Brookings County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,375, making it the fifth most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat is Brookings. The county was created in 1862 and organized in 1871.

Brookings County comprises the Brookings, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the location of South Dakota State University.

History

The county was organized July 3, 1871, and was named for Wilmot Wood Brookings (1830-1905), a politician and pioneer of southeastern South Dakota. Medary was the first county seat, from 1871 to 1879, when it was moved to the city of Brookings.

Geography

thumb|right|Soils of Brookings County

Brookings County is on the east side of South Dakota. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Minnesota. The Big Sioux River flows south-southeastward through the east central part of the county; its point of entry into Moody County marks Brookings County's lowest elevation: ASL.

The county terrain consists of sloped flatlands, marked by numerous lakes and ponds especially in the western part. The area is largely devoted to agricultural use. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.6%) is water.

Major highways

  • 20px Interstate 29
  • 20px U.S. Highway 14

:20px

  • 20px U.S. Highway 14 Bypass
  • 20px U.S. Highway 81
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 13
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 30
  • 25px South Dakota Highway 324

Airports

  • Brookings Regional Airport
  • Arlington Municipal Airport

Transit

  • Jefferson Lines

Adjacent counties

  • Deuel County – north
  • Lincoln County, Minnesota – east
  • Pipestone County, Minnesota – southeast
  • Moody County – south
  • Lake County – southwest
  • Kingsbury County – west
  • Hamlin County – northwest

Lakes

  • Brush Lake
  • Johnson Lake
  • Lake Campbell
  • Lake Goldsmith
  • Lake Hendricks (partial)
  • Lake Poinsett
  • Lake Sinai
  • Lake Tetonkaha
  • Oak Lake
  • Oakwood Lake

Protected areas

  • Aurora Prairie Nature Preserve
  • Black Slough State Game Production Area
  • Brookings County State Game Production Area
  • Brookings Prairie Park
  • Dakota Nature Park
  • Deer Creek State Game Production Area
  • Kvernmoe Slough State Game Production Area
  • Lake Hendricks State Lakeside Use Area
  • Lake Poinsett State Recreation Area
  • Mehegan State Game Production Area
  • Moe Slough State game Production Area
  • Nelson State Game Production Area
  • Oak Lake State Game Production Area
  • Oakwood Lake State Game Production Area
  • Oakwood Lakes State Park

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 34,375 people, 13,120 households, and 7,419 families residing in the county. The population density was .

Of the residents, 21.0% were under the age of 18 and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 29.7 years. For every 100 females there were 104.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.9 males.

There were 13,120 households in the county, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

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Education

School districts include:

  • Arlington School District 38-1
  • Brookings School District 05-1
  • Deubrook School District 05-6
  • Elkton School District 05-3
  • Estelline School District 28-2
  • Sioux Valley School District 05-5

See also

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Brookings County, South Dakota

References

  • Brookings County, SD government website