Brookings County, South Dakota

History

The county was founded July 3, 1871, and was named after Wilmot Wood Brookings (1830 - 1905), a politician and pioneer of southeastern South Dakota. Medary was the first county seat for eight years from 1871-1879

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 805 square miles (2,080 km²), of which 782 square miles (2,030 km²) is land and 13 square miles (34 km²) (1.6%) is water.

Lakes

Adjacent counties

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 28,220 people, 10,665 households, and 6,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 11,576 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.36% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.90% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 0.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 39.2% were of German, 23.2% Norwegian and 5.7% Irish ancestry.

There were 10,665 households out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.00% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.70% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out with 20.80% under the age of 18, 26.80% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 17.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 102.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,438, and the median income for a family was $48,052. Males had a median income of $30,843 versus $22,074 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,586. About 6.20% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.10% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 31,965 people, 12,029 households, and 6,623 families residing in the county. The population density was 40.3 inhabitants per square mile (15.6/km²). There were 13,137 housing units at an average density of 16.6 per square mile (6.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% white, 2.7% Asian, 0.9% American Indian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.9% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 47.9% were German, 24.3% were Norwegian, 11.9% were Irish, 6.9% were English, 6.1% were Dutch, and 2.0% were American.

Of the 12,029 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.9% were non-families, and 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 26.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,134 and the median income for a family was $63,338. Males had a median income of $40,425 versus $30,023 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,995. About 5.9% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

Major highways

Airports

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships

The county is divided into twenty-three townships: