McPherson County, South Dakota

History

The county was created in 1873 and organized in 1884. It is named after American Civil War General James B. McPherson.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,152 square miles (2,980 km²), of which 1,137 square miles (2,940 km²) is land and 15 square miles (39 km²) (1.3%) is water.

The Samuel H. Ordway, Jr., Memorial Prairie is a 7,800-acre (3,200 ha) grassland owned by The Nature Conservancy. It lies on the south side of South Dakota Highway 10 about 10 miles (16 km) west of Leola, and is home to a bison herd.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,904 people, 1,227 households, and 822 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 1,465 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 99.35% White, 0.28% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.03% from other races, and 0.21% from two or more races. 0.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,227 households out of which 23.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.10% were married couples living together, 2.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.00% were non-families. 31.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.20% under the age of 18, 4.50% from 18 to 24, 20.10% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 29.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $22,380, and the median income for a family was $29,811. Males had a median income of $23,705 versus $17,850 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,748. About 17.00% of families and 22.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.80% of those under age 18 and 22.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,459 people, 1,025 households, and 632 families residing in the county. The population density was 2.2 inhabitants per square mile (0.85/km²). There were 1,418 housing units at an average density of 1.2 per square mile (0.46/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.2% white, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 74.5% were German, 17.7% were Russian, 7.3% were Norwegian, 6.7% were English, and 2.5% were American.

Of the 1,025 households, 19.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.3% were non-families, and 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.66. The median age was 50.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,923 and the median income for a family was $47,500. Males had a median income of $31,953 versus $27,941 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,255. About 12.5% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 27.1% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated community

Townships

The county is divided into five townships: