Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Source:^[5]

Lakes

Source:^[5]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 6,164 people, 2,155 households, and 1,513 families residing in the county.^[13] The population density was 12.2 inhabitants per square mile (4.7/km²). There were 2,759 housing units.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 5,903 people, 2,108 households, and 1,483 families in the county. The population density was 11.6 inhabitants per square mile (4.5/km²). There were 2,760 housing units at an average density of 5.4 units per square mile (2.1 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.7% white, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 1.8% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 42.3% were German, 24.0% were Norwegian, 7.0% were English, 6.1% were Irish, 5.4% were Dutch, and 5.3% were American.

Of the 2,108 households, 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.6% were non-families, and 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.28. The median age was 36.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,439 and the median income for a family was $54,483. Males had a median income of $36,921 versus $24,645 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,558. About 4.9% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

Towns

• Hayti (county seat)
• Hazel

Census-designated place

• Claremont Colony
• Lake Poinsett (part)
• Poinsett Colony

Unincorporated communities

Source:^[5]

• Baxter Slough
• Dempster
• Thomas

Townships