BROWN County, SD

Brown County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 38,301, making it the fourth-most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat is Aberdeen. The county is named for Alfred Brown, of Hutchinson County, South Dakota, a Dakota Territory legislator in 1879.

Brown County is part of the Aberdeen, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Brown County lies on the north side of South Dakota. Its north boundary line abuts the south boundary line of the state of North Dakota. The James River flows south-southwest through the county; its entry point into neighboring Spink County marks Brown County's lowest elevation: 1,266' (386m) ASL. The terrain of Brown County consists of rolling terrain, sloping to the south and east, largely devoted to agriculture.

The county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.0%) is water.

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Demographics

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 35,460 people, 14,638 households, and 9,324 families in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 15,861 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.47% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 2.72% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 55.0% were of German and 12.7% of Norwegian ancestry.

There were 14,638 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.80% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.30% were non-families. 30.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.

The county population contained 23.60% under the age of 18, 11.60% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,017, and the median income for a family was $44,788. Males had a median income of $29,592 versus $20,445 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,464. About 7.00% of families and 9.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.30% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 36,531 people, 15,489 households, and 9,374 families in the county. The population density was . There were 16,706 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% white, 3.0% American Indian, 1.0% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry,

Of the 15,489 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.5% were non-families, and 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 38.6 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,615 and the median income for a family was $58,683. Males had a median income of $37,997 versus $28,419 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,878. About 5.6% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Brown County was long a Democratic stronghold, home to notable Democrats including South Dakota Governor Ralph Herseth, US Senate majority leader Tom Daschle and Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. It generally voted Democratic except in Republican landslides (though often relatively narrowly margins) in presidential elections from 1932 until 1996. Since then, Brown County has trended Republican, particularly at the local level, although the county was carried by Barack Obama in 2008.

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