Bennett County, South Dakota

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Pine_Ridge_Reservation_SD

Bennett County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota
South Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	South Dakota
Founded	1909
Seat	Martin
Area
• Total	1,191 sq mi (3,080 km2)
• Land	1,185 sq mi (3,070 km2)
• Water	6 sq mi (20 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,431
• Density	2.9/sq mi (1.1/km2)

Bennett County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,431. The county seat is Martin. The county was created in 1909 and organized in 1912.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,191 square miles (3,085 km²), of which 1,185 square miles (3,070 km²) is land and 6.0 square miles (16 km²) (0.5%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Jackson County (north)
• Todd County (east)
• Cherry County, Nebraska (south)
• Shannon County (west)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 3,431 people, 1,204 households, and 832 families residing in the county. The population density was 2.9 inhabitants per square mile (1.1/km²). There were 1,353 housing units at an average density of 1.1 per square mile (0.42/km²).

Communities

City

• Martin (county seat)

Census-designated places

• Allen
• Vetal

Unincorporated communities

• Tuthill
• Swett

Government and infrastructure

Bennett County is governed by a board of commissioners. The county seat, Martin, is the center of government and houses the county courthouse and other administrative offices.

Education

The county is served by the Bennett County School District, which provides education from elementary through high school.

Economy

The economy of Bennett County is primarily based on agriculture, with cattle ranching and farming being the predominant activities.

Transportation

Major highways that run through Bennett County include:

• U.S. Route 18
• South Dakota Highway 73

See also

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