Editing Edmunds County, South Dakota

{{short description|County in South Dakota, United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Edmunds County
 | state                = South Dakota
 | ex image             = Bank Of Bowdle NRHP 85000183 Edmunds County, SD.jpg
 | ex image size        = 220px
 | ex image cap         = [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Edmunds County, South Dakota|Historic Bank of Bowdle]]
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1873 (founded)<br/>1883 (organized)
 | seat wl              = Ipswich
 | largest city wl      = Ipswich
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1151
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1126
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 25
 | area percentage      = 2.2
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 3986
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 4027 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = edmunds.sdcounties.org
 | named for            = [[Newton Edmunds]]
 | district             = At-large
}}

'''Edmunds County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Dakota]]. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 3,986.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/edmundscountysouthdakota/PST045224 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Ipswich, South Dakota|Ipswich]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704084002/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=July 4, 2012 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=[[National Association of Counties]]}}</ref> The county was established in 1873 and organized in 1883.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies|website=Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The [[Newberry Library]]|date=2006|access-date=March 29, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402202102/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is named for [[Newton Edmunds]], the second Governor of Dakota Territory.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA115|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|publisher=Govt. Print. Off.|author=Gannett, Henry|year=1905|page=115}}</ref>

Edmunds County is part of the [[Aberdeen, South Dakota micropolitan area|Aberdeen, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Geography==
The terrain of Edmunds County consists of rolling hills, mostly dedicated to agriculture. The terrain's highest point is on the west portion of the north boundary line, at {{convert|1,978|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |title="Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed February 2, 2019) |access-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|1151|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1126|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|25|sqmi}} (2.2%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_46.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 24, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Image:US 12.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 12]]
* [[Image:SD 45.svg|20px]] [[South Dakota Highway 45]]
* [[Image:SD 47.svg|20px]] [[South Dakota Highway 47]]
* [[Image:SD 247.svg|23px]] [[South Dakota Highway 247]]
* [[Image:SD 253.svg|23px]] [[South Dakota Highway 253]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[McPherson County, South Dakota|McPherson County]] - north
* [[Brown County, South Dakota|Brown County]] - east
* [[Faulk County, South Dakota|Faulk County]] - south
* [[Potter County, South Dakota|Potter County]] - southwest
* [[Walworth County, South Dakota|Walworth County]] - west
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Bowdle-Hosmer State Game Production Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bowdle-Hosmer+Public+Shooting+Area,+Bowdle,+SD+57428/@45.5825934,-99.691582,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x52d39015f5e489ed:0xd321a568ee395cf!2sEdmunds+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d45.458626!4d-99.181873!3m4!1s0x52d40e1c1a21bdf5:0x2add6a99bc417f27!8m2!3d45.581897!4d-99.6873555 Bowdle-Hosmer Public Shooting Area, Bowdle SD], ''Google Maps''. Retrieved February 2, 2019.</ref>
* Heilman State Game Production Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Heilman+State+Public+Shooting+Area,+Bowdle,+SD+57428/@45.5168809,-99.6092542,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x52d39015f5e489ed:0xd321a568ee395cf!2sEdmunds+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d45.458626!4d-99.181873!3m4!1s0x52d40cc2280307ab:0x2625c0110d7a0c52!8m2!3d45.5173594!4d-99.6064979 Heilman State Public Shooting Area, Bowdle SD], ''Google Maps''. Retrieved February 2, 2019.</ref>
* Hosmer State Game Production Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hosmer+State+Public+Shooting+Area,+Hosmer,+SD+57448/@45.555272,-99.5429522,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x52d39015f5e489ed:0xd321a568ee395cf!2sEdmunds+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d45.458626!4d-99.181873!3m4!1s0x52d40a4cffc8c64b:0x1fedde944922806d!8m2!3d45.5552195!4d-99.5384154 Hosmer State Public Shooting Area, Hosmer SD], ''Google Maps''. Retrieved February 2, 2019.</ref>
* Light State Game Production Area
* Losee State Game Production Area
* Mina Lake State Recreation Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mina+Lake+State+Recreation+Area/@45.4630874,-98.7955985,13.5z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x52d39015f5e489ed:0xd321a568ee395cf!2sEdmunds+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d45.458626!4d-99.181873!3m4!1s0x52d3b2e14fbb7477:0xb29450cd62080f95!8m2!3d45.4456502!4d-98.7408686 Mina Lake State Recreation Area], ''Google Maps''. Retrieved February 2, 2019.</ref>
* Mina State Game Production Area
* North Scatterwood State Game Production Area
* Rosette State Game Production Area
* Schaber State Game Production Area
* Shaner State Game Production Area
* Steigelmier State Game Production Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Steigelmier+State+Public+Shooting+Area,+Onaka,+SD+57466/@45.4198732,-99.4669721,11z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x52d39015f5e489ed:0xd321a568ee395cf!2sEdmunds+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d45.458626!4d-99.181873!3m4!1s0x52d47987cf8e1049:0x82cdbf81ab3ce78e!8m2!3d45.332237!4d-99.5074654 Steigelmier State Public Shooting Area, Onaka SD], ''Google Maps''. Retrieved February 2, 2019.</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Lakes===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Alkali Lake
* Bowdle-Hosmer Lake
* Grass Lake
* Lake Parmley
* North Scatterwood Lake (partial)
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 4399
|1900= 4916
|1910= 7654
|1920= 8336
|1930= 8712
|1940= 7814
|1950= 7275
|1960= 6079
|1970= 5548
|1980= 5159
|1990= 4356
|2000= 4367
|2010= 4071
|2020= 3986
|estyear=2024
|estimate=4027
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 15, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref><br>1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |publisher=University of Virginia Library |url-status=live |date=2007 |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212224028/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |archive-date=December 12, 2009}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|last=Forstall |first=Richard L. |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sd190090.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url-status=live |date=March 27, 1995 |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990219135447/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sd190090.txt |archive-date=February 19, 1999}}</ref><br>1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 3,986 people, 1,546 households, and 1,052 families residing in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Edmunds%20County,%20South%20Dakota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|3.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 1,940 housing units.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 4,071 people, 1,607 households and 1,057 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|3.6|/sqmi}}. There were 1,966 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1.7|/sqmi}}. The racial make-up of the county was 97.8% white, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 70.8% were [[Germans|German]], 11.4% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], 10.1% were [[Russians|Russian]], 5.9% were [[English people|English]] and 2.4% were [[Americans|American]].

Of the 1,607 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.2% were non-families, and 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 45.7 years.

The median household income was $47,026 and the median family income was $56,599. Males had a median income of $37,713 and females $26,287. The per capita income was $24,268. About 6.9% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable events==
{{main|1999 South Dakota Learjet crash}}
Edmunds County is where the [[Learjet]] of the [[PGA Tour|PGA]] golfer [[Payne Stewart]] crashed, killing him and five others on board. The plane crashed just south of the community of [[Mina, South Dakota|Mina]] at the approximate coordinates of 45°25' N 98°45' W.

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Bowdle, South Dakota|Bowdle]]
* [[Hosmer, South Dakota|Hosmer]]
* [[Ipswich, South Dakota|Ipswich]] (county seat)
* [[Roscoe, South Dakota|Roscoe]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Deerfield Colony, South Dakota|Deerfield Colony]]
* [[Mina, South Dakota|Mina]]
* [[Pembrook Colony, South Dakota|Pembrook Colony]]
* [[Plainview Colony, South Dakota|Plainview Colony]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Beebe, South Dakota|Beebe]]
* Craven<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Craven,+SD+57451/@45.4422117,-98.9338632,2715m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x52d3ba5f6cedbf4f:0x20f3f9d3dd9c2c60!8m2!3d45.4421975!4d-98.9251084 Craven SD], ''Google Maps''. Retrieved February 2, 2019.</ref>
* Gretna<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Gretna,+SD+57471/@45.4505489,-99.5235946,2715m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x52d47449d378df5d:0x8c9484cb23354530!8m2!3d45.4505347!4d-99.5148398 Gretna SD], ''Google Maps''. Retrieved February 2, 2019.</ref>
* [[Loyalton, South Dakota|Loyalton]]
* [[Powell, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Powell]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Adrian Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Adrian]]
* [[Belle Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Belle]]
* [[Bowdle Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Bowdle]]
* [[Bryant Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Bryant]]
* [[Clear Lake Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Clear Lake]]
* [[Cleveland Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Cleveland]]
* [[Cloyd Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Cloyd]]
* [[Cortlandt Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Cordlandt]]
* [[Cottonwood Lake Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Cottonwood Lake]]
* [[Fountain Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Fountain]]
* [[Glen Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Glen]]
* [[Glover Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Glover]]
* [[Harmony Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Harmony]]
* [[Hillside Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Hillside]]
* [[Hosmer Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Hosmer]]
* [[Hudson Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Hudson]]
* [[Huntley Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Huntley]]
* [[Ipswich Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Ipswich]]
* [[Kent Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Kent]]
* [[Liberty Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Liberty]]
* [[Madison Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Madison]]
* [[Modena Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Modena]]
* [[Montpelier Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Montpelier]]
* [[North Bryant Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|North Bryant]]
* [[Odessa Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Odessa]]
* [[Pembrook Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Pembrook]]
* [[Powell Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Powell]]
* [[Richland Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Richland]]
* [[Rosette Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Rosette]]
* [[Sangamon Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Sangamon]]
* [[Union Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Union]]
* [[Vermont Township, Edmunds County, South Dakota|Vermont]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Edmunds County voters have long been reliably Republican. Since 1936, in only three elections has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate. Although it was one of only 129 counties nationwide to back [[George McGovern]] in his landslide 1972 defeat, it has voted for fewer Democratic presidential nominees (six) than any other county McGovern carried, with [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1976 the last Democrat to carry the county and [[Kamala Harris]] not passing twenty percent in 2024.
{{PresHead|place=Edmunds County, South Dakota|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|1,618|384|29|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|1,538|417|30|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,433|380|105|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,264|622|50|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,213|819|44|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,434|765|35|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,257|676|53|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,055|973|282|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|944|894|422|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,327|1,259|13|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,553|1,007|10|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,881|883|150|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,294|1,629|9|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|1,567|1,646|3|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,534|1,225|181|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,442|1,708|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,728|1,609|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,685|1,580|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,178|1,013|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|1,493|1,253|19|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,762|961|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,341|1,443|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,818|2,030|40|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,183|2,588|65|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,743|1,597|15|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|1,043|277|1,141|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,486|283|693|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|894|634|84|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|0|729|755|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|726|658|64|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|786|353|54|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|621|553|21|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|371|510|7|South Dakota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|386|156|331|South Dakota}}

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st46_sd/schooldistrict_maps/c46045_edmunds/DC20SD_C46045.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Edmunds County, SD|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=January 14, 2021|access-date=2025-05-01}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st46_sd/schooldistrict_maps/c46045_edmunds/DC20SD_C46045_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Bowdle School District 22-1]]
* [[Faulkton School District 24-4]]
* [[Edmunds Central School District 22-5]]
* [[Hoven School District 53-2]]
* [[Ipswich School District 22-6]]
* [[Northwestern Area School District 56-7]]
* [[Warner School District 06-5]]

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Edmunds County, South Dakota]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Edmunds County, South Dakota
|North     = [[McPherson County, South Dakota|McPherson County]]
|East      = [[Brown County, South Dakota|Brown County]]
|South     = [[Faulk County, South Dakota|Faulk County]]
|Southwest = [[Potter County, South Dakota|Potter County]]
|West      = [[Walworth County, South Dakota|Walworth County]]
}}

{{Edmunds County, South Dakota}}
{{South Dakota}}

{{coord|45.41|-99.21|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-SD_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Edmunds County, South Dakota| ]]
[[Category:Aberdeen, South Dakota micropolitan area]]
[[Category:1883 establishments in Dakota Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1883]]