Union County, South Dakota

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Union County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,811,<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref> making it the 13th most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat has been Elk Point since April 30, 1865.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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 metropolitan 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".

History

Founded on April 10, 1862, as Cole County, it was renamed Union County on January 7, 1864, when its boundaries were changed to encompass land previously part of neighboring Lincoln County. The county seat was moved from Richland to Elk Point on April 30, 1865.

Geography

Union County lies on the southeast corner of South Dakota. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the State of Iowa (across the Big Sioux River), and its south/southwest boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the State of Nebraska (across the Missouri River). The Brule Creek flows southeasterly across the central part of the county, emptying into the Big Sioux. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, devoted to agriculture except around built-up areas.<ref name=UCSD>Union County SD Google Maps (accessed February 9, 2019)</ref> The terrain slopes to the south and east; its highest point is near its northwest corner, at Template:Convert ASL.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (1.4%) is water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is the fifth-smallest county in South Dakota by area.

Adams Homestead and State Nature Preserve
Bent River State Game Production Area
Bolton State Game Production Area
Cusick State game Production Area
Cut Off Bend State Game Production Area
Missouri National Recreational River (partial)
Petry-Conway State Game Production Area
Petry/Harmelink State Game Production Area
Ryan State Game Production Area
Union Grove State Park
Warren Wilderness State Game Production Area

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Lakes<ref name=UCSD/>

Burbank Lake (partial)
McCook Lake
Mud Lake

Demographics

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 16,811 people, 6,822 households, and 4,613 families in the county.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,215 housing units.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 14,399 people, 5,756 households, and 4,043 families in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 6,280 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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.