Shannon County, South Dakota

Shannon County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2000 census, the population is 12,466.

The county is the site of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and part of Badlands National Park. The county's per-capita income makes it the second poorest county in the United States. It also has the interesting distinction of having the highest percentage of Democratic votes for President in the 2004 election of any county in the US (85%). It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county; taxes on alcohol consumed within the county go to other counties.

Shannon County is one of two counties in South Dakota that does not have its own county seat (Todd County is the other). Hot Springs in neighboring Fall River County serves as its administrative center.Shannon County South Dakota Genealogy, accessed February 5, 2006.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,430 km² (2,097 mi²). 5,423 km² (2,094 mi²) of it is land and 7 km² (3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.13% water.

The county includes the headwaters of the Little White River.

Townships

The county is divided into two areas of unorganized territory: East Shannon and West Shannon.

Adjacent counties

Pennington County, South Dakota - north
Jackson County, South Dakota - northeast
Bennett County, South Dakota - east
Sheridan County, Nebraska - south
Dawes County, Nebraska - southwest
Fall River County, South Dakota - west
Custer County, South Dakota - northwest

Demographics

1920 - 2,003
1930 - 4,058
1940 - 5,366
1950 - 5,669
1960 - 6,000
1970 - 8,198
1980 - 11,323
1990 - 9,902
2000 - 12,466

Shannon County Population by year

As of the census ² of 2000, there are 12,466 people in the county, organized into 2,785 households, and 2,353 families. The population density is 2/km² (6/mi²). There are 3,123 housing units at an average density of 1/km² (2/mi²).

Shannon County has the highest percentage of Native American population and the lowest percentage White population of any county in the United States. The racial makeup of the county is 94.20% Native American, 4.51% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.02% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,785 households out of which 51.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.40% are married couples living together, 36.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 15.50% are non-families. 13.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 4.36 and the average family size is 4.72.

In the county, the population is spread out with 45.30% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 13.80% from 45 to 64, and 4.80% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 21 years. For every 100 females there are 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.60 males.

Notes

Cities, towns, and villages