Facts on Kids in South Dakota: Grandparents Responsible for Their Grandchildren.

This fact sheet discusses the characteristics of grandparent caregivers in the United States and then presents information the number and characteristics of grandparent caregivers in South Dakota. Findings indicate: there were 7 million grandparents in the United States living with their grandchildren, and 2.7 million (39%) were responsible for caring for their grandchildren; there were 11,217 South Dakota grandparents living with their grandchildren, and 5,311 (47%) were responsible for caring for their grandchildren; of grandparents responsible for their grandchildren in South Dakota, 66% were age 30-59, and 34% were age 60 and older; 33% of grandparents caring for their grandchildren in South Dakota have been responsible for their grandchildren for five or more years; and there are 29 counties in South Dakota where half or more of grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren under age 18.