South Dakota’s only large county, Minnehaha, reported an employment increase of 1.6 percent from June 2023 to June 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are the 369 U.S. counties or county equivalents with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.) Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that in June 2024, Minnehaha County’s employment level was 140,700. (See table 1.)

National employment increased 0.8 percent over the year, with 259 of the 355 largest U.S. counties with published data reporting gains. Kings, NY, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 4.0 percent. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-3.0 percent).

Minnehaha County’s employment accounted for 29.9 percent of total employment within the state. Within the county’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment in June 2024. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties comprised 73.1 percent of total covered employment in the United States.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 65 counties in South Dakota with employment below 75,000. All 65 smaller counties had wage levels below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

Minnehaha County’s 3.8-percent wage growth from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024 was less than the national increase of 4.4 percent. Among the 351 largest counties in the United States with published data, 348 had over-the-year wage increases. Hamilton, IN, had the largest percentage wage increase (+33.4 percent). Essex, MA, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-2.1 percent).

Minnehaha County’s $1,190 average weekly wage ranked 214^th among the 360 largest U.S. counties in the second quarter of 2024. Among the largest U.S. counties with published data, 87 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the second quarter of 2024. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,632). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 273 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($820).

Among the 65 smaller counties in South Dakota—those with employment below 75,000—Union ($1,276) reported the highest average weekly wage. Jones County ($661) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 66 counties in South Dakota were considered, 23 reported average weekly wages of less than $850, 20 registered wages from $850 to $949, 16 had wages from $950 to $1049, and 7 had average weekly wages of $1,050 or higher. (See map 1.)

QCEW data for states have been included in this release in table 3. For additional information about quarterly employment and wages data, please read the Technical Note for the County Employment and Wages News Release or visit the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages website.

Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online features comprehensive information by detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation and all states. This publication is typically published in September of the following year of the reference period or shortly after the QCEW first quarter full data update.

Information in this release will be made available to individuals with sensory impairments upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1.

The County Employment and Wages release for the third quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the third quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.