Union County, South Dakota

Union County, South Dakota
Union County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,811, making it the 13th most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat has been Elk Point since April 30, 1865. 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
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. The terrain slopes to the south and east; its highest point is near its northwest corner, at ASL. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.4%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in South Dakota by area.
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 to the north
Sioux County, Iowa to the northeast
Plymouth County, Iowa to the east
Woodbury County, Iowa to the southeast
Dakota County, Nebraska to the south
Dixon County, Nebraska to the southwest
Clay County to the west
Protected areas
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
Burbank Lake (partial)
McCook Lake
Mud Lake
Demographics
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 16,811 people.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 14,399 people, 5,756 households, and 4,043 families in the county. The population density was . There were 6,280 housing units at an average density of . 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
Cities
Alcester
Beresford (partial)
Elk Point (county seat)
Jefferson
North Sioux City
Census-designated places
Dakota Dunes
Richland
Unincorporated communities
Alsen
Garryowen
Junction City
McCook Lake
Midway
Nora
Spink
Wynstone
Ghost towns
Emmet
Gothland (Alcester Twp)
Hill Side (Emmet Twp)
Texas (Elk Point Twp)
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).
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, South Dakota
References
External links
Union County Historical Society website
2nd Best Place to Live in 2006 from the Progressive Farmer website
1862 establishments in Dakota Territory
Populated places established in 1862
Sioux City metropolitan area
South Dakota counties on the Missouri River