3%	D+7.3	D+7.9	D+5.2	5,476
1972	R	49.6%McGovern2,886	50.1%Nixon2,919	0.3%	R+0.6	D+10.3	D+22.6	5,822
1968	R	42.8%Humphrey2,294	53.7%Nixon2,876	3.5%	R+10.9	R+21.4	R+10.2	5,358
1964	D	55.3%Johnson2,988	44.7%Goldwater2,417	0.0%	D+10.6	D+33.1	R+12.0	5,405
1960	R	38.7%Kennedy2,224	61.3%Nixon3,520	0.0%	R+22.6	D+2.1	R+22.7	5,744
1956	R	37.7%Stevenson2,058	62.3%Eisenhower3,404	0.0%	R+24.6	D+21.9	R+9.2	5,462
1952	R	26.7%Stevenson1,466	73.3%Eisenhower4,020	0.0%	R+46.6	R+31.6	R+35.8	5,486
1948	R	42.0%Truman2,093	56.9%Dewey2,837	1.0%	R+14.9	D+16.5	R+19.4	4,982
1944	R	34.3%Roosevelt1,543	65.7%Dewey2,956	0.0%	R+31.4	D+6.3	R+38.9	4,499
1940	R	31.1%Roosevelt1,889	68.9%Willkie4,179	0.0%	R+37.7	R+26.7	R+47.7	6,068
1936	R	41.9%Roosevelt2,520	53.0%Landon3,182	5.1%	R+11.0	R+27.1	R+35.3	6,009
1932	D	57.1%Roosevelt3,090	41.1%Hoover2,222	1.8%	D+16.1	D+43.2	R+1.7	5,407
1928	R	36.3%Smith1,744	63.4%Hoover3,048	0.3%	R+27.1	D+11.1	R+9.7	4,807
1924	O	7.1%Davis297	45.4%Coolidge1,888	47.5%La Follette1,978	La Follette +2.2	D+19.8	R+13.0	4,163
1920	R	11.9%Cox398	70.0%Harding2,333	18.1%	R+58.0	R+43.4	R+31.8	3,334
1916	R	40.4%Wilson1,027	55.0%Hughes1,398	4.5%	R+14.6	R+48.1	R+17.8	2,540
1912	O	33.5%Wilson657	0.0%Taft0	66.5%	Roosevelt +33.0	D+69.6	D+14.0	1,961
1908	R	29.5%Bryan636	65.6%Taft1,415	4.9%	R+36.1	D+30.9	R+26.6	2,157
1904	R	11.9%Parker260	78.9%Roosevelt1,728	9.2%	R+67.0	R+54.2	R+47.4	2,190
1900	R	42.7%Bryan901	55.6%McKinley1,172	1.7%	R+12.8	R+20.1	R+5.3	2,109
1896	D	53.3%Bryan999	46.1%McKinley864	0.6%	D+7.2	D+39.2	D+13.3	1,874
1892	O	11.5%Cleveland196	43.5%Harrison742	45.0%	Weaver +1.6	—	R+33.6	1,707
1888	—	—	—	—	No data	—	—	—
1884	—	—	—	—	No data	—	—	—
1880	—	—	—	—	No data	—	—	—
1876	—	—	—	—	No data	—	—	—

Federal and statewide elections · 2 House · 37 Senate · 12 governor

U.S. House

Each row shows U.S. House votes counted inside this Place. “Vote lead” is the local lead here, not necessarily the winner of the full contest.

Source · Akashic actual-race rollup from certified returns, House; geographic aggregation.
Year	Vote lead	Democratic	Republican	Total
2024	R	25.1%1,785	74.9%5,324	7,109
2020	R	0.0%0	100.0%4,717	4,717

U.S. Senate

Each row shows U.S. Senate votes counted inside this Place. “Vote lead” is the local lead here, not necessarily the winner of the full contest.

Sources · MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL); Amlani & Algara 2021 (Harvard Dataverse doi:10.7910/DVN/DGUMFI); upstream CQ Press + ICPSR · CC BY 4.0 / CC0 1.0.
Year	Vote lead	Democratic	Republican	Total
2022	R	23.2%1,139	73.5%3,615	4,918
2020Class II	R	35.2%Dan Ahlers2,069	64.8%Mike Rounds3,816	5,885
2016Class III	R	30.3%Jay Williams2,031	69.7%John Thune4,677	6,708
2014Class II	R	38.0%Rick Weiland1,862	46.6%Mike Rounds2,283	4,899
2010Class III	R	0.0%None0	100.0%John Thune3,700	3,700
2008Class II	D	66.9%Tim Johnson4,086	33.1%Joel Dykstra2,021	6,107
2004Class III	D	55.8%Tom Daschle3,391	44.2%John Thune2,683	6,074
2002Class II	D	58.2%Tim Johnson3,198	40.9%John Thune2,248	5,496
1998Class III	D	71.7%Tom Daschle3,176	27.5%Ron Schmidt1,216	4,429
1996Class II	D	57.0%Tim Johnson2,972	43.0%Larry Pressler2,246	5,218
1992Class III	D	66.7%Tom Daschle3,728	31.4%Charlene Haar1,754	5,589
1990Class II	R	44.3%Ted Muenster2,048	53.2%Larry Pressler2,462	4,626
1986Class III	D	55.7%Tom Daschle2,958	44.3%James Abdnor2,351	5,309
1984Class II	R	25.6%George V. Cunningham1,399	74.4%Larry Pressler4,072	5,471
1980Class III	R	44.9%George McGovern2,634	52.9%James Abdnor3,102	5,868
1978Class II	R	32.5%Don Barnett1,548	67.5%Larry Pressler3,219	4,767
1974Class III	D	57.7%George McGovern3,013	42.3%Leo K. Thorsness2,205	5,218
1972Class II	D	59.5%James Abourezk3,404	40.5%Robert W. Hirsch2,314	5,718
1968Class III	D	56.7%George McGovern3,027	43.3%Archie Gubbrud2,308	5,335
1966Class II	R	31.3%Donn H. Wright1,427	68.7%Karl E. Mundt3,125	4,552
1962Class III	R	49.5%George McGovern2,330	50.5%Joe Bottum2,378	4,708
1960Class II	R	43.4%George McGovern2,477	56.6%Karl E. Mundt3,225	5,702
1956Class III	R	48.7%Kenneth Holum2,603	51.3%Francis Case2,745	5,348
1954Class II	R	40.7%Kenneth Holum1,892	59.3%Karl E. Mundt2,755	4,647
1950Class III	R	35.3%John A. Engel1,698	64.7%Francis Case3,110	4,808
1948Class II	R	31.2%John A. Engel1,518	68.8%Karl E. Mundt3,351	4,869
1944Class III	R	29.3%George M. Bradshaw1,291	70.7%Chandler Gurney3,109	4,400
1942Class II	R	29.6%Tom Berry922	70.4%Harlan J. Bushfield2,194	3,116
1938Class III	R	41.5%Tom Berry2,315	58.5%Chandler Gurney3,263	5,578
1936Class II	R	39.0%William J. Bulow2,297	57.9%Chandler Gurney3,410	5,887
1932Class III	R	43.7%U.S.G. Cherry2,299	55.6%Peter Norbeck2,927	5,264
1930Class II	D	54.2%William J. Bulow1,959	45.8%William H. McMaster1,655	3,614
1926Class III	R	34.3%C.J. Gunderson1,050	57.1%Peter Norbeck1,749	3,064
1924Class II	R	36.2%U.S.G. Cherry1,460	39.1%William H. McMaster1,574	4,030
1920Class III	R	12.5%U.S.G. Cherry415	60.1%Peter Norbeck1,997	3,322
1918Class II	R	28.3%W.T. Rinehart514	64.3%Thomas Sterling1,167	1,815
1914Class III	R	39.7%Edwin S. Johnson703	52.5%Charles H. Burke930	1,772

Governor

Each row shows Governor votes counted inside this Place. “Vote lead” is the local lead here, not necessarily the winner of the full contest.

Sources · MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL); Amlani & Algara 2021 (Harvard Dataverse doi:10.7910/DVN/DGUMFI); upstream CQ Press + ICPSR · CC BY 4.0 / CC0 1.0.
Year	Vote lead	Democratic	Republican	Total
2022	R	34.6%Jamie Smith1,720	63.0%Kristi Noem3,131	4,966
2018	D	51.3%Billie Sutton And Michelle Lavallee2,669	47.7%Kristi Noem And Larry Rhoden2,483	5,207
2014	R	24.7%Susan Wismer1,205	71.7%Dennis Daugaard3,493	4,870
2010	R	37.4%Scott Heidepriem1,925	62.6%Dennis Daugaard3,225	5,150
2006	R	38.2%Jack Billion2,065	59.8%Mike Rounds3,237	5,412
2002	R	46.1%Jim Abbott2,529	52.9%Mike Rounds2,897	5,481
1998	R	28.0%Bernie Hunhoff1,233	70.2%Bill Janklow3,092	4,406
1994	R	38.3%Jim Beddow1,965	58.5%Bill Janklow3,001	5,134
1990	R	42.2%Bob Samuelson1,948	57.8%George Mickelson2,667	4,615
1986	R	49.0%Lars Herseth2,553	51.0%George Mickelson2,655	5,208
1982	R	23.2%Mike O'Connor1,199	76.8%Bill Janklow3,972	5,171
1978	R	48.1%Roger D. McKellips2,304	51.9%Bill Janklow2,484	4,788

voter registration

Registered voters

By party of registration, over time

Party registration · 2026R+36.0

Presidential vote · 2024R+31.2

Registration leans Republican; the presidential vote runs 4.8 points more Republican.

7,714 registered voters · 2026

Democratic21.9%Republican57.9%Unaffiliated8.0%Other12.2%

domestic migration

Who moves in and out

Net migration over time, and who arrivals are — where they came from and what those places vote

−56 net domestic migration · 2025

20112025

Net +1,231 over 2011–2025 · gain loss

Arrivals reported $71,188 in average income, against $96,043 for residents who stayed — 26% lower. (IRS SOI, 2022–23)

The places arrivals came from lean R+16.8 on average — 14 points more Democratic-leaning than Lake County, SD itself (R+31.2).

Where arrivals came from lean of each source

Minnehaha County, SD63R+12.7
Brookings County, SD28R+17.4
Lincoln County, SD25R+26.5

Where departures went households, 2022–23

Minnehaha County, SD103
Lincoln County, SD20

Migration is one input to a place’s political change, not its cause — a shift can also come from residents changing their minds, generational turnover, or turnout. These figures describe the places people moved between; they do not measure how any mover voted.

Domestic migration in Lake County, SD in Lake County, SD: net domestic migration by year
Year	Net domestic migration
2011	+252
2012	+117
2013	+143
2014	+158
2015	+229
2016	+244
2017	+190
2018	+245
2019	−273
2021	−148
2022	+88
2023	+88
2024	−46
2025	−56

Lake County anchors the Coteau des Prairies plateau in eastern South Dakota, where agricultural economies and a stable rural electorate have produced consistent Republican presidential margins exceeding 25 points across the last four election cycles.

Across the recorded series it reached a Democratic high of 33.5 points in 1912 and a Republican high of 67.0 points in 1904. Between 2020 and 2024 the county moved 3.7 points toward the Republican candidate; the 2024 margin was 31.2 points.

A population of 10,972, a 89% non-Hispanic-white share, and a median household income of $76,808 describe the county. The county's voting pattern over the last decade is most similar to that of Winneshiek County and Winnebago County.

Political twins — counties

The counties whose fingerprint — 2000–2024 trajectory, demographics, ancestry, religion — sits closest to this one, and why.

Winneshiek County

Iowa

88.1twin score

elasticity% WhiteGerman ancestry≠ Norwegian ancestry

Winnebago County

Iowa

87.7twin score

elasticity2008 margin% White≠ Irish ancestry

Barnes County

North Dakota

87.7twin score

elasticity2008 margin% White≠ Irish ancestry

Twin score (0–100) = weighted cosine between tier-standardized fingerprints: presidential margins 2000–2024 with 12-yr trend and elasticity, ACS income, age, education, population and race, top reported ancestries, and religious adherence — chips name the closest-shared dimensions and the widest gap. Re-weight the groups in the twins explorer.

Browse places by community — income, education, race & ethnicity, language — all community cuts →

Compare two places, side by side

Twelve curated comparisons line up election history, demographics, and the divergence story for two places at a glance. Browse all comparisons →

Cite this page

All citations released under CC BY 4.0. Attribution: Akashic Intelligence.

Lake County, South Dakota. Akashic. https://akashic.app/county/46079/. Accessed May 20, 2026. License: CC BY 4.0.

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Cities & towns in Lake County

Madison

R+17

6.1K residents

South Dakota at the ballot boxAll elections →

Presidentcounty detail2024 US Senatestatewide2022 Governorstate + county2022 US Houseall districts2024

Frequently asked questions

How did Lake County, South Dakota vote in 2024?

In 2024, Lake County, South Dakota voted Republican by 31.2 points (R+31.2), carried by the Republican candidate. Out of 5,906 votes cast, 1,978 went Democratic and 3,819 went Republican.

When did Lake County, South Dakota last vote Democratic?

The most recent presidential election in which Lake County, South Dakota voted Democratic was 2008.

How many people live in Lake County, South Dakota?

Lake County, South Dakota has a population of 10,972 according to the 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates from the US Census Bureau.

What is the median household income in Lake County, South Dakota?

Median household income in Lake County, South Dakota is $76,808 — below the national median of $80,734. The South Dakota state median is $75,081.

What is the political history of Lake County, South Dakota?

Akashic tracks 38 presidential elections in Lake County, South Dakota from 1876 to 2024. Of those, 8 went Democratic and 23 went Republican.

Measure

Lake County

South Dakota

United States

Median age

43.8

38.2

39.1

Age 18–24

10.4%

9.2%

Age 65 and older

24.3%

18.0%

17.2%

Measure

Lake County

South Dakota

United States

Median household income

$76,808

$75,081

$84,427

Poverty rate

8.4%

12.0%

12.5%

Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)

34.6%

31.9%

35.6%

Measure

Lake County

South Dakota

United States

Speaks a non-English language at home

5.0%

7.1%

22.3%

Spanish

3.0%

2.6%

13.6%

Measure

Lake County

South Dakota

United States

Catholic

13.7%

14.8%

18.6%

Evangelical Protestant

12.6%

20.1%

16.5%

Unclaimed / not counted

40.1%

44.9%

51.5%

Mainline Protestant

31.5%

18.0%

5.2%

Key facts

2024 presidential margin

R+31.2MIT Election Lab

Population

10,9722024 5-year

Median household income

$76,8082024 5-year

White (non-Hispanic)

88.8%2024 5-year

Black

0.7%2024 5-year

Hispanic / Latino

5.3%2024 5-year

Peak Democratic margin

D+33.5 in 1912MIT Election Lab

Peak Republican margin

R+67.0 in 1904MIT Election Lab

Most similar

Winneshiek County, IA · twin score 88.1

Election

Participants

CVAP

Turnout

Quality

2016 · Presidential

7,011

9,566

73.3%

A/A

2018 · Midterm

5,284

9,872

53.5%

A/A

2020 · Presidential

5,966

9,939

60.0%

A/A

2022 · Midterm

5,082

8,839

57.5%

C/A

2024 · Presidential

5,948

8,556

69.5%

A/A

Lake County precinct-level presidential election results for 2024

Precinct -WARD 1WARD 1

550

753

1,334

41.2%

56.4%

R+15.2

Precinct -WARD 2WARD 2

290

421

732

39.6%

57.5%

R+17.9

Precinct -WARD 3WARD 3

280

422

715

39.2%

59.0%

R+19.9

Precinct -WENTWORTH-RUTLANDWENTWORTH-RUTLAND

174

420

602

28.9%

69.8%

R+40.9

Precinct -LAKEVIEWLAKEVIEW

211

372

589

35.8%

63.2%

R+27.3

Precinct -CHESTER-FRANKLINCHESTER-FRANKLIN

145

430

579

25.0%

74.3%

R+49.2

Precinct -HERMAN-WINFREDHERMAN-WINFRED

123

350

483

25.5%

72.5%

R+47.0

Precinct -FARMINGTON-LEROY-CLARNO-ORLANDFARMINGTON-LEROY-CLARNO-ORLAND

294

387

22.2%

76.0%

R+53.7

Precinct -CONCORD-BADUS-WAYNE/RAMONACONCORD-BADUS-WAYNE/RAMONA

191

277

29.2%

69.0%

R+39.7

Precinct -NUNDA-SUMMITNUNDA-SUMMIT

166

208

18.3%

79.8%

R+61.5

Chester-Franklin precinct46_460794301

—

No votes

Concord-Badus-Wayne-Ramona Town precinct46_460794304

—

No votes

Farmington-LeRoy-Clarno-Orland precinct46_460794306

—

No votes

Herman-Winfred precinct46_460794305

—

No votes

Lakeview precinct46_460794307

—

No votes

Madison ward 146_460794308

—

No votes

Madison ward 246_460794309

—

No votes

Madison ward 346_460794310

—

No votes

Nunda-Summit-Nunda Town precinct46_460794303

—

No votes

Wentworth-Rutland-Wentworth Village precinct46_460794302

—

No votes

Presidential margin, 1892–2024

Democratic minus Republican, by election

Presidential margin over time
Year	Margin (D minus R)
1892	−32.0%
1896	+7.2%
1900	−12.8%
1904	−67.0%
1908	−36.1%
1912	+33.5%
1916	−14.6%
1920	−58.0%
1924	−38.2%
1928	−27.1%
1932	+16.1%
1936	−11.0%
1940	−37.7%
1944	−31.4%
1948	−14.9%
1952	−46.6%
1956	−24.6%
1960	−22.6%
1964	+10.6%
1968	−10.9%
1972	−0.6%
1976	+7.3%
1980	−15.1%
1984	−12.2%
1988	+4.4%
1992	+8.9%
1996	+11.0%
2000	−7.6%
2004	−14.2%
2008	+0.6%
2012	−11.1%
2016	−25.4%
2020	−27.5%
2024	−31.2%

DemocraticRepublican

Third column names the leading third-party or independent finisher. Source · MIT Election Lab · ICPSR · VEST (precinct-level 2024). Swing · margin change from the prior cycle; not shown when either cycle is estimated or under source review. vs U.S. · margin relative to the national result that year.

Year

Won

Democratic

Republican

Other

Margin

Swing

vs U.S.

Total

2024

33.5%Harris1,978

64.7%Trump3,819

1.5%Kennedy87

R+31.2

R+3.7

R+29.7

5,906

2020

35.2%Biden2,068

62.7%Trump3,681

2.1%Jorgensen124

R+27.5

R+2.1

R+31.9

5,873

2016

34.1%Clinton2,314

59.5%Trump4,038

5.3%Johnson358

R+25.4

R+14.3

R+27.5

6,786

2012

43.3%Obama2,724

54.4%Romney3,419

2.3%

R+11.1

R+11.7

R+14.9

6,285

2008

49.3%Obama3,033

48.6%McCain2,993

2.1%

D+0.6

D+14.8

R+6.6

6,157

2004

41.8%Kerry2,509

55.9%Bush3,359

2.3%

R+14.2

R+6.5

R+11.7

6,007

2000

45.2%Gore2,331

52.9%Bush2,724

1.9%

R+7.6

R+18.6

R+8.1

5,154

1996

49.4%Clinton2,526

38.5%Dole1,966

11.6%Perot593

D+11.0

D+2.1

D+2.4

5,109

1992

42.7%Clinton2,388

33.8%Bush1,890

23.2%Perot1,299

D+8.9

D+4.5

D+3.3

5,590

1988

52.0%Dukakis2,663

47.6%Bush2,439

0.4%

D+4.4

D+16.6

D+12.1

5,122

1984

43.7%Mondale2,367

55.9%Reagan3,027

0.4%

R+12.2

D+2.9

D+6.0

5,413

1980

37.7%Carter2,207

52.9%Reagan3,093

9.4%

R+15.1

R+22.4

R+5.4

5,852

1976

53.5%Carter2,930

46.2%Ford2,530

0.3%

D+7.3

D+7.9

D+5.2

5,476

1972

49.6%McGovern2,886

50.1%Nixon2,919

0.3%

R+0.6

D+10.3

D+22.6

5,822

1968

42.8%Humphrey2,294

53.7%Nixon2,876

3.5%

R+10.9

R+21.4

R+10.2

5,358

1964

55.3%Johnson2,988

44.7%Goldwater2,417

0.0%

D+10.6

D+33.1

R+12.0

5,405

1960

38.7%Kennedy2,224

61.3%Nixon3,520

0.0%

R+22.6

D+2.1

R+22.7

5,744

1956

37.7%Stevenson2,058

62.3%Eisenhower3,404

0.0%

R+24.6

D+21.9

R+9.2

5,462

1952

26.7%Stevenson1,466

73.3%Eisenhower4,020

0.0%

R+46.6

R+31.6

R+35.8

5,486

1948

42.0%Truman2,093

56.9%Dewey2,837

1.0%

R+14.9

D+16.5

R+19.4

4,982

1944

34.3%Roosevelt1,543

65.7%Dewey2,956

0.0%

R+31.4

D+6.3

R+38.9

4,499

1940

31.1%Roosevelt1,889

68.9%Willkie4,179

0.0%

R+37.7

R+26.7

R+47.7

6,068

1936

41.9%Roosevelt2,520

53.0%Landon3,182

5.1%

R+11.0

R+27.1

R+35.3

6,009

1932

57.1%Roosevelt3,090

41.1%Hoover2,222

1.8%

D+16.1

D+43.2

R+1.7

5,407

1928

36.3%Smith1,744

63.4%Hoover3,048

0.3%

R+27.1

D+11.1

R+9.7

4,807

1924

7.1%Davis297

45.4%Coolidge1,888

47.5%La Follette1,978

La Follette +2.2

D+19.8

R+13.0

4,163

1920

11.9%Cox398

70.0%Harding2,333

18.1%

R+58.0

R+43.4

R+31.8

3,334

1916

40.4%Wilson1,027

55.0%Hughes1,398

4.5%

R+14.6

R+48.1

R+17.8

2,540

1912

33.5%Wilson657

0.0%Taft0

66.5%

Roosevelt +33.0

D+69.6

D+14.0

1,961

1908

29.5%Bryan636

65.6%Taft1,415

4.9%

R+36.1

D+30.9

R+26.6

2,157

1904

11.9%Parker260

78.9%Roosevelt1,728

9.2%

R+67.0

R+54.2

R+47.4

2,190

1900

42.7%Bryan901

55.6%McKinley1,172

1.7%

R+12.8

R+20.1

R+5.3

2,109

1896

53.3%Bryan999

46.1%McKinley864

0.6%

D+7.2

D+39.2

D+13.3

1,874

1892

11.5%Cleveland196

43.5%Harrison742

45.0%

Weaver +1.6

—

R+33.6

1,707

1888

—

No data

—

1884

—

No data

—

1880

—

No data

—

1876

—

No data

—

Source · Akashic actual-race rollup from certified returns, House; geographic aggregation.

Year

Vote lead

Democratic

Republican

Total

2024

25.1%1,785

74.9%5,324

7,109

2020

0.0%0

100.0%4,717

4,717

Sources · MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL); Amlani & Algara 2021 (Harvard Dataverse doi:10.7910/DVN/DGUMFI); upstream CQ Press + ICPSR · CC BY 4.0 / CC0 1.0.

Year

Vote lead

Democratic

Republican

Total

2022

23.2%1,139

73.5%3,615

4,918

2020Class II

35.2%Dan Ahlers2,069

64.8%Mike Rounds3,816

5,885

2016Class III

30.3%Jay Williams2,031

69.7%John Thune4,677

6,708

2014Class II

38.0%Rick Weiland1,862

46.6%Mike Rounds2,283

4,899

2010Class III

0.0%None0

100.0%John Thune3,700

3,700

2008Class II

66.9%Tim Johnson4,086

33.1%Joel Dykstra2,021

6,107

2004Class III

55.8%Tom Daschle3,391

44.2%John Thune2,683

6,074

2002Class II

58.2%Tim Johnson3,198

40.9%John Thune2,248

5,496

1998Class III

71.7%Tom Daschle3,176

27.5%Ron Schmidt1,216

4,429

1996Class II

57.0%Tim Johnson2,972

43.0%Larry Pressler2,246

5,218

1992Class III

66.7%Tom Daschle3,728

31.4%Charlene Haar1,754

5,589

1990Class II

44.3%Ted Muenster2,048

53.2%Larry Pressler2,462

4,626

1986Class III

55.7%Tom Daschle2,958

44.3%James Abdnor2,351

5,309

1984Class II

25.6%George V. Cunningham1,399

74.4%Larry Pressler4,072

5,471

1980Class III

44.9%George McGovern2,634

52.9%James Abdnor3,102

5,868

1978Class II

32.5%Don Barnett1,548

67.5%Larry Pressler3,219

4,767

1974Class III

57.7%George McGovern3,013

42.3%Leo K. Thorsness2,205

5,218

1972Class II

59.5%James Abourezk3,404

40.5%Robert W. Hirsch2,314

5,718

1968Class III

56.7%George McGovern3,027

43.3%Archie Gubbrud2,308

5,335

1966Class II

31.3%Donn H. Wright1,427

68.7%Karl E. Mundt3,125

4,552

1962Class III

49.5%George McGovern2,330

50.5%Joe Bottum2,378

4,708

1960Class II

43.4%George McGovern2,477

56.6%Karl E. Mundt3,225

5,702

1956Class III

48.7%Kenneth Holum2,603

51.3%Francis Case2,745

5,348

1954Class II

40.7%Kenneth Holum1,892

59.3%Karl E. Mundt2,755

4,647

1950Class III

35.3%John A. Engel1,698

64.7%Francis Case3,110

4,808

1948Class II

31.2%John A. Engel1,518

68.8%Karl E. Mundt3,351

4,869

1944Class III

29.3%George M. Bradshaw1,291

70.7%Chandler Gurney3,109

4,400

1942Class II

29.6%Tom Berry922

70.4%Harlan J. Bushfield2,194

3,116

1938Class III

41.5%Tom Berry2,315

58.5%Chandler Gurney3,263

5,578

1936Class II

39.0%William J. Bulow2,297

57.9%Chandler Gurney3,410

5,887

1932Class III

43.7%U.S.G. Cherry2,299

55.6%Peter Norbeck2,927

5,264

1930Class II

54.2%William J. Bulow1,959

45.8%William H. McMaster1,655

3,614

1926Class III

34.3%C.J. Gunderson1,050

57.1%Peter Norbeck1,749

3,064

1924Class II

36.2%U.S.G. Cherry1,460

39.1%William H. McMaster1,574

4,030

1920Class III

12.5%U.S.G. Cherry415

60.1%Peter Norbeck1,997

3,322

1918Class II

28.3%W.T. Rinehart514

64.3%Thomas Sterling1,167

1,815

1914Class III

39.7%Edwin S. Johnson703

52.5%Charles H. Burke930

1,772

Sources · MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL); Amlani & Algara 2021 (Harvard Dataverse doi:10.7910/DVN/DGUMFI); upstream CQ Press + ICPSR · CC BY 4.0 / CC0 1.0.

Year

Vote lead

Democratic

Republican

Total

2022

34.6%Jamie Smith1,720

63.0%Kristi Noem3,131

4,966

2018

51.3%Billie Sutton And Michelle Lavallee2,669

47.7%Kristi Noem And Larry Rhoden2,483

5,207

2014

24.7%Susan Wismer1,205

71.7%Dennis Daugaard3,493

4,870

2010

37.4%Scott Heidepriem1,925

62.6%Dennis Daugaard3,225

5,150

2006

38.2%Jack Billion2,065

59.8%Mike Rounds3,237

5,412

2002

46.1%Jim Abbott2,529

52.9%Mike Rounds2,897

5,481

1998

28.0%Bernie Hunhoff1,233

70.2%Bill Janklow3,092

4,406

1994

38.3%Jim Beddow1,965

58.5%Bill Janklow3,001

5,134

1990

42.2%Bob Samuelson1,948

57.8%George Mickelson2,667

4,615

1986

49.0%Lars Herseth2,553

51.0%George Mickelson2,655

5,208

1982

23.2%Mike O'Connor1,199

76.8%Bill Janklow3,972

5,171

1978

48.1%Roger D. McKellips2,304

51.9%Bill Janklow2,484

4,788

Frequently asked questions

How did Lake County, South Dakota vote in 2024?

In 2024, Lake County, South Dakota voted Republican by 31.2 points (R+31.2), carried by the Republican candidate. Out of 5,906 votes cast, 1,978 went Democratic and 3,819 went Republican.

When did Lake County, South Dakota last vote Democratic?

The most recent presidential election in which Lake County, South Dakota voted Democratic was 2008.

How many people live in Lake County, South Dakota?

Lake County, South Dakota has a population of 10,972 according to the 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates from the US Census Bureau.

What is the median household income in Lake County, South Dakota?

Median household income in Lake County, South Dakota is $76,808 — below the national median of $80,734. The South Dakota state median is $75,081.

What is the political history of Lake County, South Dakota?

Akashic tracks 38 presidential elections in Lake County, South Dakota from 1876 to 2024. Of those, 8 went Democratic and 23 went Republican.