Custer County, South Dakota

Custer County, South Dakota
Location in the state of South Dakota
South Dakota's location in the U.S.
Founded	1875
Seat	Custer
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,559 sq mi (4,038 km²) 1,558 sq mi (4,034 km²) 1 sq mi (4 km²), 0.09%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	8,216 4.67/sq mi (1.803/km²)

Custer County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,216. Its county seat is Custer.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,559 square miles (4,037.8 km²), of which 1,558 square miles (4,035.2 km²) is land and 1 square mile (2.6 km²) (0.09%) is water. Wind Cave National Park is located within the county, as is Jewel Cave National Monument. South Dakota's own Custer State Park is also located in the county.

Townships

The county is divided into two areas of territory: East of Custer State Park and West of Custer State Park Custer.

Major highways

U.S. Highway 16 U.S. Highway 385 U.S. Highway 16A South Dakota Highway 36

South Dakota Highway 40 South Dakota Highway 87 South Dakota Highway 89

Adjacent counties

• Pennington County, South Dakota - north
• Shannon County, South Dakota - southeast
• Fall River County, South Dakota - south
• Niobrara County, Wyoming - southwest
• Weston County, Wyoming - west

National protected areas

• Black Hills National Forest (part)
• Buffalo Gap National Grassland (part)
• Jewel Cave National Monument
• Wind Cave National Park

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	995		—
1890	4,891		391.6%
1900	2,728		−44.2%
1910	4,458		63.4%
1920	3,907		−12.4%
1930	5,353		37.0%
1940	6,023		12.5%
1950	5,517		−8.4%
1960	4,906		−11.1%
1970	4,698		−4.2%
1980	6,000		27.7%
1990	6,179		3.0%
2000	7,275		17.7%
2010	8,216		12.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,275 people, 2,970 households, and 2,067 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 3,624 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.17% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 3.12% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.88% from two or more races. 1.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.2% were of German, 9.8% Irish, 9.2% English, 7.1% Norwegian and 5.7% American ancestry.

There were 2,970 households out of which 26.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 22.40% from 25 to 44, 31.10% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 104.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,303, and the median income for a family was $43,628. Males had a median income of $30,475 versus $20,781 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,945. About 6.20% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.00% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Buffalo Gap
• Custer
• Fairburn
• Hermosa
• Pringle

National monument and park

• Jewel Cave National Monument
• Wind Cave National Park

State parks

• Custer State Park

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Custer County, South Dakota