Union County, South Dakota facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Union County
U.S. county
Chicago and North Western Railway depot in Beresford, South Dakota
Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota
South Dakota's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	South Dakota
Founded	April 10, 1862
Seat	Elk Point
Largest city	North Sioux City
Area
• Total	467 sq mi (1,210 km2)
• Land	461 sq mi (1,190 km2)
• Water	6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  1.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	16,811
• Estimate  (2021)	16,872
• Density	36.00/sq mi (13.899/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	At-large

Union County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 United States 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".

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 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. 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, 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

Protected areas

• Missouri National Recreational River (part)
• Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve
• Union Grove State Park

Demographics

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States 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

Cities

• Alcester
• Beresford (partial)
• Elk Point (county seat)
• Jefferson
• North Sioux City

Census-designated places

• Dakota Dunes
• Richland

Unincorporated communities

• Alsen
• Garryowen
• Nora

Ghost towns

• Emmet
• Gothland
• Hill Side
• Texas
• Morganfield

Townships

The county is divided into thirteen townships:

Unorganized territory

The county contains one area of unorganized territory: Richland.

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Union (Dakota del Sur) para niños