Butte County, South Dakota

BUTTE_COUNTY_COURTHOUSE,_BELLE_FOURCHE

US_85

SD_168

Butte County, South Dakota
County
Coordinates: 45.01°N 103.47°W / 45.01; -103.47 Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed.
Country	United States
State	South Dakota
Established	1883
County seat	Belle Fourche
Area
• Total	2,266 sq mi (5,870 km2)
• Land	2,250 sq mi (5,800 km2)
• Water	16 sq mi (40 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	10,143
• Density	4.5/sq mi (1.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)

Butte County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,143. Its county seat is Belle Fourche.

History

Butte County was created in 1883 and organized in 1886. The name "Butte" refers to the unique geographical features in the area, including several prominent buttes.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,266 square miles, of which 2,250 square miles is land and 16 square miles (0.7%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Harding County (north)
• Perkins County (east)
• Meade County (south)
• Lawrence County (southwest)
• Crook County, Wyoming (west)

Major highways

• U.S. Route 85
• South Dakota Highway 34
• South Dakota Highway 79

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 10,143 people, 4,200 households, and 2,800 families residing in the county. The population density was 4.5 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of Native American, African American, and other races.

Communities

City

• Belle Fourche

Towns

• Newell
• Nisland

Unincorporated communities

• Vale
• Fruitdale

Economy

The economy of Butte County is primarily based on agriculture, including cattle ranching and crop farming. The county also benefits from tourism due to its proximity to the Black Hills and other natural attractions.

Education

Butte County is served by several school districts, including the Belle Fourche School District and the Newell School District.

See also

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