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Yankton County, South Dakota facts for kids

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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.
Country  United States
State  South Dakota
Founded April 10, 1862
Named for Yankton Sioux
Seat Yankton
Largest city Yankton
Area
 • Total 532 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Land 521 sq mi (1,350 km2)
 • Water 11 sq mi (30 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 23,310
 • Estimate 
(2023)
23,517 Increase
 • Density 43.82/sq mi (16.917/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district At-large
Missouri River in winter downstream from Yankton, South Dakota
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.

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. Its county seat is Yankton. Yankton County comprises the Yankton, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Lewis & Clark Lake and Dam NE
Gavins Point Dam, impounding Lewis and Clark Lake on the Missouri River in the southwestern part of Yankton County.
LewisandClarkSRA
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. 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. 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.

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

Major highways

  • US 81.svg U.S. Highway 81
  • SD 46.svg South Dakota Highway 46
  • SD 50.svg South Dakota Highway 50
  • SD 52.svg South Dakota Highway 52
  • SD 153.svg South Dakota Highway 153
  • SD 314.svg South Dakota Highway 314

Airports

  • Chan Gurney Municipal Airport

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Lakes and reservoirs

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 2,097
1880 8,390 300.1%
1890 10,414 24.1%
1900 12,649 21.5%
1910 13,135 3.8%
1920 15,233 16.0%
1930 16,589 8.9%
1940 16,725 0.8%
1950 16,804 0.5%
1960 17,551 4.4%
1970 19,039 8.5%
1980 18,952 −0.5%
1990 19,252 1.6%
2000 21,652 12.5%
2010 22,438 3.6%
2020 23,310 3.9%
2023 (est.) 23,517 4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

2020 census

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

2010 census

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

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

  • Jamesville Colony

Townships

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

Unorganized territories

  • Southeast Yankton
  • West Yankton

Recreation and tourism

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. 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.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Yankton para niños

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