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Aurora County, South Dakota

Coordinates: 43°43′N 98°34′W / 43.72°N 98.57°W / 43.72; -98.57
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Not to be confused with Aurora, South Dakota.

Aurora County
County
Aurora County courthouse in Plankinton
Aurora County courthouse in Plankinton
Map of South Dakota highlighting Aurora 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°43′N 98°34′W / 43.72°N 98.57°W / 43.72; -98.57
Country United States
State South Dakota
Founded1879 (created)
1881 (organized)
Named forAurora, a Roman goddess
SeatPlankinton
Largest cityPlankinton
Area
 • Total
713 sq mi (1,850 km2)
 • Land708 sq mi (1,830 km2)
 • Water4.3 sq mi (11 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
2,747
 • Estimate 
(2023)
2,782 Increase
 • Density3.9/sq mi (1.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large

Aurora County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,747.[1] The county was created in 1879, and was organized in 1881.[2]

History

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Aurora County, named for Aurora, the Roman goddess of the dawn, was created by the Dakota Territory on October 1, 1879.[3] It was organized on August 29, 1881, when three county commissioners were appointed. The county had been established from the combination of former counties Cragin and Wetmore, which had both been formed in 1873. The three county commissioners met on August 29, 1881, and named Plankinton the county seat, an act which was ratified by voters in November 1882. The northern portion of Aurora County was partitioned off on April 17, 1883, and established as Jerauld County.[4]

Geography

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The terrain of Aurora County consists of low rolling hills, partially devoted to agriculture. It is dotted with small lakes and ponds.[5] The highest point is the upper west boundary line, and the terrain slopes east-northeastward; the lowest point is the county's northeast corner at 1,325 ft (404 m) ASL.[6]

The county has a total area of 713 square miles (1,850 km2), of which 708 square miles (1,830 km2) is land and 4.3 square miles (11 km2) (0.6%) is water.[7]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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  • Crystal Lake Public Shooting Area[8]
  • Hanson Lake State Public Shooting Area[9]
  • Kimball State Public Shooting Area[10]
  • Koch Waterfowl Production Area[11]
  • Kramer Slaugh Public Shooting Area[12]
  • Krell Waterfowl Production Area[13]
  • Lutz Waterfowl Production Area[14]
  • Maine Waterfowl Production Area[15]
  • National Waterfowl Production Area[16]
  • Pleasant Lake State Public Shooting Area[17]
  • Schute Waterfowl Production Area[18]
  • Sorenson Waterfowl Production Area[19]
  • Wilmarth Lake Game Production Area[20]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
188069—
18905,0457,211.6%
19004,011−20.5%
19106,14353.2%
19207,24618.0%
19307,139−1.5%
19405,387−24.5%
19505,020−6.8%
19604,749−5.4%
19704,183−11.9%
19803,628−13.3%
19903,136−13.6%
20003,058−2.5%
20102,710−11.4%
20202,7471.4%
2023 (est.)2,782[21]1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[22]
1790-1960[23] 1900-1990[24]
1990-2000[25] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, there were 2,747 people, 1,096 households, and 746 families residing in the county.[26] The population density was 3.9 inhabitants per square mile (1.5/km2). There were 1,260 housing units.

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 2,710 people, 1,102 households, and 736 families residing in the county. The population density was 3.8 inhabitants per square mile (1.5/km2). There were 1,324 housing units at an average density of 1.9 per square mile (0.73/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.1% white, 1.5% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 1.8% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 54.3% were German, 13.7% were Dutch, 11.8% were Norwegian, 8.7% were Irish, 7.2% were English, and 4.9% were American.

Of the 1,102 households, 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 43.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,230 and the median income for a family was $55,588. Males had a median income of $30,185 versus $27,206 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,291. About 4.5% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Town

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Census-designated places

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Townships

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Politics

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Aurora County at one time favored the Democratic Party and was one of just 130 counties nationwide to be won by South Dakota favorite son George McGovern, who grew up in adjacent Davison County. However, with the “Reagan Revolution” of the 1980s it has gradually turned into a strongly Republican county. The last Democrat to win a majority in Aurora County was Michael Dukakis in the 1988 election.

United States presidential election results for Aurora County, South Dakota[27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 1,056 75.81% 302 21.68% 35 2.51%
2020 1,052 74.88% 317 22.56% 36 2.56%
2016 974 69.23% 340 24.16% 93 6.61%
2012 804 57.43% 556 39.71% 40 2.86%
2008 794 53.11% 655 43.81% 46 3.08%
2004 1,009 61.19% 620 37.60% 20 1.21%
2000 847 59.94% 513 36.31% 53 3.75%
1996 709 44.68% 664 41.84% 214 13.48%
1992 594 34.70% 680 39.72% 438 25.58%
1988 856 46.17% 987 53.24% 11 0.59%
1984 1,029 54.65% 840 44.61% 14 0.74%
1980 1,251 58.93% 709 33.40% 163 7.68%
1976 831 39.40% 1,269 60.17% 9 0.43%
1972 1,075 45.96% 1,257 53.74% 7 0.30%
1968 1,043 46.71% 1,060 47.47% 130 5.82%
1964 871 35.90% 1,555 64.10% 0 0.00%
1960 1,267 49.94% 1,270 50.06% 0 0.00%
1956 1,055 43.43% 1,374 56.57% 0 0.00%
1952 1,458 59.39% 997 40.61% 0 0.00%
1948 1,056 44.99% 1,275 54.32% 16 0.68%
1944 1,163 53.50% 1,011 46.50% 0 0.00%
1940 1,408 50.41% 1,385 49.59% 0 0.00%
1936 1,082 36.52% 1,801 60.78% 80 2.70%
1932 860 26.72% 2,304 71.58% 55 1.71%
1928 1,552 51.72% 1,426 47.52% 23 0.77%
1924 967 36.31% 665 24.97% 1,031 38.72%
1920 1,004 49.19% 445 21.80% 592 29.01%
1916 735 46.05% 793 49.69% 68 4.26%
1912 0 0.00% 801 51.21% 763 48.79%
1908 686 47.91% 694 48.46% 52 3.63%
1904 652 58.79% 407 36.70% 50 4.51%
1900 503 49.75% 486 48.07% 22 2.18%
1896 387 44.08% 479 54.56% 12 1.37%
1892 461 46.95% 207 21.08% 314 31.98%

See also

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43°43′N 98°34′W / 43.72°N 98.57°W / 43.72; -98.57

References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "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 28, 2015.
  3. ^ Soil Survey of Aurora County, South Dakota. US Dept. of Agriculture. 1980. p. 2.
  4. ^ Long, John H. (2006). "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  5. ^ Aurora County SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  6. ^ ""Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  8. ^ Crystal Lake Public Shooting Area, Stickney SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  9. ^ Hanson Lake State Public Shooting Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  10. ^ Kimball State Public Shooting Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  11. ^ Koch Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  12. ^ Kramer Slaugh Public Shooting Area, White Lake SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  13. ^ Krell Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  14. ^ Lutz Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  15. ^ Maine Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  16. ^ National Waterfowl Production Area, White Lake, SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  17. ^ Pleasant Lake State Public Shooting Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  18. ^ Schulte Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  19. ^ Sorenson Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  20. ^ Wilmarth Lake Game Production Area, Wessington Springs, SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)
  21. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2023". Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  22. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  23. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  24. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  25. ^ "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 22, 2015.
  26. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  27. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
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