The James River flows south-southeastward through the eastern central part of Beadle County.[5] The terrain of Beadle County consists of low rolling hills, sloping toward the river valley. The county's highest point is its SW corner, at 1,841 ft (561 m) ASL. Its lowest point is on the south boundary line, where James River flows into adjacent Sanborn County, at 1,230 ft (370 m) ASL.[6]
The county has a total area of 1,265 square miles (3,280 km2), of which 1,259 square miles (3,260 km2) is land and 6.1 square miles (16 km2) (0.5%) is water.[7]
U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 19,149 people, 7,369 households, and 4,623 families residing in the county.[13] The population density was 15.2 inhabitants per square mile (5.9/km2). There were 8,396 housing units.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 17,398 people, 7,276 households, and 4,509 families residing in the county. The population density was 13.8 inhabitants per square mile (5.3/km2). There were 8,304 housing units at an average density of 6.6 per square mile (2.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.7% white, 3.6% Asian, 1.1% American Indian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 45.4% were German, 11.7% were Norwegian, 10.3% were Irish, 8.8% were English, and 4.1% were American.
Of the 7,276 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.0% were non-families, and 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.92. The median age was 41.2 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,716 and the median income for a family was $56,288. Males had a median income of $37,020 versus $25,824 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,409. About 6.3% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
Beadle County has become more Republican in recent history. In 2000, George W. Bush won the county, ending a streak of Democratic-majority voting that began in 1992.
United States presidential election results for Beadle County, South Dakota[14]
J.L. Carr (1957) The Old Timers. A social history of the way of life of the home-steading pioneers in the Prairie States during the first few years of settlement, as shown by a typical community, the 'old-timers' of Beadle County in South Dakota. Huron, South Dakota: privately printed.
