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 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. 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

thumb|left|Custer County sign on [[U.S. Route 16|US16/US385]]

  • 20px U.S. Highway 16
  • 23px U.S. Highway 385
  • 23px U.S. Highway 16A
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 36
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 40
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 79
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 87
  • 20px 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

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Education

School districts include:

  • Custer School District 16-1
  • Elk Mountain School District 16-2
  • Hot Springs School District 23-2

See also

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Custer County, South Dakota
  • Crazy Horse Memorial

References