MEADE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA

'Meade County' is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. It was created in 1889 and was named for Fort Meade, which was garrisoned as a United States military post in the area in 1878 and was named for General George Meade. Meade County is the largest county in area in South Dakota. As of 2000, the population was 24,253. Its county seat is Sturgis⁶.

Contents

Geography

Townships

Major Highways

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Cities and towns

External links

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 9,020 km² (3,482 mi²). 8,989 km² (3,471 mi²) of it is land and 31 km² (12 mi²) of it (0.34%) is water.

Townships

The county is divided into seven townships: Dakota, Eagle, Howard, Lakeside, Smithville, and Upper Red Owl; and three areas of unorganized territory: Belle Fourche-Cheyenne Valleys, North Meade, and Southwest Meade.

Major Highways

★ Interstate 90 ★ U.S. Highway 14 ★ U.S. Highway 14A ★ U.S. Highway 212

★ South Dakota Highway 34 ★ South Dakota Highway 73 ★ South Dakota Highway 79

Adjacent Counties

★ Perkins County, South Dakota - north

★ Ziebach County, South Dakota - east

★ Pennington County, South Dakota - south

★ Lawrence County, South Dakota - southwest

★ Butte County, South Dakota - northwest

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 24,253 people, 8,805 households, and 6,700 families residing in the county. The population density was 3/km² (7/mi²). There were 10,149 housing units at an average density of 1/km² (3/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.65% White, 1.48% Black or African American, 2.04% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. 2.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,805 households out of which 39.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.40% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.90% were non-families. 19.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county, the population was spread out with 28.40% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.60 males.

Cities and towns

★ Blackhawk

★ Box Elder

★ Ellsworth AFB

★ Faith

★ Sturgis

★ Summerset

External links

★ Meade County, SD government website

★ Meade County Times-Tribune - local newspaper

★ Black Hills Community Portal Black Hills Area Guide & Community Portal