Bordering states
Nebraska vs South Dakota
Short answer
- NE
- 2,005,465
- SD
- 924,669
The two states, county by county
Both maps share one density scale, so the same shade means the same number of people per square mile on either side of the border. Darker counties are denser. Select a county to open its page.
Nebraska
South Dakota
- < 2
- < 5
- < 10
- < 22
- ≥ 22
Residents, 2024
- 01Nebraska2,005,465
- 02South Dakota924,669
Land, square miles
- 01Nebraska76,815
- 02South Dakota75,808
People per square mile
- 01Nebraska26.1
- 02South Dakota12.2
Median county household income
- 01Nebraska$65,151
- 02South Dakota$67,180
Side by side
| Measure | Nebraska | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Residents, 2024 | 2,005,465 | 924,669 |
| Rank by population | 37th | 46th |
| Land, sq mi | 76,815 | 75,808 |
| People per sq mi | 26.1 | 12.2 |
| County-equivalents | 93 | 66 |
| Median county residents | 6,103 | 5,296 |
| Median county income | $65,151 | $67,180 |
| Most populous county | Douglas County | Minnehaha County |
| Largest county by land | Cherry County | Meade County |
| Capital | Lincoln | Pierre |
| Daylight at capital, June 21 | 15 h 06 min | 15 h 32 min |
| Census division | West North Central | West North Central |
Population and density
Nebraska has 2,005,465 residents, 2.2 times South Dakota's 924,669. Nebraska ranks 37th and South Dakota 46th of the 50 states and DC. Nebraska is the more crowded, with 26.1 people per square mile against 12.2, 2.1 times.
Land area
Nebraska has 76,815 square miles of land, about the same as South Dakota's 75,808. The largest county-equivalent in Nebraska is Cherry County at 5,960 square miles; in South Dakota it is Meade County at 3,471.
Counties
Nebraska is divided into 93 county-equivalents and South Dakota into 66, so an average Nebraska county covers 826 square miles against 1,149. The typical county in Nebraska has 6,103 residents, against 5,296 in South Dakota. The most populous are Douglas County (601,158) and Minnehaha County (208,639).
10 county names appear on both sides of the border: Brown, Buffalo, Clay, Custer, Deuel, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, McPherson, Perkins. Use the FIPS code, not the name, when joining data across the two states.
Household income
The median county in South Dakota has a household income of $67,180, 3% above Nebraska's $65,151. The highest county incomes are Sarpy County ($101,902) in Nebraska and Lincoln County ($102,130) in South Dakota, from SAIPE 2023.
Capitals and daylight
Lincoln and Pierre are 308 miles apart in a straight line; from Lincoln the initial bearing is 324°, NW. On June 21, 2026, Lincoln gets 15 h 06 min of daylight and Pierre 15 h 32 min; on December 21 the figures are 9 h 15 min and 8 h 51 min. Month by month tables are on the Lincoln and Pierre daylight pages.
Where they sit
Both are in the Census West North Central division of the Midwest region. By county internal points, Nebraska spans 3 UTM zones and South Dakota 2.
Questions people ask
Which is bigger, Nebraska or South Dakota?
Nebraska, with 76,815 square miles of land against 75,808, 1.01 times as large.
Which has more people, Nebraska or South Dakota?
Nebraska has 2,005,465 residents, 2.2 times South Dakota's 924,669.
How far is Lincoln from Pierre?
308 miles in a straight line, heading NW (324°) from Lincoln.
Do Nebraska and South Dakota have counties with the same name?
Yes, 10: Brown, Buffalo, Clay, Custer, Deuel, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln, McPherson, Perkins.
Sources and data as of
Data as of: Census Vintage 2024 population estimates, 2024 Gazetteer land area and internal points, SAIPE 2023 median household income.
- 01Census Vintage 2024 county population estimates
- 02Census 2024 Gazetteer, counties
- 03Census SAIPE 2023 state and county estimates
- 04Census Bureau regions and divisions of the United States (last verified 2026-09-30)
How every number is computed: methodology. Spotted a wrong figure? Report an error.