McCook County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,682. Its county seat is Salem. The county was established in 1873, and was organized in 1878. It was named for the former governor of the Dakota Territory and Civil War general Edwin Stanton McCook.

McCook County is part of the Sioux Falls metropolitan area.

Geography

The terrain of McCook County consists of rolling hills, mostly devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the south and southwest; its highest point is near its northeast corner, at ASL.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.5%) is water. It is the 52nd largest county in South Dakota by total area.

Major highways

  • 20px Interstate 90
  • 20px U.S. Highway 81
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 38
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 42

Adjacent counties

  • Lake County – northeast
  • Minnehaha County – east
  • Turner County – southeast
  • Hutchinson County – southwest
  • Hanson County – west
  • Miner County – northwest

Protected areas

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 5,682 people, 2,159 households, and 1,505 families residing in the county. The population density was .

There were 2,159 households in the county, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 18.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

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Communities

Cities

  • Bridgewater
  • Canistota
  • Montrose
  • Salem (county seat)
  • Spencer

Census-designated places

  • Golden View Colony
  • Orland Colony

Unincorporated communities

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