thumb|[[Missouri River in winter downstream from Yankton, with Nebraska below and South Dakota above. This stretch of the river is part of the 59-mile reach of the Missouri National Recreational River.|300px]]

Yankton County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,310, making it the 9th most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat is Yankton. Yankton County comprises the Yankton, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

thumb|right|[[Gavins Point Dam, impounding Lewis and Clark Lake on the Missouri River in the southwestern part of Yankton County.]]

thumb|right|View of [[Lewis and Clark Lake from Lewis & Clark Recreation Area along the South Dakota shore, west of Yankton.]]

Yankton County lies on the south side of South Dakota. Its south boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the state of Nebraska (across the Missouri River). The Missouri flows eastward along the county's south border. The James River flows south-southeastward through the west central portion of the county, discharging into the Missouri near the midpoint of the county's south line. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, carved by creeks and drainages, hosting several lakes and ponds. The area is devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the south and the east. Its highest point is ASL, on the eastern portion of its north boundary line. The county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.1%) is water.

Lewis & Clark Lake, a popular regional tourist and recreational destination is found in the southwestern part of the county.

Major highways

  • 20px U.S. Highway 81
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 46
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 50
  • 20px South Dakota Highway 52
  • 23px South Dakota Highway 153
  • 23px South Dakota Highway 314

Airports

  • Chan Gurney Municipal Airport

Adjacent counties

  • Turner County – northeast
  • Clay County – east
  • Cedar County, Nebraska – southeast
  • Knox County, Nebraska – southwest
  • Bon Homme County – west
  • Hutchinson County – northwest

Protected areas

Source:

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 23,310 people, 9,435 households, and 5,693 families in the county. Of the residents, 21.1% were under the age of 18 and 20.4% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females there were 103.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.4 males.

The population density was . There were 10,372 housing units, of which 9.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.7% were owner-occupied and 32.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%. The current commissioners are:

  • John Marquardt, Chairman
  • Wanda Howey-Fox, Vice Chairman
  • Don Kettering
  • Ryan Heine
  • Dan Klimisch

The county is located in South Dakota Legislative District 18. As of 2024, Yankton County is represented in the South Dakota Senate by Senator Jean Hunhoff-(R), and in the South Dakota House of Representatives by State Representatives Mike Stevens-(R) and Ryan Cwach-(D). The county is located in South Dakota's At-Large Congressional District, currently held by Republican Dusty Johnson.

In national elections, Yankton County voters have been reliably Republican for several decades. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

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The Yankton County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement in the county and operates the 120-bed county jail. the current Sheriff is Preston Crissey.

Recreation and tourism

Lewis and Clark Lake is located in southwestern Yankton County, west of Yankton. The Lewis & Clark Lake area is a popular regional tourist and recreation destination with parks, trails, campgrounds, boat ramps, and marinas. Gavins Point Dam, which creates Lewis & Clark Lake, is a popular fishing destination on the Missouri River. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks operates the Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area on the northern shore of the lake.

Below Gavins Point Dam, the Missouri National Recreational River is home to one of the few non-channelized portions of the "Big Muddy", and is popular with birdwatchers, hunters, canoers, and kayakers.

Education

School districts include:

  • Bon Homme School District 04-2
  • Gayville-Volin School District 63-1
  • Irene-Wakonda School District 13-3
  • Menno School District 33-2
  • Scotland School District 04-3
  • Viborg Hurley School District 60-6
  • Yankton School District 63-3

Former school districts:

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

See also

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

References

  • Yankton County (Official website)
  • U.S. Census Data - Yankton County