FAULK County, SD

Faulk County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,125. Its county seat is Faulkton. The county was founded in 1873 and organized in 1883. It is named for Andrew Jackson Faulk, the third Governor of Dakota Territory.

Geography

The terrain of Faulk County consists of low rolling hills, largely devoted to agriculture, sloping to the east. The highest point of the terrain is the county's SW corner, at 1,916' (584m) ASL. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.4%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Lakes

Demographics

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 2,640 people, 1,014 households, and 708 families in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 1,235 housing units at an average density of 1.3 per square mile (0.5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 99.47% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.04% Asian, and 0.27% from two or more races. 0.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 65.0% were of German, 6.2% American and 5.2% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 1,014 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.40% were married couples living together, 3.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.18.

The county population contained 26.60% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 22.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,237, and the median income for a family was $34,508. Males had a median income of $25,085 versus $16,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,660. About 12.60% of families and 18.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.60% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,364 people, 869 households, and 532 families in the county. The population density was . There were 1,136 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 98.9% white, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.1% black or African American, 0.0% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 70.0% were German, 9.6% were Irish, 7.1% were English, 5.7% were Norwegian, and 4.3% were American.

Of the 869 households, 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 4.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.8% were non-families, and 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 46.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,203 and the median income for a family was $55,234. Males had a median income of $40,641 versus $23,571 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,898. About 14.4% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Politics

Faulk County voters have largely voted Republican for several decades. In only two national elections since 1944 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2016).