Editing Meade County, South Dakota

{{short description|County in South Dakota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Meade County
 | state                = South Dakota
 | ex image             = Black Hills National Cemetery.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Black Hills National Cemetery]]
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = February 7
 | founded year         = 1889
 | seat wl              = Sturgis
 | largest city         = Sturgis
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 3483
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 3471
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 12
 | area percentage      = 0.3
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 29852
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 30918 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Mountain
 | web                  = www.meadecounty.org
 | named for            = [[George Meade]]
 | district             = At-large
}}

'''Meade County''' is a county in the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Dakota]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 29,852, making it the [[List of counties in South Dakota|6th most populous county in South Dakota]].<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/meadecountysouthdakota/PST045223 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=March 21, 2024}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Sturgis, South Dakota|Sturgis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was created in 1889 and named for Fort Meade, which was garrisoned as a United States military post in the area in 1878 and itself named for General [[George Meade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southdakotamagazine.com/meade-county|title=Cattle and Hogs|date=June 14, 2016|last=Andrews|first=John|website=[[South Dakota Magazine]]}}</ref>

Meade County is part of the [[Rapid City metropolitan area]].

==Geography==
The upper part of Meade County is drained by Cherry Creek. The [[Cheyenne River]] flows northeastward along the southeast boundary of the county. The county terrain has mountain ridges in the west and southwest areas, with the remainder consisting of semi-arid rolling hills, partly dedicated to agriculture.<ref name="MCSD">{{Cite web |title=Meade County · South Dakota |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Meade+County,+SD/@44.5895839,-103.3476149,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x532d344fcb3c7aff:0x132792cf865697e3!8m2!3d44.4415188!4d-102.6855069 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Google Maps |language=en}}</ref> The county terrain slopes to the east and northeast; its highest point Flagstaff Mountain is near the southwest corner, at {{convert|5,421|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 6, 2019) |access-date=February 7, 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 an area of {{convert|3483|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|3471|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|12|sqmi}} (0.3%) 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 28, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref> It is South Dakota's largest county by area.

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Image:I-90.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 90 in South Dakota|Interstate 90]]
* [[Image:US 14.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 14 in South Dakota|U.S. Highway 14]]
* [[U.S. Highway 14A]]
* [[Image:US 212.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Route 212|U.S. Highway 212]]
* [[Image:SD 34.svg|20px]] [[South Dakota Highway 34]]
* [[Image:SD 73.svg|20px]] [[South Dakota Highway 73]]
* [[Image:SD 79.svg|20px]] [[South Dakota Highway 79]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Perkins County, South Dakota|Perkins County]] - north
* [[Ziebach County, South Dakota|Ziebach County]] - east
* [[Haakon County, South Dakota|Haakon County]] -southeast
* [[Pennington County, South Dakota|Pennington County]] - south
* [[Lawrence County, South Dakota|Lawrence County]] - southwest
* [[Butte County, South Dakota|Butte County]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas===
Source:<ref name=MCSD/>
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* Bear Butte Lake State Lakeside Use Area
* [[Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[Bear Butte State Park]]
* Black Hills National Cemetery
* [[Black Hills National Forest]] (partial)
* Curlew Lake State Game Production Area
* Marcotte State Game Production Area
* Tisdale Lake State Game Production Area
* Opal Lake State Game Production Area
{{div col end}}

===Lakes===
Source:<ref name=MCSD/>
* Bear Butte Lake
* Curlew Lake
* Durkee Lake
* Opal Lake
* Tisdale Dam

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 4640
|1900= 4907
|1910= 12640
|1920= 9367
|1930= 11482
|1940= 9735
|1950= 11516
|1960= 12044
|1970= 16618
|1980= 20717
|1990= 21878
|2000= 24253
|2010= 25434
|2020= 29852
|estyear=2024
|estimate=30918
|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 29,852 people, 11,365 households, and 7,863 families residing in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Mellette%20County,%20South%20Dakota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|8.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 12,357 housing units.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 25,434 people, 9,903 households, and 7,067 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|7.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 11,000 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3.2|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the county was 92.0% white, 2.3% American Indian, 1.3% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 40.5% were [[Germans|German]], 15.3% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 13.2% were [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], 11.3% were [[English people|English]], and 6.9% were [[Americans|American]].

Of the 9,903 households, 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.6% were non-families, and 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 35.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,180 and the median income for a family was $54,200. Males had a median income of $34,113 versus $27,548 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,045. About 6.6% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Box Elder, South Dakota|Box Elder]] (part)
* [[Faith, South Dakota|Faith]]
* [[Piedmont, South Dakota|Piedmont]]
* [[Sturgis, South Dakota|Sturgis]] (county seat)
* [[Summerset, South Dakota|Summerset]]
{{div col end}}

===Town===
* [[Buffalo Chip, South Dakota|Buffalo Chip]]

===Census-designated places===
* [[Blackhawk, South Dakota|Blackhawk]]
* [[Blucksberg Mountain, South Dakota|Blucksberg Mountain]]
* [[Ellsworth Air Force Base|Ellsworth AFB]] (former)
* [[Wonderland Homes, South Dakota|Wonderland Homes]]

===Unincorporated communities===
Source:<ref name=MCSD/>
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
* [[Bend, South Dakota|Bend]] 
* [[Boneita Springs, South Dakota|Boneita Springs]]
* [[Cedar Canyon, South Dakota|Cedar Canyon]]
* [[Dalzell, South Dakota|Dalzell]]
* [[Elm Springs, South Dakota|Elm Springs]]
* [[Enning, South Dakota|Enning]]
* [[Fairpoint, South Dakota|Fairpoint]]
* Fox Ridge
* [[Haydraw, South Dakota|Haydraw]]
* [[Hereford, South Dakota|Hereford]]
* [[Howes, South Dakota|Howes]]
* [[Marcus, South Dakota|Marcus]]
* [[Maurine, South Dakota|Maurine]]
* [[Mud Butte, South Dakota|Mud Butte]]
* [[Opal, South Dakota|Opal]]
* [[Plainview, South Dakota|Plainview]]
* [[Redowl, South Dakota|Redowl]]
* [[Stoneville, South Dakota|Stoneville]]
* [[Tilford, South Dakota|Tilford]]
* [[Union Center, South Dakota|Union Center]]
* [[Viewfield, South Dakota|Viewfield]]
* [[White Owl, South Dakota|White Owl]]
* Postville{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
* Dakota
* Eagle
* Elm Springs
* Howard
* Lakeside
* Smithville
* Upper Red Owl
{{div col end}}

===Unorganized territories===
* Belle Fourche-Cheyenne Valleys
* North Meade
* Southwest Meade

==Politics==
Like most of the Black Hills, Meade County is heavily Republican. It last supported a Democrat for president in 1964. 
{{PresHead|place=Meade County, South Dakota|whig=no|source1=<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/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|10,887|3,421|364|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|9,875|3,285|510|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|8,441|2,223|957|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|7,566|2,928|323|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|7,515|3,751|340|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|8,347|2,941|216|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|6,870|2,267|229|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|4,984|2,960|1,232|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|4,724|2,694|2,657|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,189|3,212|72|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,908|2,093|40|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|5,349|1,721|471|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,096|2,478|116|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,416|1,633|31|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,392|1,522|343|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,140|2,323|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,644|1,923|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,467|1,658|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,109|1,334|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,053|1,681|35|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,912|1,164|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,560|1,931|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,064|2,304|248|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,735|2,687|186|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,845|1,441|22|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,006|786|701|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,894|894|457|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|858|1,224|161|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|0|975|1,255|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|953|792|115|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|754|268|124|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|550|565|10|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|550|802|4|South Dakota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Populist|427|128|613|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/c46093_meade/DC20SD_C46093.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Meade County, SD|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=January 14, 2021|access-date=2024-09-27}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st46_sd/schooldistrict_maps/c46093_meade/DC20SD_C46093_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Douglas School District 51-1]]
* [[Faith School District 46-2]]
* [[New Underwood School District 51-3]]
* [[Newell School District 09-2]]
* [[Rapid City School District 51-4]]
* [[Meade School District 46-1]]
* [[Wall School District 51-5]]

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

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

==External links==
* [http://www.meadecounty.org/ Meade County government website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050128051826/http://www.northernblackhillsweeklygroup.com/meade_county Meade County Times-Tribune - local newspaper]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Meade County, South Dakota
|North     = [[Perkins County, South Dakota|Perkins County]]
|East      = [[Ziebach County, South Dakota|Ziebach County]]
|Southeast = [[Haakon County, South Dakota|Haakon County]]
|South     = [[Pennington County, South Dakota|Pennington County]]
|Southwest = [[Lawrence County, South Dakota|Lawrence County]]
|Northwest = [[Butte County, South Dakota|Butte County]]
}}

{{Meade County, South Dakota}}
{{South Dakota}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|44.57|-102.71|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-SD_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Meade County, South Dakota| ]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in Dakota Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1889]]
[[Category:Rapid City, South Dakota metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Black Hills]]