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Fall River County, South Dakota facts for kids

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Fall River County
U.S. county
Battle Mountain Sanitarium in Hot Springs.
Map of South Dakota highlighting Fall River County
Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting South Dakota
South Dakota's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  South Dakota
Founded April 3, 1883
Named for Fall River
Seat Hot Springs
Largest city Hot Springs
Area
 • Total 1,749 sq mi (4,530 km2)
 • Land 1,740 sq mi (4,500 km2)
 • Water 9.2 sq mi (24 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 6,973
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 7,393 Increase
 • Density 3.9868/sq mi (1.5393/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district At-large

Fall River County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,973. Its county seat is Hot Springs. The county was founded in 1883. It is named for Fall River which runs through it.

Geography

Fall River County lies at South Dakota's SW corner. Its south borderline abuts the north borderline of the state of Nebraska, and its west borderline abuts the east borderline of the state of Wyoming. The Fall River County terrain contains a mountainous area in the north-central portion, with rolling hills in the rest of the county. Outside the mountainous area, the county's highest point is its SW corner, at 3,970 ft (1,210 m) ASL. Of the several peaks in the mountainous area, one in the NE portion of that zone rises to 4,646 ft (1,416 m) ASL. The terrain slopes to the north and east. Discharging from the Angostura Reservoir, the Cheyenne River flows northeasterly through the upper part of the county, departing the county through its north boundary line into Custer County.

Fall River County has a total area of 1,749 square miles (4,530 km2), of which 1,740 square miles (4,500 km2) is land and 9.2 square miles (24 km2) (0.5%) is water.

Major highways

  • US 18
  • US 385
  • SD 71
  • SD 79
  • SD 89
  • SD 471

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

  • Angostura Reservoir State Game Production Area
  • Angostura State Recreation Area
  • Bailey State Lakeside Use Area
  • Battle Mountain State Game Production Area
  • Black Hills National Forest (partial)
  • Buffalo Gap National Grassland (partial)
  • Friendshuh State Game Production Area (partial)
  • Hill Ranch State Game Production Area
  • Oral State Game Production Area
  • Romey State Game Production Area
  • Scherbarth State Game Production Area
  • Sheps Canyon State Lakeside Use Area
  • Sheps Canyon State Recreation Area
  • Williams Dam State Game Production

Lakes

  • Angostura Reservoir
  • Coldbrook Lake
  • Cottonwood Springs Lake

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1890 4,478 —
1900 3,541 −20.9%
1910 7,763 119.2%
1920 6,985 −10.0%
1930 8,741 25.1%
1940 8,089 −7.5%
1950 10,439 29.1%
1960 10,688 2.4%
1970 7,505 −29.8%
1980 8,439 12.4%
1990 7,353 −12.9%
2000 7,453 1.4%
2010 7,094 −4.8%
2020 6,973 −1.7%
2023 (est.) 7,393 4.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020
Demography Fall River County

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 6,973 people, 3,226 households, and 1,891 families residing in the county. The population density was 4.0 inhabitants per square mile (1.5/km2). There were 4,081 housing units.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 7,094 people, 3,272 households, and 1,899 families in the county. The population density was 4.1 inhabitants per square mile (1.6/km2). There were 4,191 housing units at an average density of 2.4 units per square mile (0.93 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.6% white, 7.1% American Indian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 39.7% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 11.2% were English, 8.4% were Norwegian, 5.9% were Dutch, and 2.3% were American.

Of the 3,272 households, 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 42.0% were non-families, and 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.74. The median age was 50.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,833 and the median income for a family was $53,750. Males had a median income of $36,495 versus $32,058 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,574. About 11.4% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 21.3% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Town

Census-designated places

Other communities

Townships

  • Argentine
  • Provo
  • Robins

Unorganized territories

  • Northeast Fall River
  • Southwest Fall River
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