Brookings County, South Dakota

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Brookings County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,375,<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref> making it the fifth most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat is Brookings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The county was created in 1862 and organized in 1871.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Brookings County comprises the Brookings, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the location of South Dakota State University.

History

The county was organized July 3, 1871, and was named for Wilmot Wood Brookings (1830-1905), a politician and pioneer of southeastern South Dakota. Medary was the first county seat, from 1871 to 1879, when it was moved to the city of Brookings.

Geography

File:Brookings Co SD Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf

Soils of Brookings County

Brookings County is on the east side of South Dakota. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Minnesota. The Big Sioux River flows south-southeastward through the east central part of the county; its point of entry into Moody County marks Brookings County's lowest elevation: Template:Convert ASL.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The county terrain consists of sloped flatlands, marked by numerous lakes and ponds especially in the western part. The area is largely devoted to agricultural use.<ref>Brookings County SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)</ref> The county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (1.6%) is water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Major highways

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Airports

Aurora Prairie Nature Preserve<ref>Aurora Prairie Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)</ref>
Black Slough State Game Production Area
Brookings County State Game Production Area
Brookings Prairie Park<ref>Brookings Prairie Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)</ref>
Dakota Nature Park<ref>Dakota Nature Park Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)</ref>
Deer Creek State Game Production Area
Kvernmoe Slough State Game Production Area
Lake Hendricks State Lakeside Use Area
Lake Poinsett State Recreation Area
Mehegan State Game Production Area
Moe Slough State game Production Area
Nelson State Game Production Area
Oak Lake State Game Production Area
Oakwood Lake State Game Production Area
Oakwood Lakes State Park

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Demographics

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 34,375 people, 13,120 households, and 7,419 families residing in the county.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 14,849 housing units.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 31,965 people, 12,029 households, and 6,623 families in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 13,137 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% white, 2.7% Asian, 0.9% American Indian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.9% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 47.9% were German, 24.3% were Norwegian, 11.9% were Irish, 6.9% were English, 6.1% were Dutch, and 2.0% were American.

Of the 12,029 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.9% were non-families, and 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 26.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,134 and the median income for a family was $63,338. Males had a median income of $40,425 versus $30,023 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,995. About 5.9% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.