Yankton County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,310, making it the 9th most populous county in South Dakota.[1] Its county seat is Yankton.[2] Yankton County comprises the Yankton, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Yankton County
Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Yankton.
Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Yankton.
Map of South Dakota highlighting Yankton 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: 43°01′N 97°23′W / 43.01°N 97.39°W / 43.01; -97.39
Country United States
State South Dakota
FoundedApril 10, 1862
Named forYankton Sioux
SeatYankton
Largest cityYankton
Area
 • Total
532 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Land521 sq mi (1,350 km2)
 • Water11 sq mi (30 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
23,310
 • Estimate 
(2023)
23,517 Increase
 • Density44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.co.yankton.sd.us
Missouri River in winter downstream from Yankton, with Nebraska below and South Dakota above. This stretch of the river is part of the 59-mile reach of the Missouri National Recreational River.

Geography

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Gavins Point Dam, impounding Lewis and Clark Lake on the Missouri River in the southwestern part of Yankton County.
 
View of Lewis and Clark Lake from Lewis & Clark Recreation Area along the South Dakota shore, west of Yankton.

Yankton County lies on the south side of South Dakota. Its south boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the state of Nebraska (across the Missouri River). The Missouri flows eastward along the county's south border. The James River flows south-southeastward through the west central portion of the county, discharging into the Missouri near the midpoint of the county's south line. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, carved by creeks and drainages, hosting several lakes and ponds. The area is devoted to agriculture.[3] The terrain slopes to the south and the east. Its highest point is 1,473 ft (449 m) ASL, on the eastern portion of its north boundary line.[4] The county has a total area of 532 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 521 square miles (1,350 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (2.1%) is water.[5]

Lewis & Clark Lake, a popular regional tourist and recreational destination is found in the southwestern part of the county.[6]

Major highways

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Airports

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas[3]

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Lakes and reservoirs

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18702,097
18808,390300.1%
189010,41424.1%
190012,64921.5%
191013,1353.8%
192015,23316.0%
193016,5898.9%
194016,7250.8%
195016,8040.5%
196017,5514.4%
197019,0398.5%
198018,952−0.5%
199019,2521.6%
200021,65212.5%
201022,4383.6%
202023,3103.9%
2023 (est.)23,517[7]0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 23,310 people, 9,435 households, and 5,693 families in the county.[12] The population density was 44.7 inhabitants per square mile (17.3/km2). There were 10,372 housing units.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 22,438 people, 8,770 households, and 5,476 families in the county. The population density was 43.1 inhabitants per square mile (16.6/km2). There were 9,652 housing units at an average density of 18.5 per square mile (7.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.8% white, 2.5% American Indian, 1.5% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry.

Of the 8,770 households, 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.6% were non-families, and 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 41.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,124 and the median income for a family was $62,070. Males had a median income of $37,637 versus $29,488 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,776. About 5.0% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Census-designated place

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Townships

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  • Gayville
  • Jamesville
  • Marindahl
  • Mayfield
  • Mission Hill
  • Turkey Valley
  • Utica
  • Volin
  • Walshtown

Unorganized territories

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  • Southeast Yankton
  • West Yankton

Politics and government

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Yankton County is Governed by the County Commission, a five-member legislative body elected at-large.[13] The current commissioners are:

  • John Marquardt, Chairman
  • Wanda Howey-Fox, Vice Chairman
  • Don Kettering
  • Ryan Heine
  • Dan Klimisch

The county is located in South Dakota Legislative District 18. As of 2024, Yankton County is represented in the South Dakota Senate by Senator Jean Hunhoff-(R), and in the South Dakota House of Representatives by State Representatives Mike Stevens-(R) and Ryan Cwach-(D).[14] The county is located in South Dakota's At-Large Congressional District, currently held by Republican Dusty Johnson.

In national elections, Yankton County voters have been reliably Republican for several decades. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

United States presidential election results for Yankton County, South Dakota[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 6,650 61.39% 3,883 35.85% 299 2.76%
2020 6,581 60.38% 4,016 36.84% 303 2.78%
2016 5,659 58.81% 3,301 34.30% 663 6.89%
2012 5,495 55.09% 4,226 42.37% 253 2.54%
2008 5,039 49.72% 4,838 47.74% 257 2.54%
2004 6,003 57.55% 4,237 40.62% 191 1.83%
2000 4,904 56.11% 3,596 41.14% 240 2.75%
1996 3,885 44.02% 3,775 42.77% 1,166 13.21%
1992 3,430 36.60% 3,404 36.32% 2,538 27.08%
1988 4,186 52.05% 3,777 46.96% 80 0.99%
1984 5,161 63.36% 2,932 36.00% 52 0.64%
1980 5,355 61.22% 2,698 30.84% 694 7.93%
1976 4,029 49.82% 3,987 49.30% 71 0.88%
1972 4,366 53.08% 3,835 46.63% 24 0.29%
1968 3,977 56.08% 2,733 38.54% 382 5.39%
1964 3,208 46.13% 3,747 53.87% 0 0.00%
1960 4,065 57.04% 3,061 42.96% 0 0.00%
1956 4,063 57.63% 2,987 42.37% 0 0.00%
1952 4,802 68.39% 2,220 31.61% 0 0.00%
1948 2,904 49.28% 2,932 49.75% 57 0.97%
1944 3,313 58.41% 2,359 41.59% 0 0.00%
1940 4,179 57.70% 3,064 42.30% 0 0.00%
1936 2,702 36.33% 4,349 58.47% 387 5.20%
1932 1,693 25.16% 4,930 73.25% 107 1.59%
1928 2,971 50.88% 2,841 48.66% 27 0.46%
1924 1,504 39.78% 693 18.33% 1,584 41.89%
1920 2,555 61.80% 1,147 27.75% 432 10.45%
1916 1,429 48.66% 1,438 48.96% 70 2.38%
1912 0 0.00% 1,289 44.02% 1,639 55.98%
1908 1,644 56.81% 1,118 38.63% 132 4.56%
1904 1,968 69.03% 788 27.64% 95 3.33%
1900 1,639 55.75% 1,268 43.13% 33 1.12%
1896 1,423 51.39% 1,330 48.03% 16 0.58%
1892 1,166 53.98% 228 10.56% 766 35.46%

The Yankton County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement in the county and operates the 120-bed county jail. As of 2021 the current Sheriff is Preston Crissey.[16]

Recreation and tourism

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Lewis and Clark Lake is located in southwestern Yankton County, four miles (6.4 km) west of Yankton. The Lewis & Clark Lake area is a popular regional tourist and recreation destination with parks, trails, campgrounds, boat ramps, and marinas. Gavins Point Dam, which creates Lewis & Clark Lake, is a popular fishing destination on the Missouri River.[17] The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks operates the Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area on the northern shore of the lake.

Below Gavins Point Dam, the Missouri National Recreational River is home to one of the few non-channelized portions of the "Big Muddy", and is popular with birdwatchers, hunters, canoers, and kayakers.[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Yankton County SD Google Maps (accessed February 9, 2019)
  4. ^ ""Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed February 9, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  6. ^ "Missouri River Dams". Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  7. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2023". Census.gov. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  12. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  13. ^ "Yankton County Commission". Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  14. ^ "SD Legislature". Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  16. ^ "Yankton County Sheriff". Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  17. ^ "Omaha District > Missions > Dam and Lake Projects > Missouri River Dams > Gavins Point". www.nwo.usace.army.mil. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  18. ^ "National Park Service/MNRR". Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
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43°01′N 97°23′W / 43.01°N 97.39°W / 43.01; -97.39