Turner County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,673. Its county seat is Parker. The county was established in 1871, and was named for Dakota Territory official John W. Turner.

Turner County is a part of the Sioux Falls metropolitan area.

Geography

The terrain of Turner County consists of rolling hills, carved by gullies and drainages. The area is largely devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the south and east; its highest point is along its west boundary line, at ASL. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.1%) is water.

Major highways

  • 20px U.S. Highway 18
  • 20px U.S. Highway 81
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 19
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 44
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 46
  • South Dakota Highway 19A

Adjacent counties

  • Minnehaha County – northeast
  • Lincoln County – east
  • Clay County – southeast
  • Yankton County – southwest
  • Hutchinson County – west
  • McCook County – northwest

Protected areas

Source:

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thumb|Swan Lake northwest of [[Viborg, South Dakota|Viborg]]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 8,673 people, 3,467 households, and 2,359 families residing in the county. The population density was .

The racial makeup of the county was 93.5% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 1.3% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.9% of the population.

Of the 3,467 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Communities

Cities

  • Centerville
  • Hurley
  • Irene (partial)
  • Marion
  • Parker (county seat)
  • Viborg

Towns

  • Chancellor
  • Davis
  • Dolton
  • Monroe

Census-designated place

  • Cameron Colony

Unincorporated communities

Source:

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Education

School districts include:

  • Centerville School District 60-1
  • Freeman School District 33-1
  • Irene-Wakonda School District 13-3
  • Lennox School District 41-4
  • Marion School District 60-3
  • Menno School District 33-2
  • Parker School District 60-4
  • Viborg Hurley School District 60-6

Former school districts:

  • Hurley School District 60-2. - Merged into Viborg Hurley in 2013.
  • Viborg School District 60-5.