Lyman County, South Dakota

History

Lyman County was created in 1873 and organized in 1893. Oacoma served as its first county seat in 1891; in 1922 the seat was transferred to Kennebec.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,707 square miles (4,420 km²), of which 1,642 square miles (4,250 km²) is land and 65 square miles (170 km²) (3.8%) is water.

National protected area

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,895 people, 1,400 households, and 1,009 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 1,636 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.75% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 33.27% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. 0.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,400 households out of which 36.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.40% were married couples living together, 13.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the county, the population was spread out with 32.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 104.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,509, and the median income for a family was $32,028. Males had a median income of $22,628 versus $18,672 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,862. About 19.40% of families and 24.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.00% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,755 people, 1,392 households, and 967 families residing in the county. The population density was 2.3 inhabitants per square mile (0.89/km²). There were 1,704 housing units at an average density of 1.0 per square mile (0.39/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 58.3% white, 38.2% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.1% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 27.3% were German, 9.2% were Irish, 9.1% were Norwegian, and 1.0% were American.

Of the 1,392 households, 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.5% were non-families, and 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.19. The median age was 36.1 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,323 and the median income for a family was $45,045. Males had a median income of $32,760 versus $25,512 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,930. About 17.4% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated community

Townships

The county is divided into sixteen townships:

Unorganized territories

The county contains six areas of unincorporated territory: