Editing Yankton County, South Dakota

{{short description|County in South Dakota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Yankton County
 | state                = South Dakota
 | ex image             = Scottish Rite Masonic Center (Yankton SD) from E 1.JPG
 | ex image size        = 300px
 | ex image cap         = Scottish Rite Masonic Center in [[Yankton, South Dakota|Yankton]]. 
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = April 10
 | founded year         = 1862
 | seat wl              = Yankton
 | largest city wl      = Yankton
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 532
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 521
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 11
 | area percentage      = 2.1
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 23310
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 23509 {{increase}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = www.co.yankton.sd.us
 | named for            = [[Yankton Sioux]]
 | district             = At-large
}}
[[File:Missouri River in winter downstream from Yankton, South Dakota.jpg|thumb|[[Missouri River]] in winter downstream from Yankton, with Nebraska below and South Dakota above. This stretch of the river is part of the 59-mile reach of the [[Missouri National Recreational River]].|300px]]

'''Yankton County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Dakota]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 23,310, making it the [[List of counties in South Dakota|9th most populous county in South Dakota]].<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/yanktoncountysouthdakota/PST045224 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=March 20, 2024}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Yankton, South Dakota|Yankton]].<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|archive-date=May 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509170006/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Yankton County comprises the Yankton, SD [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Geography==
[[File:Lewis & Clark Lake and Dam NE.jpg|thumb|right|[[Gavins Point Dam]], impounding [[Lewis and Clark Lake]] on the [[Missouri River]] in the southwestern part of Yankton County.]]
[[File:LewisandClarkSRA.jpg|thumb|right|View of [[Lewis and Clark Lake]] from [[Lewis & Clark Recreation Area]] along the South Dakota shore, west of Yankton.]]
Yankton County lies on the south side of South Dakota. Its south boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the state of [[Nebraska]] (across the [[Missouri River]]). The Missouri flows eastward along the county's south border. The [[James River (Dakotas)|James River]] flows south-southeastward through the west central portion of the county, discharging into the Missouri near the midpoint of the county's south line. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, carved by creeks and drainages, hosting several lakes and ponds. The area is devoted to agriculture.<ref name=YCSD>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Yankton+County,+SD/@43.0354538,-97.5236102,11.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x878f0bd498a60b05:0x419a6b0a4a6476b9!8m2!3d43.016179!4d-97.3516558 ''Yankton County SD''  Google Maps (accessed February 9, 2019)]</ref> The terrain slopes to the south and the east. Its highest point is {{convert|1,473|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL, on the eastern portion of its north boundary line.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |title="Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed February 9, 2019) |access-date=February 10, 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|532|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|521|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|11|sqmi}} (2.1%) 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|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208142443/http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_46.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Lewis and Clark Lake|Lewis & Clark Lake]], a popular regional tourist and recreational destination is found in the southwestern part of the county.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Gavins-Point/ |title=Missouri River Dams |access-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216210904/https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Gavins-Point/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
*[[Image:US 81.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 81 in South Dakota|U.S. Highway 81]]
*[[Image:SD 46.svg|20px]] [[South Dakota Highway 46]]
*[[Image:SD 50.svg|20px]] [[South Dakota Highway 50]]
*[[Image:SD 52.svg|20px]] [[South Dakota Highway 52]]
*[[Image:SD 153.svg|23px]] [[South Dakota Highway 153]]
*[[Image:SD 314.svg|23px]] [[South Dakota Highway 314]]
{{div col end}}

===Airports===
*[[Chan Gurney Municipal Airport]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Turner County, South Dakota|Turner County]] - northeast
* [[Clay County, South Dakota|Clay County]] - east
* [[Cedar County, Nebraska]] - southeast
* [[Knox County, Nebraska]] - southwest
* [[Bon Homme County, South Dakota|Bon Homme County]] - west
* [[Hutchinson County, South Dakota|Hutchinson County]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas<ref name=YCSD/>===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Chief White Crane Recreation Area|Chief White Crane State Recreation Area]]
* Dakota Territorial Capitol Building/Riverside Park
* Diede Waterfowl Production Area
* Edelman Waterfowl Production Area
* [[Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery]]
* Hansen Waterfowl Production Area
* [[Lewis & Clark Recreation Area|Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area]]
* [[Missouri National Recreational River]] (part)
* [[Pierson Ranch Recreation Area|Pierson Ranch State Recreation Area]]
{{div col end}}

===Lakes and reservoirs===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* Beaver Lake
* Guthmiller Lake
* [[Lake Yankton (South Dakota)|Lake Yankton]]
* [[Lewis and Clark Lake]] (part)
* [[Marindahl Lake]]
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 2097
|1880= 8390
|1890= 10414
|1900= 12649
|1910= 13135
|1920= 15233
|1930= 16589
|1940= 16725
|1950= 16804
|1960= 17551
|1970= 19039
|1980= 18952
|1990= 19252
|2000= 21652
|2010= 22438
|2020= 23310
|estyear=2024
|estimate=23509
|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 23,310 people, 9,435 households, and 5,693 families in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Yankton%20County,%20South%20Dakota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=March 20, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|44.7|PD/sqmi}}. There were 10,372 housing units.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 22,438 people, 8,770 households, and 5,476 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|43.1|PD/sqmi}}. There were 9,652 housing units at an average density of {{convert|18.5|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the county was 92.8% white, 2.5% American Indian, 1.5% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry.

Of the 8,770 households, 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.6% were non-families, and 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 41.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,124 and the median income for a family was $62,070. Males had a median income of $37,637 versus $29,488 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,776. About 5.0% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Irene, South Dakota|Irene]] (partial)
* [[Yankton, South Dakota|Yankton]] (county seat)

===Towns===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Gayville, South Dakota|Gayville]]
* [[Lesterville, South Dakota|Lesterville]]
* [[Mission Hill, South Dakota|Mission Hill]]
* [[Utica, South Dakota|Utica]]
* [[Volin, South Dakota|Volin]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated place===
* [[Jamesville Colony, South Dakota|Jamesville Colony]]

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* Gayville
* Jamesville
* Marindahl
* Mayfield
* Mission Hill
* Turkey Valley
* Utica
* Volin
* Walshtown
{{div col end}}

===Unorganized territories===
* Southeast Yankton
* West Yankton

==Politics and government==
Yankton County is Governed by the County Commission, a five-member legislative body elected at-large.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yankton County Commission |url=http://www.co.yankton.sd.us/custom/commission-yankton-county |access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref> The current commissioners are:
* John Marquardt, Chairman
* Wanda Howey-Fox, Vice Chairman
* Don Kettering
* Ryan Heine
* Dan Klimisch

The county is located in [[South Dakota Legislature|South Dakota Legislative District 18]]. As of 2024, Yankton County is represented in the [[South Dakota Senate]] by Senator [[Jean Hunhoff]]-[[South Dakota Republican Party|(R)]], and in the [[South Dakota House of Representatives]] by State Representatives [[Mike Stevens (South Dakota politician)|Mike Stevens]]-[[South Dakota Republican Party|(R)]] and [[Ryan Cwach]]-[[South Dakota Democratic Party|(D)]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/ContactLegislator.aspx?Session=2019 |title=SD Legislature |access-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110133646/http://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/ContactLegislator.aspx?Session=2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The county is located in [[South Dakota's at-large congressional district|South Dakota's At-Large Congressional District]], currently held by Republican [[Dusty Johnson]].

In national elections, Yankton County voters have been reliably Republican for several decades. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.
{{PresHead|place=Yankton 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|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|6,650|3,883|299|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|6,581|4,016|303|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,659|3,301|663|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,495|4,226|253|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,039|4,838|257|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|6,003|4,237|191|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,904|3,596|240|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,885|3,775|1,166|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,430|3,404|2,538|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,186|3,777|80|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,161|2,932|52|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|5,355|2,698|694|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|4,029|3,987|71|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,366|3,835|24|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,977|2,733|382|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,208|3,747|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|4,065|3,061|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|4,063|2,987|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,802|2,220|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,904|2,932|57|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|3,313|2,359|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|4,179|3,064|0|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,702|4,349|387|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,693|4,930|107|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,971|2,841|27|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|1,504|693|1,584|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,555|1,147|432|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,429|1,438|70|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|0|1,289|1,639|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,644|1,118|132|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,968|788|95|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,639|1,268|33|South Dakota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|1,423|1,330|16|South Dakota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|1,166|228|766|South Dakota}}

The Yankton County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement in the county and operates the 120-bed county jail. {{As of|2021}} the current [[Sheriff]] is Preston Crissey.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yankton County Sheriff |url=https://www.yanktonsheriffsoffice.com/ |access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>

==Recreation and tourism==
[[Lewis and Clark Lake]] is located in southwestern Yankton County, {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} west of Yankton. The Lewis & Clark Lake area is a popular regional tourist and recreation destination with parks, trails, campgrounds, boat ramps, and marinas. [[Gavins Point Dam]], which creates Lewis & Clark Lake, is a popular fishing destination on the Missouri River.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Gavins-Point/|title=Omaha District > Missions > Dam and Lake Projects > Missouri River Dams > Gavins Point|website=www.nwo.usace.army.mil|language=en-US|access-date=April 15, 2018|archive-date=April 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422142314/http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Gavins-Point/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks]] operates the [[Lewis & Clark Recreation Area|Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area]] on the northern shore of the lake.

Below Gavins Point Dam, the [[Missouri National Recreational River]] is home to one of the few non-channelized portions of the "Big Muddy", and is popular with birdwatchers, hunters, canoers, and kayakers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/mnrr/index.htm |title=National Park Service/MNRR |access-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806054912/https://www.nps.gov/mnrr/index.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Yankton County, South Dakota}}
*[http://www.co.yankton.sd.us/ Yankton County (Official website)]
*[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/yanktoncountysouthdakota U.S. Census Data - Yankton County]
*{{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Yankton (city)|display=Yankton, a S. E. county of Dakota |short=x}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Yankton County, South Dakota
|Northeast = [[Turner County, South Dakota|Turner County]]
|East      = [[Clay County, South Dakota|Clay County]]
|Southeast = [[Cedar County, Nebraska]]
|Southwest = [[Knox County, Nebraska]]
|West      = [[Bon Homme County, South Dakota|Bon Homme County]]
|Northwest = [[Hutchinson County, South Dakota|Hutchinson County]]
}}

{{Yankton County, South Dakota}}
{{South Dakota}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|43.01|-97.39|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-SD_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Yankton County, South Dakota| ]]
[[Category:South Dakota placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:South Dakota counties on the Missouri River]]
[[Category:1862 establishments in Dakota Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1862]]