Hanson County, South Dakota

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Saint_Peter's_Grotto2_NRHP_01000686_Hanson_County,_SD

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Hanson 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	1871
Seat	Alexandria
Area
• Total	435 sq mi (1,130 km2)
• Land	434 sq mi (1,120 km2)
• Water	1.1 sq mi (3 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,331
• Density	7.7/sq mi (3.0/km2)

Hanson County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,331. Its county seat is Alexandria. The county was created in 1871 and organized in 1873. It is named for Joseph R. Hanson, a clerk of the first legislature.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 435 square miles (1,130 km²), of which 434 square miles (1,120 km²) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) (0.3%) is water.

Major Highways

• Interstate 90
• South Dakota Highway 25
• South Dakota Highway 38

Adjacent Counties

• Miner County (north)
• McCook County (east)
• Hutchinson County (southeast)
• Davison County (west)
• Sanborn County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 3,331 people, 1,276 households, and 917 families residing in the county. The population density was 7.7 inhabitants per square mile (3.0/km²). There were 1,376 housing units at an average density of 3.2 per square mile (1.2/km²).

Communities

Cities

• Alexandria
• Emery

Townships

• Beulah
• Edgerton
• Fairview
• Hanson
• Jasper
• Plano
• Pleasant
• Rosedale
• Spring Lake
• Taylor
• Wayne
• Worthen

Politics

Hanson County is a predominantly Republican county in presidential elections. The county has not voted for a Democratic candidate since 1964.

See Also

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