Aurora County, South Dakota

Aurora County, named for Aurora, the Roman goddess of the dawn, was created by the Dakota Territory on October 1, 1879.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6uXwAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA2 |title=Soil Survey of Aurora County, South Dakota |publisher=US Dept. of Agriculture |year=1980 |page=2}} It was organized on August 29, 1881, when three county commissioners were appointed. The county had been established from the combination of former counties Cragin and Wetmore, which had both been formed in 1873. The three county commissioners met on August 29, 1881, and named Plankinton the county seat, an act which was ratified by voters in November 1882. The northern portion of Aurora County was partitioned off on April 17, 1883, and established as Jerauld County.{{Cite web |last=Long |first=John H. |year=2006 |title=Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies |url=http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/North_Dakota/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111113432/http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/North_Dakota/documents/DAKs_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm |archive-date=November 11, 2007 |access-date=January 30, 2019 |website=Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries |publisher=The Newberry Library}}

The terrain of Aurora County consists of low rolling hills, partially devoted to agriculture. It is dotted with small lakes and ponds.[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Aurora+County,+SD/@43.7394167,-98.769575,68913m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016 Aurora County SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)] The highest point is the upper west boundary line, and the terrain slopes east-northeastward; the lowest point is the county's northeast corner at {{convert|1,325|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.{{Cite web |title="Find an Altitude" Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019) |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=January 30, 2019}}

The county has a total area of {{convert|713|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|708|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.3|sqmi}} (0.6%) is water.{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_46.txt |access-date=March 22, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

• 20px Interstate 90
• 20px U.S. Highway 281
• 20px South Dakota Highway 42

{{div col|colwidth=33em}}

• Jerauld County - north
• Sanborn County - northeast
• Davison County - east
• Douglas County - south
• Charles Mix County - southwest
• Brule County - west

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=33em}}

• Crystal Lake Public Shooting Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crystal+Lake+State+Public+Shooting+Area,+Stickney,+SD+57375/@43.6973884,-98.6501815,12z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x878688c9c8bb84eb:0xd3507dd04bddb650!8m2!3d43.6437774!4d-98.5693359 Crystal Lake Public Shooting Area, Stickney SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Hanson Lake State Public Shooting Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hanson+Lake+State+Public+Shooting+Area,+Corsica,+SD+57328/@43.5021355,-98.5861381,14z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x87868178f41daf81:0x9107b19d477a579b!8m2!3d43.5099816!4d-98.5645455 Hanson Lake State Public Shooting Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Kimball State Public Shooting Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kimball+State+Public+Shooting+Area,+Kimball,+SD+57355/@43.7410729,-98.9461862,14z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x8786b8ab9edb4685:0xee5acd401a01f2bc!8m2!3d43.7410729!4d-98.9286768 Kimball State Public Shooting Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Koch Waterfowl Production Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Koch+Waterfowl+Production+Area,+Co+Rd+40,+White+Lake,+SD+57383/@43.6869312,-98.6462135,14.25z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x87868e655a57df09:0xaad7d55b2b1c176a!8m2!3d43.6835928!4d-98.6256891 Koch Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Kramer Slaugh Public Shooting Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kramer+Slaugh+State+Public+Shooting+Area,+White+Lake,+SD+57383/@43.6869312,-98.6462135,14.25z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x878691e66948c701:0xaf3d66a057d33c97!8m2!3d43.6754883!4d-98.6696827 Kramer Slaugh Public Shooting Area, White Lake SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Krell Waterfowl Production Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Krell+Waterfowl+Production+Area,+257th+St,+White+Lake,+SD+57383/@43.6753689,-98.6463414,14z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x87868e2e2d6cf4a3:0x7860eaf9ec9c0769!8m2!3d43.6613755!4d-98.6518085 Krell Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Lutz Waterfowl Production Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lutz+Waterfowl+Production+Area/@43.7240992,-98.6468914,13.5z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x87868d09ae971833:0x8705510b5e6bcf1d!8m2!3d43.7344219!4d-98.6298037 Lutz Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Maine Waterfowl Production Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Maine+Waterfowl+Production+Area,+Co+Rd+23,+Plankinton,+SD+57368/@43.6973884,-98.6501815,12z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x87868eb08a15c7e1:0x66d99cd150f513a!8m2!3d43.6854394!4d-98.5858154 Maine Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• National Waterfowl Production Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/National+Waterfowl+Production+Area,+White+Lake,+SD+57383/@43.7839267,-98.7427517,12.75z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x8786ec9414f892e7:0x7912d8bf64dcded5!8m2!3d43.7839221!4d-98.7288094 National Waterfowl Production Area, White Lake, SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Pleasant Lake State Public Shooting Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pleasant+Lake+State+Public+Shooting+Area,+Plankinton,+SD+57368/@43.6005064,-98.5675012,13.25z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x8786864ec9510ee5:0x803d3438ed44e9ed!8m2!3d43.6011853!4d-98.5336733 Pleasant Lake State Public Shooting Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Schute Waterfowl Production Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Schute+Waterfowl+Production+Area,+377th+Ave,+White+Lake,+SD+57383/@43.6869312,-98.6462135,14.25z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x87868df61fa1dd99:0xb2e61fb18bce34f6!8m2!3d43.704879!4d-98.6586857 Schulte Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Sorenson Waterfowl Production Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sorenson+Waterfowl+Production+Area,+257th+St,+Plankinton,+SD+57368/@43.6539793,-98.563425,13.25z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x878688e92823886d:0xcbfb423dde4ef9f2!8m2!3d43.6502055!4d-98.5473633 Sorenson Waterfowl Production Area Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]
• Wilmarth Lake Game Production Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wilmarth+Lake+Game+Production+Area,+Wessington+Springs,+SD+57382/@43.8364964,-98.6145281,13z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x87868bfb656b6f6d:0x5b27c079359cd7b7!2sAurora+County,+SD!3b1!8m2!3d43.6983477!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x8786f152001d7337:0x39873743744e6992!8m2!3d43.8583896!4d-98.5762024 Wilmarth Lake Game Production Area, Wessington Springs, SD Google Maps (accessed January 30, 2019)]

{{col div end}}

{{US Census population

|1880= 69

|1890= 5045

|1900= 4011

|1910= 6143

|1920= 7246

|1930= 7139

|1940= 5387

|1950= 5020

|1960= 4749

|1970= 4183

|1980= 3628

|1990= 3136

|2000= 3058

|2010= 2710

|2020= 2747

|estyear=2024

|estimate=2752

|estref={{cite web|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 15, 2025}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014}}
1790–1960{{cite web|title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |publisher=University of Virginia Library |url-status=live |date=2007 |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212224028/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |archive-date=December 12, 2009}} 1900–1990{{cite web|last=Forstall |first=Richard L. |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sd190090.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url-status=live |date=March 27, 1995 |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990219135447/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sd190090.txt |archive-date=February 19, 1999}}
1990–2000{{cite web|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010}} 2010–2020

}}

As of the 2020 census, there were 2,747 people, 1,096 households, and 746 families residing in the county.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Beadle%20County,%20South%20Dakota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The population density was {{convert|3.9|PD/sqmi}}. There were 1,260 housing units.

As of the 2010 census, there were 2,710 people, 1,102 households, and 736 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|3.8|PD/sqmi}}. There were 1,324 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1.9|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the county was 95.1% white, 1.5% American Indian, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 1.8% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 54.3% were German, 13.7% were Dutch, 11.8% were Norwegian, 8.7% were Irish, 7.2% were English, and 4.9% were American.

Of the 1,102 households, 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.2% were non-families, and 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 43.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,230 and the median income for a family was $55,588. Males had a median income of $30,185 versus $27,206 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,291. About 4.5% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

• Plankinton (county seat)
• White Lake

• Stickney

• Aurora Center
• Storla

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}

• Aurora Township
• Belford Township
• Bristol Township
• Center Township
• Cooper Township
• Crystal Lake Township
• Dudley Township
• Eureka Township
• Firesteel Township
• Gales Township
• Hopper Township
• Lake Township
• Palatine Township
• Patten Township
• Plankinton Township
• Pleasant Lake Township
• Pleasant Valley Township
• Truro Township
• Washington Township
• White Lake Township

{{div col end}}

Aurora County at one time favored the Democratic Party and was one of just 130 counties nationwide to be won by South Dakota favorite son George McGovern, who grew up in adjacent Davison County. However, with the “Reagan Revolution” of the 1980s it has gradually turned into a strongly Republican county. The last Democrat to win a majority in Aurora County was Michael Dukakis in the 1988 election.

{{PresHead|place=Aurora County, South Dakota|whig=no|source1={{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 13, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|1,056|302|35|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|1,052|317|36|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|974|340|93|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|804|556|40|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|794|655|46|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,009|620|20|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|847|513|53|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|709|664|214|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|594|680|438|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|856|987|11|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,029|840|14|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,251|709|163|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|831|1,269|9|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|1,075|1,257|7|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|1,043|1,060|130|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|871|1,555|0|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,267|1,270|0|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,055|1,374|0|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,458|997|0|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,056|1,275|16|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,163|1,011|0|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1940|Republican|1,408|1,385|0|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,082|1,801|80|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|860|2,304|55|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,552|1,426|23|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|967|665|1,031|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,004|445|592|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|735|793|68|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|0|801|763|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|686|694|52|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|652|407|50|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|503|486|22|South Dakota}}

{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|387|479|12|South Dakota}}

{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|461|207|314|South Dakota}}

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

{{coord|43.72|-98.57|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-SD_source:UScensus1990}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Aurora County, South Dakota

|North = Jerauld County

|Northeast = Sanborn County

|East = Davison County

|South = Douglas County

|Southwest = Charles Mix County

|West = Brule County

}}

{{Aurora County, South Dakota}}

{{South Dakota}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1881 establishments in Dakota Territory

Category:Populated places established in 1881