Walworth County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,315. Its county seat is Selby. The county was created in 1873 and organized in 1883. It is named for Walworth County, Wisconsin.
Geography
The Missouri River flows southward along the county's west boundary line. Swan Creek flows west-northwest through the county's SW corner, discharging into the Missouri. The county's terrain consists of semi-arid rolling hills, carved by drainages and gullies. Most of the area is devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the south and east, although the western portion of the county drops westward into the Missouri River valley. The county's highest point is on the eastern portion of its north boundary line, at 1,982' (604m) ASL. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (4.8%) is water.
The eastern portion of South Dakota's counties (48 of 66) observe Central Time; the western counties (18 of 66) observe Mountain Time. Walworth County is the westernmost of the SD counties to observe Central Time.
Major highways
20px U.S. Highway 12
20px U.S. Highway 83
20px South Dakota Highway 20
20px South Dakota Highway 47
23px South Dakota Highway 130
23px South Dakota Highway 144
23px South Dakota Highway 271
23px South Dakota Highway 1804
Adjacent counties
Campbell County - north
McPherson County - northeast
Edmunds County - east
Potter County - south
Dewey County - southwest (observes Mountain Time)
Corson County - northwest (observes Mountain Time)
Protected areas
Blue Blanket Lake State Game Production Area
Bowdle Beach State Lakeside Use Area
Indian Creek State Recreation Area
Lake Hiddenwood State Recreation Area
LeBeau State Lakeside Use Area
Oahe Blue Blanket State Game Production Area
Revheim Bay Recreation Area
Spring Lake State Game Production Area
Swan Creek State Game Production Area
Swan Creek State Recreation Area
Swan Lake State Game Production Area
Thomas Bay State Lakeside Use Area
Walth Bay State Game Production Area
Walth Bay State Lakeside Use Area
Lakes
Horseshoe Lake
Lake Hiddenwood
Lake Oahe (part)
Molsted Lake
Spring Lake
Swan Lake
Demographics
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 5,974 people, 2,506 households, and 1,643 families in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3/km2). There were 3,144 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.58% White, 0.03% Black or African American, 11.77% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,506 households, out of which 26.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.40% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 31.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.89.
The county population contained 24.10% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 22.40% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 21.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,834, and the median income for a family was $33,654. Males had a median income of $23,284 versus $17,902 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,492. About 14.70% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.00% of those under age 18 and 13.40% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,438 people, 2,392 households, and 1,490 families in the county. The population density was . There were 3,003 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 82.6% white, 14.3% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 56.9% were German, 12.5% were Norwegian, 8.9% were Russian, 5.4% were Irish, and 3.1% were American.
Of the 2,392 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.7% were non-families, and 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 47.2 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,517 and the median income for a family was $51,250. Males had a median income of $37,857 versus $21,551 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,716. About 7.5% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Mobridge
Selby (county seat)
Towns
Akaska (Population:42)
Glenham (Population:105)
Java (Population:129)
Lowry (Population:6)
Unincorporated community
Sitka
Unorganized territory
West Walworth
East Walworth
Politics
Walworth County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. Only three Democratic presidential candidates have ever carried the county: William Jennings Bryan in 1896, Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936, and Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
