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Union County, South Dakota

Coordinates: 42°50′N 96°39′W / 42.83°N 96.65°W / 42.83; -96.65
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Union County
County
Chicago and North Western Railway depot in Beresford, South Dakota
Chicago and North Western Railway depot in Beresford, South Dakota
Map of South Dakota highlighting Union County
Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting South Dakota
South Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°50′N 96°39′W / 42.83°N 96.65°W / 42.83; -96.65
Country United States
State South Dakota
FoundedApril 10, 1862
SeatElk Point
Largest communityDakota Dunes
Area
 • Total
467 sq mi (1,210 km2)
 • Land461 sq mi (1,190 km2)
 • Water6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  1.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
16,811
 • Estimate 
(2023)
17,183 Increase
 • Density36/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websiteunioncountysd.org

Union County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,811,[1] making it the 13th most populous county in South Dakota. 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, IA–NE–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

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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

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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 ft (460 m) 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

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas[3]

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Lakes[3]

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

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18703,507—
18806,81394.3%
18909,13034.0%
190011,15322.2%
191010,676−4.3%
192011,0994.0%
193011,4803.4%
194011,6751.7%
195010,792−7.6%
196010,197−5.5%
19709,643−5.4%
198010,93813.4%
199010,189−6.8%
200012,58423.5%
201014,39914.4%
202016,81116.8%
2023 (est.)17,183[6]2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 16,811 people, 6,822 households, and 4,613 families in the county.[11] The population density was 36.5 inhabitants per square mile (14.1/km2). There were 7,215 housing units.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 14,399 people, 5,756 households, and 4,043 families in the county. 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). 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. 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.

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.

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.

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Townships

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

Unorganized territory

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  • Richland

Politics

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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 2024).

United States presidential election results for Union County, South Dakota[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 6,160 69.40% 2,548 28.71% 168 1.89%
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

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Union County SD Google Maps (accessed February 9, 2019)
  4. ^ ""Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed February 9, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  6. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2023". Census.gov. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  12. ^ Garryowen SD (WikiMapia - accessed February 9, 2019)
  13. ^ Texas Cemetery, Dakota Territory ("About Elk Point" - accessed February 9, 2019)
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
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42°50′N 96°39′W / 42.83°N 96.65°W / 42.83; -96.65

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