Union County, South Dakota

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County in South Dakota, United States

Union County

General Information
Name
Native Name
Other Names
Settlement Type	U.S. county
Transliteration
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Location
Coordinates	{{{1}}}°{{{2}}} {{{3}}}°{{{4}}}
Map
Population
Total	16,811
Density	per km²
Area
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Water	km²
Government
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Time Zone
Standard	UTC
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Union County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,811. Its county seat is Elk Point. The county was created in 1862 and was originally named Cole County, but it was renamed to Union County in 1864 to honor the preservation of the Union.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 467 square miles (1,210 km²), of which 461 square miles (1,190 km²) is land and 6.3 square miles (16 km²) (1.3%) is water. The Missouri River forms the county's western boundary.

Adjacent counties

• Lincoln County - north
• Sioux County, Iowa - northeast
• Plymouth County, Iowa - southeast
• Woodbury County, Iowa - south
• Dakota County, Nebraska - southwest
• Clay County - west

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 16,811 people, 6,500 households, and 4,500 families residing in the county. The population density was 36.5 inhabitants per square mile (14.1/km²). There were 7,000 housing units at an average density of 15.2 per square mile (5.9/km²).

Communities

Cities

• Alcester
• Beresford (partly in Lincoln County)
• Elk Point
• North Sioux City

Towns

• Jefferson

Unincorporated communities

• Richland

Politics

Union County is a swing county in presidential elections, having voted for the winning candidate in most elections since 1960. The county government is headed by a board of commissioners, with other elected officials including the sheriff, auditor, and treasurer.

Education

Union County is served by several school districts, including the Elk Point-Jefferson School District, the Alcester-Hudson School District, and the Beresford School District.

Transportation

Major highways in Union County include:

• Interstate 29
• South Dakota Highway 11
• South Dakota Highway 50

See also

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