Union County, South Dakota

Union County, South Dakota
Location in the state of South Dakota
South Dakota's location in the U.S.
Founded	information needed
Seat	Elk Point
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	467 sq mi (1,210 km²) 460 sq mi (1,192 km²) 7 sq mi (17 km²), 1.43%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	14,399 31.23/sq mi (12.05/km²)
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. It is part of the Sioux City, IA–NE–SD Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,399. Its county seat is Elk Point.^[1] Originally named Cole County, the named was changed to Union because of Civil War sentiment.

Progressive Farmer rated Union County second in the 2006 "Best Place to Live" in the U.S., because "its schools are good, its towns neat and its people friendly."

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 467 square miles (1,210 km²), of which 460 square miles (1,200 km²) is land and 7 square miles (18 km²) (1.43%) is water.

Townships

The county is divided into thirteen townships: Alcester, Big Sioux, Big Springs, Brule, Civil Bend, Elk Point, Emmet, Jefferson, Prairie, Quincy, Sioux Valley, Spink, Virginia, and one area of unorganized territory: Richland.

Major highways

Interstate 29 South Dakota Highway 11 South Dakota Highway 19 South Dakota Highway 46

South Dakota Highway 48 South Dakota Highway 50 South Dakota Highway 105

Adjacent counties

• Lincoln County, South Dakota - north
• Sioux County, Iowa - northeast
• Plymouth County, Iowa - east
• Woodbury County, Iowa - southeast
• Dakota County, Nebraska - south
• Dixon County, Nebraska - southwest
• Clay County, South Dakota - west

National protected area

• Missouri National Recreational River (part)

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%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 12,584 people, 4,927 households, and 3,517 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (11/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.

In the county, the population was spread out with 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.

Cities and towns

• Alcester
• Alsen
• Beresford
• Elk Point
• Garryowen
• Jefferson
• Nora
• North Sioux City
• Richland
• Spink

Ghost Towns and Extinct Villages

• Emmet
• Gothland
• Hill Side
• Texas

See also

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

References

1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
2. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

External links

• Union County Historical Society website
• 2nd Best Place to Live in 2006 from the Progressive Farmer website

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