Perkins County, South Dakota

Lemmon_Petrified_Park_2

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Perkins 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	Template:Country data South Dakota
Founded	1909
Seat	Bison
Area
• Total	2,891 sq mi (7,490 km2)
• Land	2,870 sq mi (7,400 km2)
• Water	21 sq mi (50 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,835
• Density	1.0/sq mi (0.4/km2)

Perkins County is a county located in the state of South Dakota, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,835. Its county seat is Bison. The county was established in 1909 and named after Henry E. Perkins, a state legislator.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,891 square miles (7,490 km²), of which 2,870 square miles (7,400 km²) is land and 21 square miles (54 km²) (0.7%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Bowman County, North Dakota (north)
• Adams County, North Dakota (northeast)
• Corson County, South Dakota (east)
• Ziebach County, South Dakota (southeast)
• Meade County, South Dakota (south)
• Butte County, South Dakota (southwest)
• Harding County, South Dakota (west)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 2,835 people, 1,275 households, and 785 families residing in the county. The population density was 1.0 inhabitants per square mile (0.39/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of Native Americans, African Americans, and other races.

Communities

Cities

• Lemmon

Towns

• Bison (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

• Prairie City
• Meadow

Economy

The economy of Perkins County is primarily based on agriculture, including cattle ranching and crop farming. The county also has a small but growing tourism sector, with attractions such as the Grand River National Grassland.

Education

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

Transportation

Major highways in Perkins County include:

• U.S. Route 12
• South Dakota Highway 20
• South Dakota Highway 73

See also

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