Hughes County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 17,765, making it the least populous capital county in the nation, and the twelfth-most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat is Pierre, which is also the state capital. The county was created in 1873, and was organized in 1880. It was named for Alexander Hughes, a legislator. On 4 June 1891, the county's area was increased by the addition of Farm Island, in the Missouri River downstream of Pierre.
Hughes County is part of the Pierre, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
The Missouri River forms the southwestern boundary line of Hughes County. The county's terrain consists of rolling hills cut by gullies and drainages. The area is partially dedicated to agriculture, including the use of center pivot irrigation.
The county terrain generally slopes to the southeast, although the hills along the west fall off into the river valley. The county's highest point is on the upper part of the east boundary line, at 1,952' (595m) ASL. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (7.4%) is water.
Major highways
20px U.S. Highway 14
20px U.S. Highway 83
20px South Dakota Highway 34
23px South Dakota Highway 1804
Airport
Pierre Regional Airport (PIR) serves Hughes County and the surrounding communities.
Adjacent counties
Sully County - north
Hyde County - east
Lyman County - south
Stanley County - west
Protected areas
Arikara State Game Production Area
Buckeye State Game Production Area
Cowan State Game Production Area
DeGrey State Game Production Area
DeGrey State Lakeside Use Area
Dry Run State Game Production Area
East Shore State Lakeside Use Area
Farm Island State Recreation Area
Fort George State Game Production Area
Fort George State Lakeside Use Area
Gutenkauf State Game Production Area
Joe Creek Recreation Area
LaFramboise Island State Nature Area
North Bend State Lakeside Use Area
North Big Bend State Game Production Area
Oahe Mission Recreation Area
Peoria Flats State Game Production Area
Peoria Flats State Lakeside Use Area
Rousseau State Game Production Area
Rousseau State Lakeside Use Area
Sand Creek State Game Production Area
Spring Creek State Recreation Area
Tailrace Recreation Area
Valley state Game Production Area
West Bend State Recreation Area
West Big Bend State Game Production Area
West DeGrey State Game Production Area
Woodruff Lake State Game Production Area
Lakes
Lake Oahe (part)
Lake Sharpe (part)
Woodruff Lake
Demographics
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 16,481 people, 6,512 households, and 4,310 families in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (9/km2). There were 7,055 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.91% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 8.70% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 1.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,512 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.80% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% 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 27.80% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,970, and the median income for a family was $51,235. Males had a median income of $32,228 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,689. About 6.00% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.80% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,022 people, 7,066 households, and 4,435 families in the county. The population density was . There were 7,623 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 85.7% white, 10.5% American Indian, 0.5% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 42.7% were German, 12.4% were Norwegian, 9.8% were Irish, 9.7% were English, and 3.8% were American.
Of the 7,066 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.2% were non-families, and 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90. The median age was 39.8 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $53,501 and the median income for a family was $70,881. Males had a median income of $42,701 versus $32,265 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,236. About 7.1% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Hughes is a strongly Republican county in Presidential and Congressional elections. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. In 2012, Republican Mitt Romney won 64% of the county's vote.
In the South Dakota Senate Hughes is part of the 24th Senate district, which is held by Republican Bob Gray. In the State House Hughes is part of district 24, which is held by Republicans Tad Perry and Mark Venner.
Communities
Cities
Blunt
Pierre (county seat)
Town
Harrold
Unincorporated communities
Canning
Townships
Raber
Valley
Unorganized territories
Crow Creek
North Hughes
West Hughes
