Brookings County, South Dakota

Brookings County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,375, making it the fifth-most populous county in South Dakota. The county seat is Brookings. The county was created in 1862 and organized in 1871. It is named for Wilmot Brookings, an early pioneer and promoter of Dakota Territory.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 805 square miles (2,085 km²), of which 792 square miles (2,051 km²) is land and 13 square miles (34 km²) (1.6%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Deuel County (northeast)
• Lincoln County, Minnesota (east)
• Pipestone County, Minnesota (southeast)
• Moody County (south)
• Lake County (southwest)
• Kingsbury County (west)
• Hamlin County (northwest)

Major highways

• Interstate 29
• U.S. Route 14
• South Dakota Highway 13
• South Dakota Highway 30
• South Dakota Highway 324

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 34,375 people, 13,000 households, and 7,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 43.4 inhabitants per square mile (16.8/km²). There were 14,000 housing units at an average density of 17.7 per square mile (6.8/km²).

Communities

Cities

• Aurora
• Brookings (county seat)
• Bruce
• Elkton
• Volga
• White

Towns

• Bushnell
• Sinai

Census-designated places

• Lake Poinsett

Unincorporated communities

• Argo
• Austintown
• Bangor
• Dempster
• Medary
• Oakwood
• Preston
• Sterling

Education

Brookings County is home to South Dakota State University, the largest university in the state, located in the city of Brookings.

Politics

Brookings County has historically leaned towards the Republican Party in presidential elections, although it has shown some support for Democratic candidates in recent years.

See also

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