Clay County, South Dakota

VermilionSD_ClayCountyCourthouse

Clay County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,967. Its county seat is Vermillion, which is also the home of the University of South Dakota.

History

Clay County was established in 1862 and named after Henry Clay, a prominent American statesman and U.S. Senator from Kentucky. The county has a rich history, with early settlers primarily involved in agriculture and trade along the Missouri River.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 417 square miles (1,080 km²), of which 412 square miles (1,070 km²) is land and 5.2 square miles (13 km²) (1.3%) is water. The Missouri River forms the county's western boundary.

Adjacent counties

• Union County (north)
• Lincoln County (northeast)
• Yankton County (west)
• Turner County (northwest)
• Dixon County, Nebraska (south)
• Cedar County, Nebraska (southwest)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 14,967 people, 5,500 households, and 3,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and other races.

Communities

City

• Vermillion

Town

• Irene (partly in Turner County)

Census-designated places

• Burbank
• Meckling

Unincorporated communities

• Greenfield
• Norway

Education

Clay County is home to the University of South Dakota, the state's oldest university, which offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Transportation

Major highways in Clay County include:

• Interstate 29
• South Dakota Highway 19
• South Dakota Highway 50

See also

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