MELLETTE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA

'Mellette County' is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of 2000, the population is 2,083. Its county seat is White River⁶. The county was named after Arthur C. Mellette (June 25, 1842 – May 25, 1896) who was the last Governor of the Dakota Territory and was the first Governor of the state of South Dakota.

Contents

Geography

Townships

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Cities and towns

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,392 km² (1,310 mi²). 3,384 km² (1,306 mi²) of it is land and 8 km² (3 mi²) of it (0.25%) is water.

Townships

The county is divided into sixteen townships: Bad Nation, Blackpipe, Butte, Cody, Fairview, Mosher, New Surprise Valley, Norris, Prospect, Red Fish, Ring Thunder, Riverside, Rocky Ford, Rosebud, Running Bird, and Surprise Valley; and two areas of unorganized territory: Cedarbutte and Central Mellette.

Major highways

★ U.S. Highway 83

★ South Dakota Highway 44

★ South Dakota Highway 53

★ South Dakota Highway 63

Adjacent counties

★ Jones County, South Dakota - north

★ Lyman County, South Dakota - northeast

★ Tripp County, South Dakota - east

★ Todd County, South Dakota - south

★ Jackson County, South Dakota - west

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 2,083 people, 694 households, and 498 families residing in the county. The population density was 1/km² (2/mi²). There were 824 housing units at an average density of 0/km² (1/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 44.74% White, 52.42% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 2.50% from two or more races. 1.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 694 households out of which 38.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.80% were married couples living together, 16.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.49.
In the county, the population was spread out with 35.30% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.60 males.

Cities and towns

★ White River

★ Wood