How Many Pigs Live in South Dakota?

There are more pigs than people in South Dakota making the pork industry is tremendously important to folks in the state.

As of December 1, 2024, there were approximately 2.24 million hogs and pigs in South Dakota, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

READ MORE: Come On A Trip Of A Lifetime To Experience Iconic Italy!

That total includes roughly 1.92 million market hogs and 320,000 breeding hogs across the state.

South Dakota consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for pig production, competing alongside heavyweight producers like Iowa, Minnesota, and North Carolina.

While Iowa leads the country by a wide margin with over 24 million hogs as of December 2024, South Dakota holds its own as a significant contributor to the national pork supply.

The state's swine industry benefits from abundant corn and soybean production, which keeps feed costs competitive, as well as a strong network of family farms and large commercial operations.

Pork production supports thousands of jobs in South Dakota, from farm workers and veterinarians to processing plant employees and feed suppliers.