LAKE County, SD

Lake County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 11,059. Its county seat is Madison. The county was formed in 1873.

Geography

The terrain of Lake County consists of rolling hills, with the area devoted to agriculture. A tributary of the East Fork Vermillion River flows south-southeastward through the lower western part of the county, and Buffalo Creek flows southeastward from the central part of the county, leaving the county near its southeast corner. The terrain generally slopes to the south, although high points (ca. 1,814' ASL) are found on the north and south boundary lines and points between.

Lake County has a total area of , of which is land and (2.1%) is water.

Lakes

Protected areas

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 11,276 people, 4,372 households, and 2,828 families in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 5,282 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.76% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 0.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,372 households, out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.30% were non-families. 29.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population contained 23.70% under the age of 18, 15.00% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,087, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $28,994 versus $21,084 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,446. About 5.40% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 11,200 people, 4,483 households, and 2,814 families in the county. The population density was . There were 5,559 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 96.2% white, 0.7% Asian, 0.7% American Indian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.8% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 50.7% were German, 20.6% were Norwegian, 12.4% were Irish, 6.6% were English, 6.2% were Dutch, 5.0% were Danish, and 5.0% were American.

Of the 4,483 households, 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.2% were non-families, and 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 39.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,606 and the median income for a family was $57,753. Males had a median income of $36,370 versus $25,898 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,447. About 6.5% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

Towns

Village

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Historical townsite

Politics

Lake County voters have voted for Republican Party candidates in 62 percent of national elections since 1964.