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Custer County, South Dakota

Coordinates: 43°41′N 103°28′W / 43.68°N 103.46°W / 43.68; -103.46
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Custer County
County
Custer County Courthouse
Custer County Courthouse
Official seal of Custer County
Seal
Map of South Dakota highlighting Custer County
Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting South Dakota
South Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°41′N 103°28′W / 43.68°N 103.46°W / 43.68; -103.46
Country United States
State South Dakota
Founded1875 (created)
1877 (organized)
Named forGeorge Armstrong Custer
SeatCuster
Largest cityCuster
Area
 • Total
1,559 sq mi (4,040 km2)
 • Land1,557 sq mi (4,030 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
8,318
 • Estimate 
(2023)
9,117 Increase
 • Density5.3/sq mi (2.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.custercountysd.com

Custer County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,318.[1] Its county seat is Custer.[2] The county was created in 1875, and was organized in 1877.[3] It was named after General George Armstrong Custer.

Custer County is home to two of the three longest caves in the United States: Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.

Geography

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Custer County lies on the west line of South Dakota. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of Wyoming. The Cheyenne River flows northeastward along the upper portion of the county's east boundary. Battle Creek flows southeastward in the upper eastern part of the county, discharging into Cheyenne River along the county's northeastern boundary line. Spring Creek flows northeastward through the upper eastern part of the county, discharging into the river just north of the county border. The county terrain is mountainous, especially its western portion.[4] The terrain slopes to the east; its lowest point is its NE corner at 2,461 ft (750 m) above sea level (ASL). Its highest point is a mountain crest along the north boundary line, at 6,657 ft (2,029 m) ASL.[5]

Custer County has a total area of 1,559 square miles (4,040 km2), of which 1,557 square miles (4,030 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.1%) is water.[6]

Major highways

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Custer County sign on US16/US385

Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880995—
18904,891391.6%
19002,728−44.2%
19104,45863.4%
19203,907−12.4%
19305,35337.0%
19406,02312.5%
19505,517−8.4%
19604,906−11.1%
19704,698−4.2%
19806,00027.7%
19906,1793.0%
20007,27517.7%
20108,21612.9%
20208,3181.2%
2023 (est.)9,117[7]9.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 8,318 people, 3,794 households, and 2,552 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 5.3 inhabitants per square mile (2.0/km2). There were 4,837 housing units.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 8,216 people, 3,636 households, and 2,427 families in the county. The population density was 5.3 inhabitants per square mile (2.0/km2). There were 4,628 housing units at an average density of 3.0 units per square mile (1.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.2% white, 2.9% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.4% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 42.1% were German, 13.1% were Irish, 11.4% were English, 10.8% were Norwegian, and 7.9% were American.

Of the 3,636 households, 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.3% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.65. The median age was 50.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,743 and the median income for a family was $58,253. Males had a median income of $39,194 versus $29,375 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,353. About 4.3% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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City

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Towns

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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The county is divided into two areas of territory:

  • East of Custer State Park
  • West of Custer State Park

Politics

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Custer County voters are strongly Republican. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate, and even then, Lyndon B. Johnson only narrowly won the county by 34 votes and a margin of less than 1.5%.

United States presidential election results for Custer County, South Dakota[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 4,313 71.87% 1,567 26.11% 121 2.02%
2020 3,852 70.11% 1,522 27.70% 120 2.18%
2016 3,293 69.75% 1,121 23.74% 307 6.50%
2012 3,062 67.74% 1,335 29.54% 123 2.72%
2008 2,909 64.54% 1,475 32.73% 123 2.73%
2004 2,922 67.89% 1,272 29.55% 110 2.56%
2000 2,495 69.83% 955 26.73% 123 3.44%
1996 1,740 51.83% 1,122 33.42% 495 14.75%
1992 1,422 42.28% 1,078 32.05% 863 25.66%
1988 1,806 59.49% 1,180 38.87% 50 1.65%
1984 2,183 71.27% 858 28.01% 22 0.72%
1980 2,057 69.61% 708 23.96% 190 6.43%
1976 1,373 57.09% 995 41.37% 37 1.54%
1972 1,476 64.48% 798 34.86% 15 0.66%
1968 1,143 55.38% 727 35.22% 194 9.40%
1964 1,142 49.27% 1,176 50.73% 0 0.00%
1960 1,533 63.58% 878 36.42% 0 0.00%
1956 1,514 63.96% 853 36.04% 0 0.00%
1952 1,725 72.57% 652 27.43% 0 0.00%
1948 1,217 56.66% 917 42.69% 14 0.65%
1944 1,288 64.40% 712 35.60% 0 0.00%
1940 1,796 60.94% 1,151 39.06% 0 0.00%
1936 1,365 46.88% 1,519 52.16% 28 0.96%
1932 977 38.05% 1,548 60.28% 43 1.67%
1928 1,464 66.85% 715 32.65% 11 0.50%
1924 833 53.36% 236 15.12% 492 31.52%
1920 784 60.82% 383 29.71% 122 9.46%
1916 392 42.11% 488 52.42% 51 5.48%
1912 0 0.00% 419 45.89% 494 54.11%
1908 487 49.39% 428 43.41% 71 7.20%
1904 536 65.53% 228 27.87% 54 6.60%
1900 483 53.37% 415 45.86% 7 0.77%
1896 429 45.30% 515 54.38% 3 0.32%
1892 503 49.27% 166 16.26% 352 34.48%

Education

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School districts include:[14]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Custer County, South Dakota.

References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  4. ^ Custer County SD Google Maps (accessed February 1, 2019)
  5. ^ ""Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed February 1, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  7. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2023". Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "US Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  12. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  14. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Custer County, SD" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2024. - Text list

43°41′N 103°28′W / 43.68°N 103.46°W / 43.68; -103.46

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