Gregory County, South Dakota

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Gregory County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota 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	1862
Seat	Burke
Area
• Total	1,052 sq mi (2,720 km2)
• Land	1,015 sq mi (2,630 km2)
• Water	37 sq mi (100 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,794
• Density	3.7/sq mi (1.4/km2)

Gregory County is a county located in the state of South Dakota, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,794. The county seat is Burke, and the largest city is Gregory.

History

Gregory County was established in 1862 and named after J. Shaw Gregory, a legislator. The county has a rich history tied to the development of the Great Plains and the westward expansion of the United States.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,052 square miles, of which 1,015 square miles is land and 37 square miles (3.5%) is water. The county is characterized by its rolling plains and agricultural land.

Adjacent counties

• Lyman County (north)
• Charles Mix County (east)
• Bon Homme County (southeast)
• Tripp County (south)
• Mellette County (west)

Major highways

• U.S. Route 18
• U.S. Route 281
• South Dakota Highway 44

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 3,794 people, 1,715 households, and 1,095 families residing in the county. The population density was 3.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of Native Americans and other races.

Communities

Cities

• Gregory
• Burke

Towns

• Bonesteel
• Fairfax
• Herrick

Unincorporated communities

• Carlock
• Star Valley

Economy

The economy of Gregory County is primarily based on agriculture, with significant contributions from livestock farming and crop production. The county also benefits from tourism, particularly hunting and fishing activities.

Education

Gregory County is served by several school districts, including the Gregory School District and the Burke School District. These districts provide education from elementary through high school levels.

Government

Gregory County is governed by a board of commissioners, with each commissioner representing a district within the county. The county government is responsible for local services such as law enforcement, road maintenance, and public health.

See also

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