Fall River County, South Dakota

County in South Dakota, United States

U.S. county in South Dakota

Fall River County

U.S. county

Battle Mountain Sanitarium in Hot Springs.

Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota

South Dakota's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  South Dakota
Founded| April 3, 1883
Named for| Fall River
Seat| Hot Springs
Largest city| Hot Springs
Area

• Total| 1,749 sq mi (4,530 km2)
• Land| 1,740 sq mi (4,500 km2)
• Water| 9.2 sq mi (24 km2)  0.5%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 6,973
• Estimate

(2021)

| 7,202
• Density| 4.0/sq mi (1.5/km2)
Time zone| UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district| At-large
Website| fallriver.sdcounties.org

Fall River County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 6,973.[1] Its county seat is Hot Springs.[2] The county was founded in 1883. It is named for Fall River which runs through it.[3]

## Contents

* 1 Geography
* 1.1 Major highways
* 1.2 Adjacent counties
* 1.3 Protected areas
* 1.4 Lakes
* 2 Demographics
* 2.1 2000 census
* 2.2 2010 census
* 3 Communities
* 3.1 Cities
* 3.2 Town
* 3.3 Census-designated places
* 3.4 Other communities
* 3.5 Townships
* 3.6 Unorganized territories
* 4 Politics
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 External links

## Geography

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Fall River County lies at South Dakota's SW corner. Its south borderline abuts the north borderline of the state of Nebraska, and its west borderline abuts the east borderline of the state of Wyoming. The Fall River County terrain contains a mountainous area in the north-central portion, with rolling hills in the rest of the county. Outside the mountainous area, the county's highest point is its SW corner, at 3,970' (1210m) ASL. Of the several peaks in the mountainous area, one in the NE portion of that zone rises to 4,646' (1416m) ASL. The terrain slopes to the north and east. Discharging from the Angostura Reservoir, the Cheyenne River flows northeasterly through the upper part of the county, departing the county through its north boundary line into Custer County.

Fall River County has a total area of 1,749 square miles (4,530 km2), of which 1,740 square miles (4,500 km2) is land and 9.2 square miles (24 km2) (0.5%) is water.[4]

### Major highways

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* US 18
* US 385
* SD 71
* SD 79
* SD 89
* SD 471

### Adjacent counties

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* Custer County \- north
* Oglala Lakota County \- east
* Dawes County, Nebraska \- southeast
* Sioux County, Nebraska \- south
* Niobrara County, Wyoming \- west

### Protected areas

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* Angostura Reservoir State Game Production Area
* Angostura State Recreation Area
* Bailey State Lakeside Use Area
* Battle Mountain State Game Production Area
* Black Hills National Forest (partial)
* Buffalo Gap National Grassland (partial)
* Friendshuh State Game Production Area (partial)
* Hill Ranch State Game Production Area
* Oral State Game Production Area
* Romey State Game Production Area
* Scherbarth State Game Production Area
* Sheps Canyon State Lakeside Use Area
* Sheps Canyon State Recreation Area
* Williams Dam State Game Production

### Lakes

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* Angostura Reservoir
* Coldbrook Lake
* Cottonwood Springs Lake

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1890| 4,478| | —
1900| 3,541| | −20.9%
1910| 7,763| | 119.2%
1920| 6,985| | −10.0%
1930| 8,741| | 25.1%
1940| 8,089| | −7.5%
1950| 10,439| | 29.1%
1960| 10,688| | 2.4%
1970| 7,505| | −29.8%
1980| 8,439| | 12.4%
1990| 7,353| | −12.9%
2000| 7,453| | 1.4%
2010| 7,094| | −4.8%
2020| 6,973| | −1.7%
2021 (est.)| 7,202| [5]| 3.3%
US Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

### 2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[10] there were 7,453 people, 3,127 households, and 1,976 families in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (2/km2). There were 3,812 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.51% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 6.05% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 2.54% from two or more races. 1.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.6% were of German, 12.1% English, 9.5% Norwegian and 7.0% Irish ancestry.

There were 3,127 households, out of which 23.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.90% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.80% were non-families. 32.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.82.

The county population contained 22.80% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 20.60% from 25 to 44, 28.30% from 45 to 64, and 22.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 109.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,631, and the median income for a family was $37,827. Males had a median income of $30,646 versus $20,017 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,048. About 7.80% of families and 13.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

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As of the 2010 census, there were 7,094 people, 3,272 households, and 1,899 families in the county.[11] The population density was 4.1 inhabitants per square mile (1.6/km2). There were 4,191 housing units at an average density of 2.4 per square mile (0.93/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 88.6% white, 7.1% American Indian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.2% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 39.7% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 11.2% were English, 8.4% were Norwegian, 5.9% were Dutch, and 2.3% were American.[13]

Of the 3,272 households, 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 42.0% were non-families, and 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.74. The median age was 50.5 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $35,833 and the median income for a family was $53,750. Males had a median income of $36,495 versus $32,058 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,574. About 11.4% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.[14]

## Communities

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### Cities

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* Edgemont
* Hot Springs

### Town

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* Oelrichs

### Census-designated places

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* Angostura
* Ardmore
* Dudley
* Maverick Junction
* Oral
* Provo
* Smithwick

### Other communities

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* Burdock (ghost town)
* Cascade Springs (ghost town)[15]
* Heppner (ghost town)
* Rumford

### Townships

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* Argentine
* Provo
* Robins

### Unorganized territories

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* Northeast Fall River
* Southwest Fall River

## Politics

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Fall River voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

United States presidential election results for Fall River County, South Dakota[16] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 71.2% 2,878 | 26.1% 1,053 | 2.7% 111
2016 | 70.5% 2,511 | 23.0% 821 | 6.5% 231
2012 | 64.2% 2,258 | 32.4% 1,140 | 3.4% 118
2008 | 61.6% 2,348 | 35.1% 1,338 | 3.2% 123
2004 | 62.8% 2,413 | 34.5% 1,326 | 2.8% 106
2000 | 63.7% 2,185 | 33.0% 1,133 | 3.2% 111
1996 | 47.3% 1,636 | 39.2% 1,357 | 13.5% 465
1992 | 40.8% 1,533 | 37.7% 1,416 | 21.5% 805
1988 | 58.6% 2,002 | 40.4% 1,380 | 1.0% 35
1984 | 70.4% 2,748 | 29.1% 1,135 | 0.6% 22
1980 | 69.6% 2,831 | 24.2% 982 | 6.2% 254
1976 | 56.6% 2,046 | 42.5% 1,537 | 0.9% 32
1972 | 67.9% 2,374 | 31.7% 1,107 | 0.5% 16
1968 | 59.6% 1,843 | 31.2% 965 | 9.2% 286
1964 | 54.3% 2,026 | 45.7% 1,706 |
1960 | 63.6% 2,492 | 36.4% 1,426 |
1956 | 67.4% 2,377 | 32.6% 1,150 |
1952 | 74.0% 2,863 | 26.0% 1,008 |
1948 | 59.7% 2,037 | 39.5% 1,348 | 0.8% 26
1944 | 63.3% 1,938 | 36.7% 1,122 |
1940 | 63.3% 2,420 | 36.7% 1,405 |
1936 | 47.1% 1,876 | 48.4% 1,927 | 4.5% 179
1932 | 33.5% 1,351 | 64.6% 2,603 | 1.9% 75
1928 | 63.5% 2,216 | 36.1% 1,258 | 0.4% 15
1924 | 52.1% 1,392 | 12.8% 342 | 35.1% 936
1920 | 61.0% 1,236 | 33.6% 680 | 5.4% 110
1916 | 40.6% 668 | 56.1% 922 | 3.3% 54
1912 |  | 42.2% 712 | 57.9% 977
1908 | 57.6% 726 | 37.0% 466 | 5.4% 68
1904 | 71.2% 777 | 22.7% 248 | 6.1% 66
1900 | 55.0% 521 | 44.4% 421 | 0.6% 6
1896 | 48.7% 530 | 51.0% 555 | 0.4% 4
1892 | 53.7% 569 | 24.7% 262 | 21.5% 228

## See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fall River County, South Dakota.

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Fall River County, South Dakota

## References

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1. ^ a b "2020 Census Results". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 123.
4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved March 25, 2022.
6. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
10. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
11. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
13. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
14. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
15. ^ Cascade Springs Google Maps (accessed 2 February 2019)
16. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 15, 2018.

## External links

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* Fall River County Courthouse Official Website
* Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce
* Hot Springs City Hall
* Edgemont City Hall

Places adjacent to Fall River County, South Dakota

|  | Custer County |

|
|

|  |
Niobrara County, Wyoming |

Fall River County, South Dakota

| Oglala Lakota County
|  |
| Sioux County, Nebraska | Dawes County, Nebraska

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Fall River County, South Dakota, United States

County seat: Hot Springs

Cities|

* Edgemont
* Hot Springs

Town|

* Oelrichs

Townships|

* Argentine
* Provo
* Robins

CDPs|

* Angostura
* Ardmore
* Dudley
* Maverick Junction
* Oral
* Provo
* Smithwick

Other
community|

* Rumford

Ghost towns|

* Burdock
* Heppner

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of South Dakota

Pierre (capital)

Topics|

* Outline
* Cities
* Famous South Dakotans
* Geography
* Government
* Delegations
* Elections
* History
* Bibliography
* Timeline
* State Parks
* Symbols
* Tourist attractions
* Towns and villages
* Townships
* Transportation

Society|

* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Colleges and universities
* Politics

Regions|

* Badlands
* Black Hills
* Coteau des Prairies
* Missouri Coteau
* Dissected Till Plains
* Drift Prairie
* East River
* Pine Ridge
* Siouxland
* West River

Larger incorporated places
pop. over 5,000|

* Aberdeen
* Belle Fourche
* Box Elder
* Brandon
* Brookings
* Harrisburg
* Huron
* Madison
* Mitchell
* Pierre
* Rapid City
* Sioux Falls
* Spearfish
* Sturgis
* Tea
* Vermillion
* Watertown
* Yankton

Smaller incorporated places
pop. 1,000 - 5,000|

* Aurora
* Baltic
* Beresford
* Britton
* Canton
* Chamberlain
* Clark
* Clear Lake
* Crooks
* Custer
* De Smet
* Deadwood
* Dell Rapids
* Eagle Butte
* Elk Point
* Flandreau
* Fort Pierre
* Freeman
* Garretson
* Gettysburg
* Gregory
* Groton
* Hartford
* Hot Springs
* Lead
* Lemmon
* Lennox
* Milbank
* Miller
* Mission
* Mobridge
* North Sioux City
* Parker
* Parkston
* Platte
* Redfield
* Salem
* Sisseton
* Springfield
* Summerset
* Tyndall
* Volga
* Wagner
* Webster
* Winner

Largest CDPs
pop. over 1,000|

* Blackhawk
* Colonial Pine Hills
* Dakota Dunes
* Fort Thompson
* Green Valley
* North Eagle Butte
* North Spearfish
* Oglala
* Pine Ridge
* Rapid Valley
* Rosebud

Counties|

* Aurora
* Beadle
* Bennett
* Bon Homme
* Brookings
* Brown
* Brule
* Buffalo
* Butte
* Campbell
* Charles Mix
* Clark
* Clay
* Codington
* Corson
* Custer
* Davison
* Day
* Deuel
* Dewey
* Douglas
* Edmunds
* Fall River
* Faulk
* Grant
* Gregory
* Haakon
* Hamlin
* Hand
* Hanson
* Harding
* Hughes
* Hutchinson
* Hyde
* Jackson
* Jerauld
* Jones
* Kingsbury
* Lake
* Lawrence
* Lincoln
* Lyman
* Marshall
* McCook
* McPherson
* Meade
* Mellette
* Miner
* Minnehaha
* Moody
* Oglala Lakota
* Pennington
* Perkins
* Potter
* Roberts
* Sanborn
* Spink
* Stanley
* Sully
* Todd
* Tripp
* Turner
* Union
* Walworth
* Yankton
* Ziebach

Coordinates: 43°15′N 103°31′W﻿ / ﻿43.25°N 103.52°W﻿ / 43.25; -103.52
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