Dewey County, South Dakota

Dewey County Education, Geography, and History

Dewey County is a county located in the state of South Dakota. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 5,301. Its county seat is Timber Lake. The county was created in 1883 and organized in 1910. It was named for William P. Dewey, Territorial surveyor-general from 1873 to 1877.

Etymology - Origin of Dewey County Name

Dewey is named for William P. Dewey, the surveyor general of Dakota Territory from 1873 until 1877.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Dewey County History

Dewey County was created in 1883 and organized in 1910. The county was named for William P. Dewey, Territorial surveyor-general from 1873 to 1877. In September 1910 a petition was presented to Governor Vessey asking for the organization of the county along the lines and boundaries of the then unorganized county. A special election was held in November to organize the county and elect officers. Timber Lake was named the county seat.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,446 square miles (6,334 km²), of which, 2,303 square miles (5,964 km²) of it is land and 143 square miles (370 km²) of it (5.85%) is water. Almost the entire county lies in the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. The balance of the county, along its extreme northern county line, lies in the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. It is one of five South Dakota counties that lie entirely on Indian reservations.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• Corson County, South Dakota - north
• Walworth County, South Dakota - northeast
• Potter County, South Dakota - east
• Sully County, South Dakota - southeast
• Stanley County, South Dakota - south
• Ziebach County, South Dakota - west

Education

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