Spink County, South Dakota

Spink County
U.S. county
Spink County Courthouse (2013)
Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota
South Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°56′N 98°21′W / 44.94°N 98.35°W / 44.94; -98.35
Country	United States
State	South Dakota
Founded	1873 (created) 1879 (organized)
Named for	S.L. Spink
Seat	Redfield
Largest city	Redfield
Area
• Total	1,510 sq mi (3,900 km2)
• Land	1,504 sq mi (3,900 km2)
• Water	5.8 sq mi (15 km2)  0.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,361
• Density	4.2/sq mi (1.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	At-large
Website	www.spinkcounty-sd.org

Spink County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,361.^[1] Its county seat is Redfield.^[2] The county was created in 1873, and was organized in 1879 within Dakota Territory.^[3]

Geography[]

The terrain of Spink County consists of rolling hills, dedicated to agriculture. The James River flows southerly through the central portion of the county.^[4] The terrain slopes to the south; its highest point is in its northeast corner, at 1,424' (434m) ASL.^[5] The county has a total area of 1,510 square miles (3,900 km²), of which 1,504 square miles (3,900 km²) is land and 5.8 square miles (15 km²) (0.4%) is water.^[6]

Major highways[]

Protected area[]

• Fisher Grove State Park

Adjacent counties[]

Lakes^[4][]

• Alkali Lake
• Cottonwood Lake
• Twin Lakes

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	477		—
1890	10,581		2,118.2%
1900	9,487		−10.3%
1910	15,981		68.5%
1920	15,768		−1.3%
1930	15,304		−2.9%
1940	12,527		−18.1%
1950	12,204		−2.6%
1960	11,706		−4.1%
1970	10,595		−9.5%
1980	9,201		−13.2%
1990	7,981		−13.3%
2000	7,454		−6.6%
2010	6,415		−13.9%
2020	6,361		−0.8%
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 7,454 people, 2,847 households, and 1,933 families in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 3,352 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.56% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 1.48% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,847 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 6.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.05.

The county population contained 25.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 107.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,717, and the median income for a family was $37,114. Males had a median income of $25,065 versus $20,386 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,728. About 10.20% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Several Hutterite communities are in Spink County, including near Ashton and Stratford.^[12]

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 6,415 people, 2,608 households, and 1,677 families in the county.^[13] The population density was 4.3 inhabitants per square mile (1.7/km²). There were 3,139 housing units at an average density of 2.1 per square mile (0.81/km²).^[14] The racial makeup of the county was 97.1% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.^[13] In terms of ancestry, 52.6% were German, 11.6% were Norwegian, 10.0% were Irish, 9.2% were English, and 5.5% were American.^[15]

Of the 2,608 households, 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.7% were non-families, and 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 44.4 years.^[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,000 and the median income for a family was $60,639. Males had a median income of $40,273 versus $26,139 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,295. About 8.2% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.^[16]

Communities[]

Cities[]

Towns[]

Census-designated place[]

• Mansfield (partial)

Unincorporated communities^[4][]

Townships[]

Politics[]

Spink County was historically a swing county, but in the past few decades has become fairly Republican. In no national election since 1992 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2016).

See also[]

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

References[]

Coordinates: 44°56′N 98°21′W / 44.94°N 98.35°W / 44.94; -98.35