Clark County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,837. Its county seat is Clark. The county was created in 1873 and organized in 1881. It was named for Newton Clark, a Dakota Territory legislator in 1873.

Geography

Clark County terrain consists of rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds especially in the east central portion. The area is mostly devoted to agriculture. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.0%) is water.

Major highways

  • 23px U.S. Highway 212
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 20
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 25
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 28

Adjacent counties

  • Day County – north
  • Codington County – east
  • Hamlin County – southeast
  • Kingsbury County – south
  • Beadle County – southwest
  • Spink County – west

Protected areas

  • Christopherson State Public Shooting Area
  • Dry Lake Number Two State Public Shooting Area
  • Fordham State Public Shooting Area
  • McPeek State Public Shooting Area
  • Stairs Slough State Public Shooting Area
  • Willow Lake State Public Shooting Area

Lakes and reservoirs

  • Baileys Lake
  • Dry Lake Number One
  • Dry Lake Number Two
  • Mud Lake
  • Reid Lake
  • Swan Lake
  • Willow Lake

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 3,837 people, 1,361 households, and 853 families residing in the county. Of the residents, 27.6% were under the age of 18 and 21.2% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females there were 105.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.4 males.

Of the 1,361 households, 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 20.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

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Education

School districts include:

  • Clark School District 12-2
  • De Smet School District 38-2
  • Doland School District 56-2
  • Groton Area School District 06-6
  • Hamlin School District 28-3
  • Henry School District 14-2
  • Webster School District 18-5
  • Willow Lake School District 12-3

See also

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

References