Beadle County, South Dakota

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Beadle County is a county located in the state of South Dakota, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,453. The county seat is Huron. The county was created in 1879 and organized in 1880. It is named for Brigadier General William Henry Harrison Beadle, a prominent figure in the early history of South Dakota.

Geography

Beadle County is situated in the eastern part of South Dakota. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,265 square miles (3,280 km²), of which 1,259 square miles (3,260 km²) is land and 6.0 square miles (16 km²) (0.5%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Spink County (north)
• Clark County (northeast)
• Kingsbury County (east)
• Sanborn County (south)
• Jerauld County (southwest)
• Hand County (west)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 18,453 people, 7,830 households, and 4,812 families residing in the county. The population density was 14.7 inhabitants per square mile (5.7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of Native American, African American, Asian, and other races.

Communities

City

• Huron (county seat)

Towns

• Broadland
• Cavour
• Hitchcock
• Iroquois (partly in Kingsbury County)
• Wolsey)

Census-designated places

• Yale)

Unincorporated communities

• Bonilla
• Virgil)

Economy

The economy of Beadle County is primarily based on agriculture, with significant contributions from livestock, corn, soybeans, and wheat production. The county also has a growing manufacturing sector and various service industries.

Education

Beadle County is served by several school districts, including the Huron School District, which operates multiple elementary schools, a middle school, and Huron High School.

Transportation

Major highways that run through Beadle County include:

• U.S. Route 14
• South Dakota Highway 37
• South Dakota Highway 28

Notable People

• Gladys Pyle, the first woman elected to the United States Senate from South Dakota.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Beadle County, South Dakota
• List of counties in South Dakota