McPherson County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 United States Census, the county had a population of 2,835, making it one of the least-populated counties in the state. The county seat and largest community is the city of Leola.
History
- Established: The county was created by the Dakota Territory legislature on January 15, 1873, and organized on May 4, 1883.
- Naming: It is named after James B. McPherson, a Union Army general during the American Civil War.
Geography
- Total area: 577 square miles (1,495 km²), of which 574 square miles (1,486 km²) is land and 3 square miles (8 km²) (0.5 %) is water.
- Location: Situated in north‑central South Dakota, the county lies within the James River watershed. The terrain consists primarily of rolling prairie and agricultural land.
- Major highways: U.S. Highway 281, South Dakota Highway 10, and South Dakota Highway 45 traverse the county.
- Adjacent counties:
- North: Edmunds County
- Northeast: Brown County
- East: Spink County
- Southeast: Brown County (note: overlapping names due to county borders)
- South: Grant County
- West: Walworth County
Demographics (2020 Census)
- Population: 2,835
- Population density: Approximately 5 people per square mile (2 people per km²).
- Racial composition: Predominantly White, with small percentages of Native American, Asian, Black or African American, and individuals of two or more races.
- Household information: Majority of households are family households; average household size is around 2.5 persons.
Economy
The county’s economy is largely based on agriculture, including the cultivation of corn, soybeans, wheat, and sorghum, as well as livestock production (cattle and hogs). Service and retail sectors are centered in Leola and other small towns.
Communities
- Cities: Leola (county seat)
- Towns: Avon, Bridgewater, Forestburg, New England, Tolstoy
- Unincorporated communities: Includes several smaller settlements and rural homesteads.
Government
McPherson County is administered by a board of commissioners elected from districts within the county. The county government provides typical services such as law enforcement (via the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office), road maintenance, and public health.
Education
The county is served by several public school districts, the largest being the Leola School District, which offers elementary through high school education.
Additional Notes
- Climate: The county experiences a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers.
- Land Use: Over 90 % of the county’s land area is devoted to agriculture or related activities.
All information presented is sourced from publicly available governmental and census records.
