Shannon County is a county located in the state of South Dakota. As of 2000, the population is 12,466.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,430 km² (2,097 mi²). 5,423 km² (2,094 mi²) of it is land and 7 km² (3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.13% water.

Townships

The county is divided into two areas of unorganized territory: East Shannon and West Shannon.

Adjacent Counties

• Pennington County, South Dakota - north
• Jackson County, South Dakota - northeast
• Bennett County, South Dakota - east
• Sheridan County, Nebraska - south
• Dawes County, Nebraska - southwest
• Fall River County, South Dakota - west
• Custer County, South Dakota - northwest

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 12,466 people, 2,785 households, and 2,353 families residing in the county. The population density is 2/km² (6/mi²). There are 3,123 housing units at an average density of 1/km² (2/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 4.51% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 94.20% Native American, 0.02% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. Shannon County has the highest percentage of Native American population and the lowest percentage White population of any county in the United States.

There are 2,785 households out of which 51.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.40% are married couples living together, 36.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 15.50% are non-families. 13.20% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 4.36 and the average family size is 4.72.

In the county, the population is spread out with 45.30% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 13.80% from 45 to 64, and 4.80% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 21 years. For every 100 females there are 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.60 males.

Cities and towns

• Batesland
• Kyle
• Manderson-White Horse Creek
• Oglala
• Pine Ridge
• Porcupine
• Wounded Knee