Mellette County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,918. Its county seat is White River. The county was created in 1909, and was organized in 1911. It was named for Arthur C. Mellette, the last Governor of the Dakota Territory and the first Governor of the state of South Dakota.

Historically territory of the Sioux/Lakota peoples, 33.35 percent of the county's land is trust land associated with the Rosebud Indian Reservation in the neighboring county to the south. According to the 2000 United States census, 52.2% of the population is Native American, mostly the federally recognized Sicangu Oyate (Upper Brulé Sioux) and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, a branch of the Lakota people.

Geography

The White River flows eastward along the north boundary line of Mellette County. The Little White River flows northward through central Mellette County, discharging into White River. The terrain consists of semi-arid rolling hills, the northern portion dotted with ponds and small lakes. The area is mostly devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the northeast; its highest point is the SW corner at ASL. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.3%) is water.

The eastern portion of South Dakota's counties (48 of 66) observe Central Time; the western counties (18 of 66) observe Mountain Time. Mellette County is the westernmost of the SD counties to observe Central Time.

Major highways

  • 20px U.S. Highway 83
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 44
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 53
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 63

Adjacent counties

  • Jones County – north
  • Lyman County – northeast
  • Tripp County – east
  • Todd County – south
  • Bennett County – southwest (observes Mountain Time)
  • Jackson County – west (observes Mountain Time)

Demographics

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See also

thumb|upright|The Geography, Geology and Biology of Mellett, Washabaugh, Bennett and Todd Counties, South-Central South Dakota

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

References

Further reading

  • Part of a series on South Dakota counties.