Kingsbury County, South Dakota

Kingsbury_County_Courthouse

Kingsbury County is a county located in the state of South Dakota, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,187. The county seat is De Smet. The county was created in 1873 and organized in 1880. It is named for George W. Kingsbury, a prominent journalist and historian in the Dakota Territory.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 864 square miles (2,240 km²), of which 832 square miles (2,150 km²) is land and 32 square miles (83 km²) (3.7%) is water. The county is characterized by its rolling prairies and numerous lakes, including Lake Thompson, one of the largest natural lakes in South Dakota.

Adjacent counties

• Hamlin County (northeast)
• Brookings County (east)
• Lake County (southeast)
• Miner County (south)
• Sanborn County (southwest)
• Beadle County (west)
• Clark County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 5,187 people, 2,276 households, and 1,438 families residing in the county. The population density was 6.2 inhabitants per square mile (2.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of other races.

Communities

Cities

• Arlington
• De Smet (county seat)
• Lake Preston

Towns

• Badger
• Erwin
• Iroquois (partly in Beadle County)
• Oldham

Unincorporated communities

• Esmond
• Manchester

Education

Kingsbury County is served by several school districts, including the De Smet School District, the Lake Preston School District, and the Arlington School District. These districts provide education from elementary through high school levels.

Economy

The economy of Kingsbury County is primarily based on agriculture, with major crops including corn, soybeans, and wheat. Livestock farming is also significant, particularly cattle and hogs.

Notable People

• Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the "Little House" series, lived in De Smet, which is often referred to as the "Little Town on the Prairie."

See also

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