Stanley County, South Dakota

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,517 square miles (3,930 km²), of which 1,444 square miles (3,740 km²) is land and 73 square miles (190 km²) (4.8%) is water.

Although the county seat Fort Pierre is located in the Mountain Time Zone, most residents of the city use Central Time because of close social and economic ties with Pierre, which is located in the Central Time Zone.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,772 people, 1,111 households, and 775 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 1,277 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.04% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 4.91% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,111 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out with 27.10% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,170, and the median income for a family was $47,197. Males had a median income of $29,911 versus $20,898 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,300. About 6.60% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.80% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,966 people, 1,228 households, and 857 families residing in the county. The population density was 2.1 inhabitants per square mile (0.81/km²). There were 1,387 housing units at an average density of 1.0 per square mile (0.39/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.0% white, 6.6% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 46.4% were German, 12.5% were Irish, 10.8% were English, 10.7% were Norwegian, 8.4% were Czech, 5.0% were Swedish, and 2.5% were American.

Of the 1,228 households, 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 41.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $51,875 and the median income for a family was $54,722. Males had a median income of $33,929 versus $25,574 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,435. About 8.8% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

City

Unincorporated communities

Townships

The county is divided into three areas of unorganized territory: Lower Brule, North Stanley, and South Stanley.

In popular culture

The Triple U Buffalo Ranch in northern Stanley County was used in filming the 1990 movie Dances with Wolves.

Notable residents