Hanson County, South Dakota

Hanson County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,461. Its county seat is Alexandria. The county was founded in 1871 and organized in 1873. It was named for Joseph R. Hanson, clerk of the first legislature. Hanson County is part of the Mitchell, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county is somewhat unique among those in the United States in that there are no officially registered airports within the county borders.

Geography

The terrain of Hanson County consists of low rolling hills; its area is mostly devoted to agriculture. The James River flows southeastward through the lower western part of the county. The terrain slopes toward the river basin on both sides, and generally gently slopes to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.2%) is water. It is the 64th largest county in South Dakota by total area.

Major highways

20px Interstate 90
20px South Dakota Highway 25
20px South Dakota Highway 38
20px South Dakota Highway 42
23px South Dakota Highway 262

Adjacent counties

Miner County – north
McCook County – east
Hutchinson County – south
Davison County – west
Sanborn County – northwest

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 3,461 people, 1,146 households, and 855 families residing in the county. The population density was .

Of the residents, 29.3% were under the age of 18 and 17.5% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females there were 104.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.6 males.

Communities

Cities

Alexandria (county seat)
Emery

Towns

Farmer
Fulton

Religious communities

Millbrook Colony
Oak Lane Colony
Rockport Colony
Rosedale Colony

Unincorporated community

Epiphany,