Brookings County, South Dakota

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Brookings County
U.S. county
Brookings County Courthouse in Brookings
Brookings County Courthouse in Brookings
Map of South Dakota highlighting Brookings 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: 44°22′N 96°47′W / 44.37°N 96.79°W / 44.37; -96.79
Country United States
State South Dakota
Founded1862 (created)
July 3, 1871 (organized)
Named forWilmot Wood Brookings
SeatBrookings
Largest cityBrookings
Area
 • Total805 sq mi (2,080 km2)
 • Land792 sq mi (2,050 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  1.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total34,375
 • Density43/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.brookingscountysd.gov

Brookings County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 34,375,[1] making it the fifth-most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat is Brookings.[2] The county was created in 1862 and organized in 1871.[3]

Brookings County comprises the Brookings, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History[]

The county was founded July 3, 1871, and was named for Wilmot Wood Brookings (1830-1905), a politician and pioneer of southeastern South Dakota. Medary was the first county seat, from 1871 to 1879, when it was moved to the city of Brookings.

Geography[]

Soils of Brookings County

Brookings County is on the east side of South Dakota. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Minnesota. The Big Sioux River flows south-southeastward through the east central part of the county; its point of entry into Moody County marks Brookings County's lowest elevation: 1,568' (478m) ASL.[4]

The county terrain consists of sloped flatlands, marked by numerous lakes and ponds especially in the western part. The area is largely devoted to agricultural use.[5] The county has a total area of 805 square miles (2,080 km2), of which 782 square miles (2,030 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (1.6%) is water.[6]

Transportation[]

Major highways[]

By-pass plate.svg

Airports[]

Adjacent counties[]

  • Deuel County – north
  • Lincoln County, Minnesota – east
  • Pipestone County, Minnesota – southeast
  • Moody County – south
  • Lake County – southwest
  • Kingsbury County – west
  • Hamlin County – northwest

Lakes[]

Protected areas[]

  • Aurora Prairie Nature Preserve[8]
  • Black Slough State Game Production Area
  • Brookings County State Game Production Area
  • Brookings Prairie Park[9]
  • Dakota Nature Park[10]
  • Deer Creek State Game Production Area
  • Kvernmoe Slough State Game Production Area
  • Lake Hendricks State Lakeside Use Area
  • Mehegan State Game Production Area
  • Moe Slough State game Production Area
  • Nelson State Game Production Area
  • Oak Lake State Game Production Area
  • Oakwood Lake State Game Production Area
  • Oakwood Lakes State Park

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1870163—
18804,9652,946.0%
189010,132104.1%
190012,56124.0%
191014,17812.9%
192016,11913.7%
193016,8474.5%
194016,560−1.7%
195017,8517.8%
196020,04612.3%
197022,15810.5%
198024,3329.8%
199025,2073.6%
200028,22012.0%
201031,96513.3%
202034,3757.5%
US Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2020[1]

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[15] there were 28,220 people, 10,665 households, and 6,217 families in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14/km2). There were 11,576 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.36% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.90% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 0.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 39.2% were of German, 23.2% Norwegian and 5.7% Irish ancestry.

There were 10,665 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.00% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.70% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 20.80% under the age of 18, 26.80% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 17.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 102.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,438, and the median income for a family was $48,052. Males had a median income of $30,843 versus $22,074 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,586. About 6.20% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.10% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 31,965 people, 12,029 households, and 6,623 families in the county.[16] The population density was 40.3 inhabitants per square mile (15.6/km2). There were 13,137 housing units at an average density of 16.6 per square mile (6.4/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% white, 2.7% Asian, 0.9% American Indian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.9% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.0% of the population.[16] In terms of ancestry, 47.9% were German, 24.3% were Norwegian, 11.9% were Irish, 6.9% were English, 6.1% were Dutch, and 2.0% were American.[18]

Of the 12,029 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.9% were non-families, and 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 26.3 years.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,134 and the median income for a family was $63,338. Males had a median income of $40,425 versus $30,023 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,995. About 5.9% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.[19]

Communities[]

Cities[]

Towns[]

Census-designated place[]

Unincorporated communities[]

Townships[]

  • Afton
  • Alton
  • Argo
  • Aurora
  • Bangor
  • Brookings
  • Elkton
  • Eureka
  • Lake Hendricks
  • Lake Sinai
  • Laketon
  • Medary
  • Oaklake
  • Oakwood
  • Oslo
  • Parnell
  • Preston
  • Richland
  • Sherman
  • Sterling
  • Trenton
  • Volga
  • Winsor

Politics[]

Brookings County voters are reliably Republican. In only two national elections since 1932 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

Presidential election results

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "2020 Census Results". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  4. ^ ""Find an Elevation" Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  5. ^ Brookings County SD Google Maps (accessed 30 January 2019)
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  7. ^ Oak Lake, Brookings County, SD Google Maps (accessed 30 January 2019)
  8. ^ Aurora Prairie Google Maps (accessed 30 January 2019)
  9. ^ Brookings Prairie Google Maps (accessed 30 January 2019)
  10. ^ Dakota Nature Park Google Maps (accessed 30 January 2019)
  11. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  13. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  17. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  18. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  19. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 13 April 2018.

External links[]

Coordinates: 44°22′N 96°47′W / 44.37°N 96.79°W / 44.37; -96.79

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