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Union County, South Dakota
Beresford, SD depot from NW 2 long
Chicago and North Western Railway depot in Beresford, South Dakota
Map of South Dakota highlighting Union County
Location in the state of South Dakota
Map of the U.S
South Dakota's location in the U.S.
Founded April 10, 1862
Seat Elk Point
Largest city Dakota Dunes
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

467 sq mi (1,210 km²)
461 sq mi (1,194 km²)
6.6 sq mi (17 km²), 1.4
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

16,811
Congressional district At-large
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website http://unioncountysd.org/

Union County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 16,811, making it the 13th most populous county in South Dakota.[1] Its county seat has been Elk Point since April 30, 1865.[2] Originally named Cole County, its name was changed to Union on January 7, 1864, because of Civil War sentiment.

Union County is part of the Sioux City, IANE–SD Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Progressive Farmer rated Union County second in the "2006 Best Place to Live Survey" in the U.S., because "its schools are good, its towns neat and its people friendly".

History[]

Founded on April 10, 1862, as Cole County, it was renamed Union County on January 7, 1864, when its boundaries were changed to encompass land previously part of neighboring Lincoln County. The county seat was moved from Richland to Elk Point on April 30, 1865.

Geography[]

Union County lies on the southeast corner of South Dakota. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the State of Iowa (across the Big Sioux River), and its south/southwest boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the State of Nebraska (across the Missouri River). The Brule Creek flows southeasterly across the central part of the county, emptying into the Big Sioux. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, devoted to agriculture except around built-up areas.[3] The terrain slopes to the south and east; its highest point is near its northwest corner, at 1,509' (460m) ASL.[4] The county has a total area of 467 square miles (1,210 km2), of which 461 square miles (1,190 km2) is land and 6.6 square miles (17 km2) (1.4%) is water.[5] It is the fifth-smallest county in South Dakota by area.

Major highways[]

  • I-29 Interstate 29
  • SD 11 South Dakota Highway 11
  • SD 19 South Dakota Highway 19
  • SD 46 South Dakota Highway 46
  • SD 48 South Dakota Highway 48
  • SD 50 South Dakota Highway 50
  • SD 105 South Dakota Highway 105

Adjacent counties[]

Protected areas[3][]

  • Adams Homestead and State Nature Preserve
  • Bent River State Game Production Area
  • Bolton State Game Production Area
  • Cusick State game Production Area
  • Cut Off Bend State Game Production Area
  • Missouri National Recreational River (partial)
  • Petry-Conway State Game Production Area
  • Petry/Harmelink State Game Production Area
  • Ryan State Game Production Area
  • Union Grove State Park
  • Warren Wilderness State Game Production Area

Lakes[3][]

  • Burbank Lake (partial)
  • McCook Lake
  • Mud Lake

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1870 3,507
1880 6,813 94.3%
1890 9,130 34.0%
1900 11,153 22.2%
1910 10,676 −4.3%
1920 11,099 4.0%
1930 11,480 3.4%
1940 11,675 1.7%
1950 10,792 −7.6%
1960 10,197 −5.5%
1970 9,643 −5.4%
1980 10,938 13.4%
1990 10,189 −6.8%
2000 12,584 23.5%
2010 14,399 14.4%
Est. 2021 16,872 [6] 34.1%
US Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[11] there were 12,584 people, 4,927 households, and 3,517 families in the county. The population density was 27 inhabitants per square mile (10 /km2). There were 5,345 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.85% White, 1.34% Asian, 0.37% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% Black or African American, 0.24% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,927 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.00% were married couples living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.

The county population contained 27.00% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,790, and the median income for a family was $51,227. Males had a median income of $35,406 versus $23,440 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,355. About 3.70% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.90% of those under age 18 and 10.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 14,399 people, 5,756 households, and 4,043 families in the county.[12] The population density was 31.3 inhabitants per square mile (12.1 /km2). There were 6,280 housing units at an average density of 13.6 per square mile (5.3 /km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 95.5% white, 0.9% Asian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.6% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.1% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 42.0% were German, 18.2% were Norwegian, 17.7% were Irish, 7.9% were English, 6.8% were Swedish, and 3.7% were American.[14]

Of the 5,756 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.8% were non-families, and 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 40.2 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $59,889 and the median income for a family was $71,308. Males had a median income of $42,702 versus $31,993 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,783. About 3.9% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Communities[]

Cities[]

Census-designated places[]

Unincorporated communities[]

Ghost towns[]

  • Emmet
  • Gothland (Alcester Twp)[3]
  • Hill Side (Emmet Twp)[3]
  • Texas (Elk Point Twp)[17]
  • Morganfield

Townships[]

  • Alcester
  • Big Sioux
  • Big Springs
  • Brule
  • Civil Bend
  • Elk Point
  • Emmet
  • Jefferson
  • Prairie
  • Richland
  • Sioux Valley
  • Spink
  • Virginia

Unorganized territory[]

  • Richland

Politics[]

Union County voters were more politically centered in times past, but the county has selected the Republican Party candidate in every national election since 2000 (as of 2020).

United States presidential election results for Union County, South Dakota[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,944 67.13% 2,725 30.77% 186 2.10%
2016 5,290 66.99% 2,227 28.20% 380 4.81%
2012 4,698 61.85% 2,782 36.62% 116 1.53%
2008 4,310 55.97% 3,244 42.12% 147 1.91%
2004 3,987 56.57% 3,000 42.57% 61 0.87%
2000 3,265 56.57% 2,358 40.85% 149 2.58%
1996 2,234 42.90% 2,378 45.67% 595 11.43%
1992 1,784 35.00% 2,210 43.36% 1,103 21.64%
1988 1,907 41.91% 2,612 57.41% 31 0.68%
1984 2,431 51.98% 2,221 47.49% 25 0.53%
1980 2,788 55.16% 1,830 36.21% 436 8.63%
1976 2,297 47.26% 2,540 52.26% 23 0.47%
1972 2,271 46.90% 2,554 52.75% 17 0.35%
1968 2,212 49.70% 2,014 45.25% 225 5.06%
1964 1,727 37.91% 2,828 62.09% 0 0.00%
1960 2,688 53.56% 2,331 46.44% 0 0.00%
1956 2,636 52.94% 2,343 47.06% 0 0.00%
1952 3,393 67.35% 1,645 32.65% 0 0.00%
1948 2,205 49.38% 2,237 50.10% 23 0.52%
1944 2,501 54.87% 2,057 45.13% 0 0.00%
1940 3,116 54.44% 2,608 45.56% 0 0.00%
1936 1,845 31.89% 3,520 60.85% 420 7.26%
1932 1,381 27.86% 3,530 71.21% 46 0.93%
1928 2,415 53.19% 2,106 46.39% 19 0.42%
1924 1,665 45.04% 877 23.72% 1,155 31.24%
1920 1,942 66.17% 841 28.65% 152 5.18%
1916 1,108 44.95% 1,313 53.27% 44 1.78%
1912 0 0.00% 965 39.08% 1,504 60.92%
1908 1,392 56.63% 1,009 41.05% 57 2.32%
1904 1,813 68.31% 730 27.51% 111 4.18%
1900 1,571 53.00% 1,358 45.82% 35 1.18%
1896 1,297 46.24% 1,491 53.16% 17 0.61%
1892 860 43.30% 241 12.13% 885 44.56%



See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, South Dakota

References[]

  1. ^ a b "2020 Census Results". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-results.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Union County SD Google Maps (accessed 9 February 2019)
  4. ^ ""Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed 9 February 2019)". https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm. 
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_46.txt. 
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html. 
  7. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sd190090.txt. 
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  12. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US46127. 
  13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US46127. 
  14. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US46127. 
  15. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US46127. 
  16. ^ Garryowen SD (WikiMapia - accessed 9 February 2019)
  17. ^ Texas Cemetery, Dakota Territory ("About Elk Point" - accessed 9 February 2019)
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

External links[]

Coordinates: 42°50′N 96°39′W / 42.83, -96.65

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Union County, South Dakota. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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