Grant County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,556. The county seat is Milbank. The county was founded in 1873 and organized in 1878. It is named for Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States.

Geography

Grant County lies on the east side of South Dakota. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Minnesota. The terrain consists of rolling hills, sloping to the northeast. The area is largely devoted to agriculture.Grant County SD Google Maps (accessed February 3, 2019) The highest point of the terrain is on the county's south boundary line, towards its southwest corner, at ASL.

Grant County has a total area of , of which is land and (0.9%) is water.

The lowest point in the state of South Dakota is located on Big Stone Lake at Big Stone City in Grant County, adjacent to Ortonville, Minnesota, where the lake flows into the Minnesota River.

Major highways

Interstate 29 U.S. Route 12 U.S. Route 81 South Dakota Highway 15 South Dakota Highway 20 South Dakota Highway 109 South Dakota Highway 123 South Dakota Highway 158

Adjacent counties

Roberts County—north Big Stone County, Minnesota—northeast Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota—east Deuel County—south Codington County—southwest Day County—west

Protected areas Mazeppa State Public Shooting AreaMazeppa State Public Shooting Area, Twin Brooks SD Google Maps (accessed February 3, 2019) Mud Lake State Public Shooting AreaMud Lake State Public Shooting Area, Revillo SD Google Maps (accessed February 3, 2019)

Lakes Source:

Big Stone Lake (adjacent) Crooked Lake LaBolt Lake Lake Albert Lake Farley Lonesome Lake (partial) Mud Lake Myers Lake Summit Lake Twin Lakes

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, there were 7,556 people, 3,103 households, and 2,014 families residing in the county, for a population density of and 3,426 housing units.

The racial makeup of the county was 90.6% White, 0.0% Black or African American, 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 3.5% from some other race, and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.4% of the population.

Of the residents, 22.8% were under the age of 18 and 23.7% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 44.8 years. For every 100 females there were 106.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 105.5 males.

Of the 3,103 households, 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 20.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,426 housing units, of which 9.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.5% were owner-occupied and 24.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%.

2010 census As of the 2010 census, there were 7,356 people, 3,089 households, and 2,076 families in the county. The population density was . There were 3,526 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.1% white, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% black or African American, 1.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 49.9% were German, 16.8% were Norwegian, 8.9% were Irish, 6.7% were Swedish, 5.6% were English, and 5.2% were American.

Of the 3,089 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.8% were non-families, and 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 45.1 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,625 and the median income for a family was $56,250. Males had a median income of $36,204 versus $25,567 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,887. About 7.0% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities Cities Big Stone City Milbank (county seat)

Towns

Albee La Bolt Marvin Revillo Stockholm Strandburg Twin Brooks

Unincorporated community Troy

Townships

Adams Alban Big Stone Blooming Valley Farmington Georgia Grant Center Kilborn Lura Madison Mazeppa Melrose Osceola Stockholm Troy Twin Brooks Vernon

Education School districts include: - Text list Big Stone City School District 25-1 Deuel School District 19-4 Florence School District 14-1 Milbank School District 25-4 Summit School District 54-6 Watertown School District 14-4 Waubay School District 18-3 Waverly School District 14-5 Wilmot School District 54-7

Politics Grant County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In only three national elections since 1948 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

See also National Register of Historic Places listings in Grant County, South Dakota

References