Codington County, South Dakota

Codington County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 27,227.[1] Its county seat is Watertown.[2] The county was created in 1877 and organized in 1878.[3] It is named for Rev. George S. S. Codington, Dakota Territory legislator.[4]

Codington County
U.S. county
Codington County Courthouse in July 2013
Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota
South Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°59′N 97°11′W
Country	United States
State	South Dakota
Founded	1877 (created) 1878 (organized)
Named for	Reverend George S. S. Codington
Seat	Watertown
Largest city	Watertown
Area
• Total	717 sq mi (1,860 km^2)
• Land	688 sq mi (1,780 km^2)
• Water	29 sq mi (80 km^2)  4.0%
Population  (2010)
• Total	27,227
• Estimate  (2018)	28,015
• Density	38/sq mi (15/km^2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	At-large
Website	www.codington.org

Codington County comprises the Watertown, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Native vegetation based on NRCS soils information

Codington County terrain consists of rolling hills dotted with lakes and ponds, especially in the SW portion. The land is largely devoted to agriculture.[5] The terrain is higher on the county's east and west sides, and generally slopes to the south.[6] The county has a total area of 717 square miles (1,860 km²), of which 688 square miles (1,780 km²) is land and 29 square miles (75 km²) (4.0%) is water.[7]

Major highways

• Interstate 29
• U.S. Highway 81
• U.S. Highway 212
• South Dakota Highway 20
• South Dakota Highway 20P

Adjacent counties

• Grant County - northeast
• Deuel County - southeast
• Hamlin County - south
• Clark County - west
• Day County - northwest

Protected areas

• American Game Association State Public Shooting Area[8]
• Blythe State Public Shooting Area[9]
• Christopherson State Public Shooting Area[10]
• Clarksean State Public Shooting Area[11]
• Codington County State Public Shooting Area[12]
• Curley State Public Shooting Area[13]
• Elmore State Public Shooting Area[14]
• Gilbert State Public Shooting Area[15]
• Goose Lake State Public Shooting Area[16]
• Hanson State Public Shooting Area[17]
• Horseshoe Lake State Public Shooting Area[18]
• Larson State Public Shooting Area[19]
• McKillicans Lake State Public Shooting Area[20]
• North Nichols State Public Shooting Area[21]
• North Stink Lake State Public Shooting Area[22]
• Pelican Lake State Recreation Area[23]
• Punished Womans Lake State Shooting Area[24]
• Sandy Shore State Recreation Area[25]
• Spencer State Public Shooting Area[26]
• Spoonbill Pass State Public Shooting Area[27]
• Thompson's Point State Lakeside Use Area[28]
• Warner Lake State Public Shooting Area[29]
• Wolf State Public Shooting Area (partial)[30]

Major lakes[5]

• Cottonwood Lake
• Dry Lake
• Goose Lake
• Grass Lake
• Horseshoe Lake
• Kings Lake
• Lake Kampeska
• Lake Nicholson
• Long Lake
• McKillicans Lake
• Medicine Lake
• Pelican Lake
• Punished Womans Lake
• Round Lake
• Still Lake
• Warner Lake

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	2,156		—
1890	7,037		226.4%
1900	8,770		24.6%
1910	14,092		60.7%
1920	16,549		17.4%
1930	17,457		5.5%
1940	17,014		−2.5%
1950	18,944		11.3%
1960	20,220		6.7%
1970	19,140		−5.3%
1980	20,885		9.1%
1990	22,698		8.7%
2000	25,897		14.1%
2010	27,227		5.1%
Est. 2019	28,009	[31]	2.9%
US Decennial Census[32] 1790-1960[33] 1900-1990[34] 1990-2000[35] 2010-2018[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[36] there were 25,897 people, 10,357 households, and 6,877 families in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 11,324 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.74% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 1.41% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 48.2% were of German, 20.0% Norwegian and 5.5% Irish ancestry, 96.7% spoke English, 1.5% Spanish and 1.2% German as their first language.

There were 10,357 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.60% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.04.

The county population contained 26.80% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 20.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,257, and the median income for a family was $45,153. Males had a median income of $30,279 versus $19,826 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,761. About 5.60% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 27,227 people, 11,432 households, and 7,216 families in the county.[37] The population density was 39.5 inhabitants per square mile (15.3/km²). There were 12,397 housing units at an average density of 18.0 per square mile (6.9/km²).[38] The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% white, 2.0% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.6% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population.[37] In terms of ancestry, 54.3% were German, 22.6% were Norwegian, 9.6% were Irish, 6.7% were English, and 3.3% were American.[39]

Of the 11,432 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.9% were non-families, and 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 37.7 years.[37]

The median income for a household in the county was $43,275 and the median income for a family was $60,202. Males had a median income of $39,076 versus $26,945 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,781. About 8.9% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.[40]

Communities

City

• Watertown (county seat)

Towns

• Florence
• Henry
• Kranzburg
• South Shore
• Wallace

Census-designated place

• Waverly

Unincorporated communities

• Appleby[41]
• Grover
• Kampeska
• Rauville[42]

Townships

• Dexter
• Eden
• Elmira
• Fuller
• Germantown
• Graceland
• Henry
• Kampeska
• Kranzburg
• Lake
• Leola
• Pelican
• Phipps
• Rauville
• Richland
• Sheridan
• Waverly

Politics

Codington County voters have been reliably Republican for several decades. In no national election since 1976 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

Presidential election results

Presidential elections results[43]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2016	66.5% 7,764	27.2% 3,174	6.3% 731
2012	58.1% 6,696	39.8% 4,588	2.1% 240
2008	52.3% 6,374	45.9% 5,595	1.8% 216
2004	61.0% 7,778	37.7% 4,803	1.3% 170
2000	60.3% 6,718	37.6% 4,192	2.1% 228
1996	45.2% 4,995	42.7% 4,722	12.1% 1,338
1992	36.0% 3,943	33.8% 3,701	30.2% 3,299
1988	52.0% 5,050	47.1% 4,570	1.0% 94
1984	63.1% 6,108	36.5% 3,528	0.4% 42
1980	59.1% 5,903	33.6% 3,353	7.4% 734
1976	48.9% 4,504	50.8% 4,680	0.3% 29
1972	51.6% 4,936	48.1% 4,601	0.3% 27
1968	46.5% 3,929	50.1% 4,235	3.4% 288
1964	40.2% 3,593	59.8% 5,353
1960	55.2% 5,309	44.8% 4,304
1956	57.7% 5,150	42.3% 3,772
1952	65.9% 5,750	34.1% 2,974
1948	45.0% 3,349	54.3% 4,042	0.7% 50
1944	51.8% 3,348	48.2% 3,120
1940	53.8% 4,320	46.2% 3,705
1936	39.4% 3,005	55.9% 4,256	4.7% 359
1932	34.3% 2,538	65.0% 4,806	0.7% 52
1928	53.1% 3,762	46.6% 3,299	0.4% 26
1924	41.4% 1,862	13.9% 627	44.7% 2,011
1920	59.8% 2,706	19.2% 867	21.0% 949
1916	51.8% 1,550	44.9% 1,344	3.2% 97
1912	0.0% 0	45.0% 1,111	55.0% 1,356
1908	63.3% 1,618	32.5% 831	4.2% 107
1904	72.2% 1,741	24.1% 582	3.7% 89
1900	58.3% 1,225	38.3% 805	3.4% 72
1896	57.1% 1,041	41.6% 759	1.3% 23
1892	52.2% 882	24.1% 408	23.7% 401

See also

• Codington County Courthouse
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Codington County, South Dakota

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 86.
5. Codington County SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
6. ""Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)". Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
8. American Game Association State Public Shooting Area, Florence SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
9. Blythe State Public Shooting Area, Henry SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
10. Christopherson State Public Shooting Area, Henry SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
11. Clarksean State Public Shooting Area, Henry SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
12. Codington County State Public Shooting Area Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
13. Curley State Public Shooting Area Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
14. Elmore State Public Shooting Area Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
15. Gilbert State Public Shooting Area, Henry SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
16. Goose Lake State Public Shooting Area, Watertown SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
17. Hanson State Public Shooting Area Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
18. Horseshoe Lake State Public Shooting Area, Florence SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
19. Larson State Public Shooting Area, South Shore SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
20. McKillicans Lake State Public Shooting Area, Florence SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
21. North Nichols State Public Shooting Area, Florence SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
22. North Stink Lake State Public Shooting Area, Henry SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
23. Pelican Lake State Recreation Area Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
24. Punished Womans Lake State Shooting Area, South Shore SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
25. Sandy Shore State Recreation Area Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
26. Spencer State Public Shooting Area, Henry SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
27. Spoonbill Pass State Public Shooting Area, Henry SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
28. Thompson's Point State Lakeside Use Area Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
29. Warner Lake State Public Shooting Area, Henry SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
30. Wolf State Public Shooting Area, Hazel SD Google Maps (accessed February 1, 2019)
31. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019". Retrieved April 10, 2020.
32. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
33. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
34. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
35. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
36. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
37. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
38. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
39. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
40. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
41. Appleby SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
42. Rauville SD Google Maps (accessed 1 February 2019)
43. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 13 April 2018.