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List of Counties in South Dakota

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South Dakota has 66 counties. The most populous counties are Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls), Pennington County (Rapid City), Lincoln County, Brown County, Brookings County, Codington County, Meade County, Lawrence County, Yankton County, and Davison County. Minnehaha County, where Sioux Falls is located, is the largest by population and serves as South Dakota’s economic center. Pennington County, home to Rapid City, is the second largest and is a gateway to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore, important for tourism.

Counties in South Dakota

List of All Counties in South Dakota

  1. Aurora County, South Dakota
  2. Beadle County, South Dakota
  3. Bennett County, South Dakota
  4. Bon Homme County, South Dakota
  5. Brookings County, South Dakota
  6. Brown County, South Dakota
  7. Brule County, South Dakota
  8. Buffalo County, South Dakota
  9. Butte County, South Dakota
  10. Campbell County, South Dakota
  11. Charles Mix County, South Dakota
  12. Clark County, South Dakota
  13. Clay County, South Dakota
  14. Codington County, South Dakota
  15. Corson County, South Dakota
  16. Custer County, South Dakota
  17. Davison County, South Dakota
  18. Day County, South Dakota
  19. Deuel County, South Dakota
  20. Dewey County, South Dakota
  21. Douglas County, South Dakota
  22. Edmunds County, South Dakota
  23. Fall River County, South Dakota
  24. Faulk County, South Dakota
  25. Grant County, South Dakota
  26. Gregory County, South Dakota
  27. Haakon County, South Dakota
  28. Hamlin County, South Dakota
  29. Hand County, South Dakota
  30. Hanson County, South Dakota
  31. Harding County, South Dakota
  32. Hughes County, South Dakota
  33. Hutchinson County, South Dakota
  34. Hyde County, South Dakota
  35. Jackson County, South Dakota
  36. Jerauld County, South Dakota
  37. Jones County, South Dakota
  38. Kingsbury County, South Dakota
  39. Lake County, South Dakota
  40. Lawrence County, South Dakota
  41. Lincoln County, South Dakota
  42. Lyman County, South Dakota
  43. Marshall County, South Dakota
  44. McCook County, South Dakota
  45. McPherson County, South Dakota
  46. Meade County, South Dakota
  47. Mellette County, South Dakota
  48. Miner County, South Dakota
  49. Minnehaha County, South Dakota
  50. Moody County, South Dakota
  51. Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota
  52. Pennington County, South Dakota
  53. Perkins County, South Dakota
  54. Potter County, South Dakota
  55. Roberts County, South Dakota
  56. Sanborn County, South Dakota
  57. Spink County, South Dakota
  58. Stanley County, South Dakota
  59. Sully County, South Dakota
  60. Todd County, South Dakota
  61. Tripp County, South Dakota
  62. Turner County, South Dakota
  63. Union County, South Dakota
  64. Walworth County, South Dakota
  65. Yankton County, South Dakota
  66. Ziebach County, South Dakota

Largest Counties in South Dakota

1. Meade County

Overview

Meade County is the largest county in South Dakota by land area, covering 3,482 square miles. It is located in the western part of the state and is bordered by Butte County to the north, Lawrence County to the west, and Pennington County to the south. Meade County was established in 1889 and named after Fort Meade, which was established to protect settlers in the Black Hills region. The county’s economy is driven by agriculture, ranching, and tourism, with the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The county is also home to parts of the Black Hills National Forest and scenic areas like Bear Butte.

County Facts

  • Population: Approximately 29,000
  • County Seat: Sturgis
  • Major Airports: Rapid City Regional Airport (nearby)
  • Major Highways: Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 212, South Dakota Highway 79

2. Pennington County

Overview

Pennington County, located in the southwestern part of South Dakota, covers 2,784 square miles. It is bordered by Custer County to the south, Meade County to the north, and Jackson County to the east. Established in 1875, the county was named after John L. Pennington, a former governor of the Dakota Territory. The county seat, Rapid City, serves as a major gateway to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore, making tourism a key component of the county’s economy. The county is home to various attractions, including Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park. In addition to tourism, the local economy benefits from agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing.

County Facts

  • Population: Approximately 115,000
  • County Seat: Rapid City
  • Major Airports: Rapid City Regional Airport
  • Major Highways: Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 16, U.S. Highway 385, South Dakota Highway 44

3. Custer County

Overview

Custer County is located in the southwestern part of South Dakota and spans 1,559 square miles. It is bordered by Pennington County to the north, Fall River County to the south, and Wyoming to the west. The county was established in 1875 and named after General George Armstrong Custer, whose 1874 expedition into the Black Hills led to the discovery of gold. Custer County is known for its stunning landscapes, including parts of the Black Hills, Custer State Park, and Jewel Cave National Monument. The local economy is centered on tourism, agriculture, and forestry, with visitors drawn to its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

County Facts

  • Population: Approximately 8,000
  • County Seat: Custer
  • Major Airports: None (Rapid City Regional Airport nearby)
  • Major Highways: U.S. Highway 16, U.S. Highway 385, South Dakota Highway 87

4. Lawrence County

Overview

Lawrence County is located in the northern Black Hills region of South Dakota and covers 800 square miles. It is bordered by Butte County to the north, Meade County to the east, and Wyoming to the west. The county was established in 1875 and named after John Lawrence, a prominent politician in the Dakota Territory. Lawrence County is famous for its gold mining history, particularly in the historic town of Deadwood, which played a central role during the Black Hills Gold Rush. Today, tourism remains a significant part of the local economy, with attractions like the Deadwood Historic District and Spearfish Canyon. The county also supports agriculture, with cattle ranching being the most common activity.

County Facts

  • Population: Approximately 25,000
  • County Seat: Deadwood
  • Major Airports: Black Hills Airport-Clyde Ice Field
  • Major Highways: Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 14A, U.S. Highway 85

5. Butte County

Overview

Butte County is located in northwestern South Dakota and spans 2,266 square miles. It is bordered by Harding County to the north, Lawrence County to the west, and Meade County to the south. Established in 1883, the county was named after the numerous buttes that dot the region’s landscape. The county seat, Belle Fourche, is known as the geographic center of the United States, a title it earned after the addition of Alaska and Hawaii to the union. Butte County’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, particularly cattle ranching and crop farming, but it also benefits from tourism and outdoor recreation, particularly in the Belle Fourche River Valley.

County Facts

  • Population: Approximately 10,000
  • County Seat: Belle Fourche
  • Major Airports: None (Rapid City Regional Airport nearby)
  • Major Highways: U.S. Highway 85, U.S. Highway 212

6. Fall River County

Overview

Fall River County is located in the southwestern corner of South Dakota and spans 1,740 square miles. It is bordered by Custer County to the north, Nebraska to the south, and Wyoming to the west. Established in 1883, the county was named for the Fall River, which runs through the area. Hot Springs, the county seat, is famous for its natural warm springs and historic sandstone buildings. Fall River County is home to Wind Cave National Park and portions of the Black Hills National Forest. The local economy is driven by tourism, agriculture, and healthcare, with Hot Springs serving as a regional healthcare hub due to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center located there.

County Facts

  • Population: Approximately 6,700
  • County Seat: Hot Springs
  • Major Airports: None (Rapid City Regional Airport nearby)
  • Major Highways: U.S. Highway 18, U.S. Highway 385

7. Oglala Lakota County

Overview

Oglala Lakota County, formerly known as Shannon County, is located in southwestern South Dakota and covers 2,094 square miles. It is bordered by Jackson County to the north, Bennett County to the east, and Nebraska to the south. The county was renamed in 2015 to reflect the Oglala Lakota people who make up the majority of its population. The county is home to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, one of the largest Native American reservations in the United States. Oglala Lakota County is known for its striking Badlands scenery and deep cultural history, including the Wounded Knee Massacre site. The local economy is primarily based on government services, education, and healthcare related to the reservation.

County Facts

  • Population: Approximately 14,000
  • County Seat: None (administrative offices are located in Hot Springs)
  • Major Airports: None (Rapid City Regional Airport nearby)
  • Major Highways: U.S. Highway 18, South Dakota Highway 44

8. Jackson County

Overview

Jackson County is located in south-central South Dakota and spans 1,871 square miles. It is bordered by Oglala Lakota County to the south, Pennington County to the west, and Haakon County to the north. The county was established in 1883 and named after Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. Jackson County is home to part of Badlands National Park, a major tourist destination known for its unique rock formations and fossil beds. The local economy is largely based on agriculture, with cattle ranching and crop farming being the primary activities. Tourism related to the Badlands also contributes to the economy.

County Facts

  • Population: Approximately 3,000
  • County Seat: Kadoka
  • Major Airports: None (Rapid City Regional Airport nearby)
  • Major Highways: Interstate 90, South Dakota Highway 73

9. Harding County

Overview

Harding County is located in the far northwestern corner of South Dakota and covers 2,678 square miles. It is bordered by North Dakota to the north, Montana to the west, and Butte County to the south. Established in 1881, the county was named after J.A. Harding, a prominent figure in the Dakota Territory. Harding County is sparsely populated and largely rural, with much of its land dedicated to cattle ranching. The county’s landscape includes rolling plains, badlands, and buttes, including the famous Slim Buttes. The local economy is based primarily on agriculture, with ranching being the dominant industry.

County Facts

  • Population: Approximately 1,300
  • County Seat: Buffalo
  • Major Airports: None
  • Major Highways: U.S. Highway 85, South Dakota Highway 20

10. Stanley County

Overview

Stanley County is located in central South Dakota, covering 1,445 square miles. It is bordered by Hughes County to the east, Haakon County to the northwest, and Jones County to the south. The county was established in 1873 and named after David S. Stanley, a Union Army general. The county seat, Fort Pierre, is situated along the Missouri River and is known for its historical significance, including the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The local economy is driven by agriculture, government services, and tourism, with the Missouri River serving as a focal point for recreation and water-based activities.

County Facts

  • Population: Approximately 3,000
  • County Seat: Fort Pierre
  • Major Airports: Pierre Regional Airport (nearby)
  • Major Highways: U.S. Highway 83, South Dakota Highway 34

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