Clay County, South Dakota
Encyclopedia
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state
of South Dakota
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,864. Its name is in honor of Henry Clay
, American statesman, member of the United States Senate
from Kentucky
and United States Secretary of State
in the 19th century.
The county seat
is Vermillion
, which is also home to the University of South Dakota
. Clay County is the only county in the Vermillion Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
Clay County is the name of 17 other counties in the United States; most of them named in honor of Henry Clay.
, the county has a total area of 417 square miles (1,080 km²), the smallest county in South Dakota, of which 412 square miles (1,067.1 km²) is land and 5 square miles (12.9 km²) (1.22%) is water.
: Bethel, Fairview, Garfield, Glenwood, Meckling, Norway, Pleasant Valley, Prairie Center, Riverside, Spirit Mound, Star, Vermillion.
of 2000, there were 13,537 people, 4,878 households, and 2,721 families residing in the county. The population density
was 33 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 5,438 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²).
There were 4,878 households out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.00% were married couples
living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.20% were non-families. 31.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county, the population was spread out with 18.80% under the age of 18, 31.50% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 15.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.
, 1.00% Black
or African American
, 2.66% Native American
, 1.95% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.29% from other races
, and 1.31% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 32.0% were of German, 15.6% Norwegian, 9.9% Irish
and 5.4% English
ancestry.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,864. Its name is in honor of Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
, American statesman, member of the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and United States Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
in the 19th century.
The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Vermillion
Vermillion, South Dakota
Vermillion is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the tenth largest city in the state. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 10,571. Vermillion lies atop a bluff near the Missouri River.The area has been home to...
, which is also home to the University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...
. Clay County is the only county in the Vermillion Micropolitan Statistical Area
United States micropolitan area
United States Micropolitan Statistical Areas , as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, are urban areas in the United States based around a core city or town with a population of 10,000 to 49,999. The micropolitan area designation was created in 2003...
.
History
Clay County began forming in 1859 when the land was opened for legal occupation. In 1862 the county was formally organized. The Clay County Courthouse was built in 1912.Clay County is the name of 17 other counties in the United States; most of them named in honor of Henry Clay.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 417 square miles (1,080 km²), the smallest county in South Dakota, of which 412 square miles (1,067.1 km²) is land and 5 square miles (12.9 km²) (1.22%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Turner County, South DakotaTurner County, South DakotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 8,849 people, 3,510 households, and 2,478 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile . There were 3,852 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile...
- north - Lincoln County, South DakotaLincoln County, South DakotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 24,131 people, 8,782 households, and 6,665 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile . There were 9,131 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile...
- northeast - Union County, South DakotaUnion County, South DakotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 12,584 people, 4,927 households, and 3,517 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile . There were 5,345 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
- east - Dixon County, NebraskaDixon County, Nebraska-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,339 people, 2,413 households, and 1,705 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile . There were 2,673 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile...
- southeast - Cedar County, NebraskaCedar County, Nebraska-History:Cedar County was formed in 1855. It was named for the great number of cedars that grow there.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,615 people, 3,623 households, and 2,565 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile . There were...
- southwest - Yankton County, South DakotaYankton County, South DakotaYankton County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 22,438. It's county seat is Yankton.Yankton County is the only county in the Yankton Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- west
Cities and towns
- BurbankBurbank, South DakotaBurbank is an unincorporated community in Clay County, South Dakota, United States. Although not recognized by the United States Census Bureau, Burbank has been assigned the ZIP Code 57010....
- Dalesburg
- Greenfield
- IreneIrene, South DakotaIrene is a city in Clay, Turner, and Yankton counties in the U.S. state of South Dakota. The population was 420 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Irene is located at ....
- MecklingMeckling, South DakotaMeckling is an unincorporated community in Clay County, South Dakota. Although not tracked by the Census Bureau, Meckling has been assigned the ZIP code of 57044....
- VermillionVermillion, South DakotaVermillion is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the tenth largest city in the state. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 10,571. Vermillion lies atop a bluff near the Missouri River.The area has been home to...
- Founded in 1859 and then fully incorporated in 1873. It was named for either the old Fort Vermillion or for the near-by Vermillion River. - WakondaWakonda, South DakotaWakonda is a town in Clay County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 321 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Wakonda is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- WestrevilleWestreville, South DakotaWestreville is an unincorporated community in Clay County, South Dakota, United States.*Latitude: 42.92417*Longitude: -97.02306*Elevation: 1309 ft-External links:*...
Townships
The county is divided into twelve townshipsTownship (United States)
A township in the United States is a small geographic area. Townships range in size from 6 to 54 square miles , with being the norm.The term is used in three ways....
: Bethel, Fairview, Garfield, Glenwood, Meckling, Norway, Pleasant Valley, Prairie Center, Riverside, Spirit Mound, Star, Vermillion.
Major highways
South Dakota Highway 19South Dakota Highway 19South Dakota Highway 19 is a state route located in east central and southeast South Dakota. It begins at the Nebraska border, as a continuation of Nebraska Highway 15. It runs northerly to South Dakota Highway 34 southeast of Madison. It is 100 miles in length.-History:South Dakota 19 was...
South Dakota Highway 46South Dakota Highway 46South Dakota Highway 46 is a state route that runs west to east across southeastern South Dakota. It begins at the junction of U.S. Highway 18 and U.S. Highway 281 in Pickstown, and runs due east to nearly the Iowa border, before curving south to cross the border and meeting Iowa Highway 10...
South Dakota Highway 50South Dakota Highway 50South Dakota Highway 50 is a state route serving south central and southeast South Dakota. The current alignment begins at the junction of South Dakota Highway 34 at "Lee's Corner" east of Fort Thompson, and ends at the Iowa border near Richland, where it continues as Iowa Highway 3...
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 13,537 people, 4,878 households, and 2,721 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 33 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 5,438 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²).
There were 4,878 households out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.20% were non-families. 31.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county, the population was spread out with 18.80% under the age of 18, 31.50% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 15.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.
Racial/ethnic makeup
The racial makeup of the county was 92.78% WhiteRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.00% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.66% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.95% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.29% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.31% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 32.0% were of German, 15.6% Norwegian, 9.9% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 5.4% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
ancestry.
Religious makeup
From 2000 Census data over 50% consider themselves "unclaimed".- Mainline Protestant with 3,840 is most common around 28%; mainly Lutheran.
- CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
with 1820 comes second around 13% - Evangelical Protestant with 613 would be around 5%; mainly Missouri SynodLutheran Church - Missouri SynodThe Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is a traditional, confessional Lutheran denomination in the United States. With 2.3 million members, it is both the eighth largest Protestant denomination and the second-largest Lutheran body in the U.S. after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Synod...
and Southern Baptist.
Education
- University of South DakotaUniversity of South DakotaThe University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...
- In 1862 the territorial legislature located the State University in Vermillion, but nothing was done until 1882 when Clay County voted $10,000 in bonds to construct a building on their campus.