Custer County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,318. Its

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...

is Custer. The county was created in 1875, and was organized in 1877. It was named after General George Armstrong Custer. Custer County is home to two of the three longest caves in the United States: Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.

Geography

Custer County lies on the west line of South Dakota. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of

Wyoming Wyoming ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States, Western United States. It borders Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho t ...

. The Cheyenne River flows northeastward along the upper portion of the county's east boundary. Battle Creek flows southeastward in the upper eastern part of the county, discharging into Cheyenne River along the county's northeastern boundary line. Spring Creek flows northeastward through the upper eastern part of the county, discharging into the river just north of the county border. The county terrain is mountainous, especially its western portion. The terrain slopes to the east; its lowest point is its NE corner at above sea level (ASL). Its highest point is a mountain crest along the north boundary line, at ASL. Custer County has a total area of , of which is land and (0.1%) is water.

Major highways

* U.S. Highway 16 * U.S. Highway 385 * US 16A

U.S. Highway 16A * South Dakota Highway 36 * South Dakota Highway 40 * South Dakota Highway 79 * South Dakota Highway 87 * South Dakota Highway 89

Adjacent counties

* Pennington County - north * Oglala Lakota County - southeast * Fall River County - south * Niobrara County, Wyoming - southwest * Weston County, Wyoming - west

Protected areas

* Black Hills National Forest (part) ** Black Elk Wilderness (part) * Buffalo Gap National Grassland (part) * Custer State Park * Jewel Cave National Monument * Wind Cave National Park

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 8,318 people, 3,794 households, and 2,552 families residing in the county. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 4,837 housing units.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 8,216 people, 3,636 households, and 2,427 families in the county. The population density was . There were 4,628 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 94.2% white, 2.9% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.4% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 42.1% were German, 13.1% were Irish, 11.4% were English, 10.8% were Norwegian, and 7.9% were American. Of the 3,636 households, 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.3% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.65. The median age was 50.3 years. The median income for a household in the county was $46,743 and the median income for a family was $58,253. Males had a median income of $39,194 versus $29,375 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,353. About 4.3% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

* Custer (county seat)

Towns

* Buffalo Gap (Population: 131) * Fairburn (Population: 60) * Hermosa (Population: 382) * Pringle (Population: 109)

Unincorporated communities

* Dewey * Four Mile

Townships

The county is divided into two areas of territory: * East of Custer State Park * West of Custer State Park

Politics

Custer County voters are strongly Republican. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

Education

School districts include:
Text list
/ref> * Custer School District 16-1 * Elk Mountain School District 16-2 * Hot Springs School District 23-2

References

{{coord, 43.68, -103.46, display=title, type:adm2nd_region:US-SD_source:UScensus1990 Black Hills 1877 establishments in Dakota Territory Populated places established in 1877