Union County, South Dakota

Beresford,_SD_depot_from_NW_2_long

Error creating thumbnail:

I-29

Error creating thumbnail:

SD_46

SD_48

Error creating thumbnail:

SD_50

Error creating thumbnail:

SD_105

Union 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	1862
Seat	Elk Point
Area
• Total	467 sq mi (1,210 km2)
• Land	461 sq mi (1,190 km2)
• Water	6 sq mi (20 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	16,811
• Density	36.5/sq mi (14.1/km2)

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