Jones County, South Dakota

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Jones County
U.S. county
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	1916
Seat	Murdo
Area
• Total	971 sq mi (2,510 km2)
• Land	970 sq mi (2,500 km2)
• Water	1.1 sq mi (3 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	917
• Density	0.95/sq mi (0.37/km2)

Jones County is a county located in the state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 917, making it one of the least populous counties in South Dakota. The county seat is Murdo, which is also the largest city in the county.

History

Jones County was established in 1916 and named after George W. Jones, a prominent political figure. The county has a rich history tied to the development of the railroad and agriculture in the region.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 971 square miles (2,515 km²), of which 970 square miles (2,512 km²) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) (0.1%) is water. The county is characterized by its rolling plains and agricultural land.

Adjacent counties

• Stanley County (north)
• Lyman County (east)
• Mellette County (south)
• Jackson County (west)
• Haakon County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 917 people, 429 households, and 267 families residing in the county. The population density was 0.95 people per square mile (0.37/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of other races.

Economy

The economy of Jones County is primarily based on agriculture, with significant contributions from ranching and farming. The county also benefits from tourism, particularly due to its location along Interstate 90.

Communities

City

• Murdo

Unincorporated communities

• Okaton

Government and infrastructure

Jones County is governed by a board of commissioners. The county seat, Murdo, houses the main government offices, including the county courthouse.

Education

The county is served by the Jones County School District, which provides education from elementary through high school.

Transportation

The major highways that run through Jones County include:

• Interstate 90
• U.S. Route 83

See also

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