As of the census

Census

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 8,849 people, 3,510 households, and 2,478 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 14 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 3,852 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.86% White

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...

, 0.15% 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...

, 0.27% 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...

, 0.17% 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...

, 0.12% 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 0.43% from two or more races. 0.41% 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.

There were 3,510 households out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% 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, 5.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,059, and the median income for a family was $42,704. Males had a median income of $28,833 versus $20,075 for females. The per capita income

Per capita income

Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...

 for the county was $17,343. About 5.70% of families and 7.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.30% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of those age 65 or over.

Historic interest

Turner County held the first county fair in South Dakota October 13-16, 1880. There are few records from that first fair but The New Era records show that the Turner County Agriculture Society was organized in March, 1880. The society was formed with the express purpose of showing the success and agricultural achievements of the newly settled country. The first fair was held on the Devereaux property which north on the corner north of the road which leads to Rosehill Cemetery at Parker There a race track and ball diamond were constructed as well as a bridge which connected the end of Second Street across the river to the fair grounds.

Cities and towns

• Centerville
  Centerville, South Dakota
  Centerville is a city in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 882 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Centerville is located at ....
  
  
• Chancellor
  Chancellor, South Dakota
  Chancellor is a town in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 264 at the 2010 census.The community was named in honor of Otto von Bismarck, a 19th century German chancellor.-Geography:Chancellor is located at ....
  
  
• Davis
  Davis, South Dakota
  Davis is a town in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 85 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Davis is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
  
  
• Dolton
  Dolton, South Dakota
  Dolton is a town in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 37 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Dolton is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
  
  
• Hooker
• Hurley
  Hurley, South Dakota
  Hurley is a city in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 415 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hurley is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
  
  
• Irene
  Irene, South Dakota
  Irene 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 ....
  
  
• Marion
  Marion, South Dakota
  Marion is a city in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 784 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Marion is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
  
  
• Monroe
  Monroe, South Dakota
  Monroe is a town in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 160 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Monroe is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
  
  
• Naomi
• Parker
  Parker, South Dakota
  Parker is a city in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 1,022 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Turner County.-Geography:Parker is located at ....
  
  
• Viborg
  Viborg, South Dakota
  Viborg is a city in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 782 at the 2010 census.Founded by Danish-Americans, the city is most likely named after the Danish city of Viborg...