Mellette County, South Dakota

Mellette County, South Dakota
Location in the state of South Dakota
South Dakota's location in the U.S.
Founded	1909
Named for	Arthur C. Mellette
Seat	White River
Largest city	White River
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,310 sq mi (3,392 km²) 1,306 sq mi (3,384 km²) 3 sq mi (8 km²), 0.25%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	2,048 1/sq mi (0/km²)
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5

Mellette County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,048.^[1] Its county seat is White River.^[2] The county was named after Arthur C. Mellette (June 25, 1842 – May 25, 1896) who was the last Governor of the Dakota Territory and was the first Governor of the state of South Dakota.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,310 square miles (3,400 km²), of which 1,306 square miles (3,380 km²) is land and 3 square miles (7.8 km²) (0.25%) is water.

Townships

The county is divided into sixteen townships: Bad Nation, Blackpipe, Butte, Cody, Fairview, Mosher, New Surprise Valley, Norris, Prospect, Red Fish, Ring Thunder, Riverside, Rocky Ford, Rosebud, Running Bird, and Surprise Valley; and two areas of unorganized territory: Cedarbutte and Central Mellette.

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 83
• South Dakota Highway 44
• South Dakota Highway 53
• South Dakota Highway 63

Adjacent counties

• Jones County, South Dakota - north
• Lyman County, South Dakota - northeast
• Tripp County, South Dakota - east
• Todd County, South Dakota - south
• Jackson County, South Dakota - west

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1910	1,700		—
1920	3,850		126.5%
1930	5,293		37.5%
1940	4,107		−22.4%
1950	3,046		−25.8%
1960	2,664		−12.5%
1970	2,420		−9.2%
1980	2,249		−7.1%
1990	2,137		−5.0%
2000	2,083		−2.5%
2010	2,048		−1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census^[3] of 2000, there were 2,083 people, 694 households, and 498 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 824 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 44.74% White, 52.42% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 2.50% from two or more races. 1.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 694 households out of which 38.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.80% were married couples living together, 16.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.49.

In the county, the population was spread out with 35.30% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $23,219, and the median income for a family was $25,221. Males had a median income of $17,989 versus $17,989 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,362. About 30.40% of families and 35.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.70% of those under age 18 and 21.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• White River 581
• Wood 62

2010 United States Census population^[4]

See also

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

References

1. ^ United States Census Bureau. "2010 Census Data". United States Census Bureau. http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
3. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
4. ^ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions: South Dakota". Population Census. 2010 United States Census. 2011-07-18. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL1.ST13&prodType=table. Retrieved 2011-08-04. 

Coordinates: 43°35′N 100°46′W / 43.58°N 100.76°W / 43.58; -100.76