Yankton County, South Dakota

County in South Dakota, United States

County in South Dakota

Yankton County

County

Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Yankton.

Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota

South Dakota's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 43°01′N 97°23′W﻿ / ﻿43.01°N 97.39°W﻿ / 43.01; -97.39
Country|  United States
State|  South Dakota
Founded| April 10, 1862
Named after| Yankton Sioux
Seat| Yankton
Largest city| Yankton
Area

• Total

| 532 sq mi (1,380 km2)
• Land| 521 sq mi (1,350 km2)
• Water| 11 sq mi (30 km2)  2.1%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 23,310

• Estimate

(2024)

| 23,509
• Density| 44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| At-large
Website| www.co.yankton.sd.us
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.

Yankton County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,310, making it the 9th most populous county in South Dakota.[1] Its county seat is Yankton.[2] Yankton County comprises the Yankton, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area.

## Geography

[edit]

Gavins Point Dam, impounding Lewis and Clark Lake on the Missouri River in the southwestern part of Yankton County. 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 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.[3] The terrain slopes to the south and the east. Its highest point is 1,473 ft (449 m) ASL, on the eastern portion of its north boundary line.[4] The county has a total area of 532 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 521 square miles (1,350 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (2.1%) is water.[5]

Lewis & Clark Lake, a popular regional tourist and recreational destination is found in the southwestern part of the county.[6]

### Major highways

[edit]

* U.S. Highway 81
* South Dakota Highway 46
* South Dakota Highway 50
* South Dakota Highway 52
* South Dakota Highway 153
* South Dakota Highway 314

### Airports

[edit]

* Chan Gurney Municipal Airport

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Turner County \- northeast
* Clay County \- east
* Cedar County, Nebraska \- southeast
* Knox County, Nebraska \- southwest
* Bon Homme County \- west
* Hutchinson County \- northwest

### Protected areas[3]

[edit]

* 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 State Recreation Area
* Missouri National Recreational River (part)
* Pierson Ranch State Recreation Area

### Lakes and reservoirs

[edit]

* Beaver Lake
* Guthmiller Lake
* Lake Yankton
* Lewis and Clark Lake (part)
* Marindahl Lake

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1870| 2,097| | —
1880| 8,390| | 300.1%
1890| 10,414| | 24.1%
1900| 12,649| | 21.5%
1910| 13,135| | 3.8%
1920| 15,233| | 16.0%
1930| 16,589| | 8.9%
1940| 16,725| | 0.8%
1950| 16,804| | 0.5%
1960| 17,551| | 4.4%
1970| 19,039| | 8.5%
1980| 18,952| | −0.5%
1990| 19,252| | 1.6%
2000| 21,652| | 12.5%
2010| 22,438| | 3.6%
2020| 23,310| | 3.9%
2024 (est.)| 23,509| [7]| 0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1]

### 2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 23,310 people, 9,435 households, and 5,693 families in the county.[12] The population density was 44.7 inhabitants per square mile (17.3/km2). There were 10,372 housing units.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 22,438 people, 8,770 households, and 5,476 families in the county. The population density was 43.1 inhabitants per square mile (16.6/km2). There were 9,652 housing units at an average density of 18.5 per square mile (7.1/km2). 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

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Irene (partial)
* Yankton (county seat)

### Towns

[edit]

* Gayville
* Lesterville
* Mission Hill
* Utica
* Volin

### Census-designated place

[edit]

* Jamesville Colony

### Townships

[edit]

* Gayville
* Jamesville
* Marindahl
* Mayfield
* Mission Hill
* Turkey Valley
* Utica
* Volin
* Walshtown

### Unorganized territories

[edit]

* Southeast Yankton
* West Yankton

## Politics and government

[edit]

Yankton County is Governed by the County Commission, a five-member legislative body elected at-large.[13] 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 Legislative District 18. As of 2024, Yankton County is represented in the South Dakota Senate by Senator Jean Hunhoff-(R), and in the South Dakota House of Representatives by State Representatives Mike Stevens-(R) and Ryan Cwach-(D).[14] The county is located in 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.

United States presidential election results for Yankton County, South Dakota[15] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 6,650  | 61.39% | 3,883  | 35.85%  | 299  | 2.76%
2020 | 6,581  | 60.38% | 4,016  | 36.84%  | 303  | 2.78%
2016 | 5,659  | 58.81% | 3,301  | 34.30%  | 663  | 6.89%
2012 | 5,495  | 55.09% | 4,226  | 42.37%  | 253  | 2.54%
2008 | 5,039  | 49.72% | 4,838  | 47.74%  | 257  | 2.54%
2004 | 6,003  | 57.55% | 4,237  | 40.62%  | 191  | 1.83%
2000 | 4,904  | 56.11% | 3,596  | 41.14%  | 240  | 2.75%
1996 | 3,885  | 44.02% | 3,775  | 42.77%  | 1,166  | 13.21%
1992 | 3,430  | 36.60% | 3,404  | 36.32%  | 2,538  | 27.08%
1988 | 4,186  | 52.05% | 3,777  | 46.96%  | 80  | 0.99%
1984 | 5,161  | 63.36% | 2,932  | 36.00%  | 52  | 0.64%
1980 | 5,355  | 61.22% | 2,698  | 30.84%  | 694  | 7.93%
1976 | 4,029  | 49.82% | 3,987  | 49.30%  | 71  | 0.88%
1972 | 4,366  | 53.08% | 3,835  | 46.63%  | 24  | 0.29%
1968 | 3,977  | 56.08% | 2,733  | 38.54%  | 382  | 5.39%
1964 | 3,208  | 46.13%  | 3,747  | 53.87% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 4,065  | 57.04% | 3,061  | 42.96%  | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 4,063  | 57.63% | 2,987  | 42.37%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 4,802  | 68.39% | 2,220  | 31.61%  | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 2,904  | 49.28%  | 2,932  | 49.75% | 57  | 0.97%
1944 | 3,313  | 58.41% | 2,359  | 41.59%  | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 4,179  | 57.70% | 3,064  | 42.30%  | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 2,702  | 36.33%  | 4,349  | 58.47% | 387  | 5.20%
1932 | 1,693  | 25.16%  | 4,930  | 73.25% | 107  | 1.59%
1928 | 2,971  | 50.88% | 2,841  | 48.66%  | 27  | 0.46%
1924 | 1,504  | 39.78%  | 693  | 18.33%  | 1,584  | 41.89%
1920 | 2,555  | 61.80% | 1,147  | 27.75%  | 432  | 10.45%
1916 | 1,429  | 48.66%  | 1,438  | 48.96% | 70  | 2.38%
1912 | 0  | 0.00%  | 1,289  | 44.02%  | 1,639  | 55.98%
1908 | 1,644  | 56.81% | 1,118  | 38.63%  | 132  | 4.56%
1904 | 1,968  | 69.03% | 788  | 27.64%  | 95  | 3.33%
1900 | 1,639  | 55.75% | 1,268  | 43.13%  | 33  | 1.12%
1896 | 1,423  | 51.39% | 1,330  | 48.03%  | 16  | 0.58%
1892 | 1,166  | 53.98% | 228  | 10.56%  | 766  | 35.46%

The Yankton County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement in the county and operates the 120-bed county jail. As of 2021[update] the current Sheriff is Preston Crissey.[16]

## Recreation and tourism

[edit]

Lewis and Clark Lake is located in southwestern Yankton County, four miles (6.4 km) 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.[17] The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks operates the 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.[18]

## See also

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ a b Yankton County SD Google Maps (accessed February 9, 2019)
4. ^ ""Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed February 9, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
6. ^ "Missouri River Dams". Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
7. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 15, 2025.
8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
10. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
12. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
13. ^ "Yankton County Commission". Retrieved February 19, 2024.
14. ^ "SD Legislature". Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
15. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
16. ^ "Yankton County Sheriff". Retrieved February 19, 2024.
17. ^ "Omaha District > Missions > Dam and Lake Projects > Missouri River Dams > Gavins Point". www.nwo.usace.army.mil. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
18. ^ "National Park Service/MNRR". Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

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

* Yankton County (Official website)
* U.S. Census Data - Yankton County
* "Yankton, a S. E. county of Dakota" . The American Cyclopædia. 1879.

Places adjacent to Yankton County, South Dakota

| Hutchinson County |
| Turner County

|
|

|  |
Bon Homme County |

Yankton County, South Dakota

| Clay County
|  |
Knox County, Nebraska |
| Cedar County, Nebraska

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Yankton County, South Dakota, United States

County seat: Yankton

Cities|

* Irene‡
* Yankton

Towns|

* Gayville
* Lesterville
* Mission Hill
* Utica
* Volin

CDP|

* Jamesville Colony

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* South Dakota portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of South Dakota

Pierre (capital)

Topics|

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

Society|

* Abortion
* Cannabis
* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* African Americans
* Economy
* Education
* Colleges and universities
* Gun laws
* LGBT rights
* 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
* Piedmont
* 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

South Dakota portal

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* NARA
* Yale LUX

43°01′N 97°23′W﻿ / ﻿43.01°N 97.39°W﻿ / 43.01; -97.39
*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template