Aurora County, South Dakota is located in the eastern part of the state and borders Minnesota to the north. The county is home to a total area of 1,220 square miles and is mostly rural with only two incorporated cities—Plankinton and White Lake. Aurora County is divided into three distinct geographic regions: the Coteau des Prairies, the James River Valley, and the North Dakota Border Region.
The Coteau des Prairies region occupies most of Aurora County’s western half and consists primarily of rolling hills and prairie grasslands. This region also features several small lakes including White Lake which has become popular for recreational activities such as fishing and boating.
The James River Valley region covers most of Aurora County’s eastern half and consists of a wide variety of terrain including grasslands, wooded hills, ravines, wetlands, and thick forests. This area has a rich history with many historical sites such as Fort Sisseton State Park which was once an important military outpost during the Sioux Wars.
The North Dakota Border Region occupies Aurora County’s northern portion along the Minnesota border. This region features a mix of flat farmlands interspersed with small towns along its major highways. This area is known for its wildlife with large populations of deer and other game animals as well as numerous bird species that make their home in this area year-round.
Overall, Aurora County offers a unique combination of geography that makes it an attractive destination for visitors looking to explore its diverse range of landscapes from prairies to wooded hillsides to wetlands teeming with wildlife.
Country seat and other main cities in Aurora County, South Dakota
The county seat of Aurora County, South Dakota is the city of Plankinton, located in the north-central part of the county. Plankinton is a small town with a population of just over 800 people and is home to several businesses, restaurants, and other amenities. The town is also home to the Aurora County Courthouse which serves as the administrative center for Aurora County.
According to countryaah, White Lake is another small city located in Aurora County, situated on the shore of White Lake in the western part of the county. White Lake has a population of just over 400 people and features several local businesses including a grocery store and several restaurants. The city also offers plenty of recreational opportunities including fishing, boating, swimming, and camping at nearby parks.
Aurora County also features numerous unincorporated communities throughout its 1,220 square mile area. These include towns like Stickney which was founded in 1883 as a stop on the railroad line that ran through this area at that time. Other towns like Letcher offer visitors plenty to do with its historical sites such as Old West Town Hall which houses artifacts from early settlers who lived here during its heyday in the late 1800s.
Overall, Aurora County offers visitors an interesting mix of cities and towns to explore from its two incorporated cities—Plankinton and White Lake—to its numerous unincorporated communities scattered throughout its diverse range of geography from rolling hills to wooded ravines to farmlands along its northern border with Minnesota.
Note:
According to abbreviationfinder, the 2-letter abbreviation for South Dakota is SD. This abbreviation is commonly used when referring to the state in postal addresses, mailing labels, and other forms of communication. It is also often used on driver’s licenses and other official documents. South Dakota is sometimes abbreviated as Dak., though this is less common than the two-letter abbreviation.
History of Aurora County, South Dakota
Aurora County, South Dakota was established on March 2, 1883 and named after the Roman goddess of the dawn. The county was formed from land taken from the neighboring counties of Davison and Hanson and is located in the north-central part of the state.
The first settlers began arriving in Aurora County in the late 1870s, and by 1880 the population had grown to over 1,100 people. Farming quickly became the primary industry in the county as settlers cleared land for crops and built homes. The railroad also arrived during this time which helped spur further settlement as it provided an easy way for people to move into Aurora County.
The town of Plankinton was established in 1883 as a stop on this railway line and later became Aurora County’s county seat when it was formed just a few years later. Other towns soon followed suit with Letcher being founded in 1887 and Stickney established in 1888.
Over time, Aurora County continued to grow with more businesses opening up and more people moving into the area. By 1910, the population had grown to over 3,000 people and continued to increase steadily until reaching its peak of 4,312 residents by 1950.
Today, while Aurora County’s population has decreased slightly since then, it still remains a vibrant community with an economy centered around farming and ranching along with some light manufacturing industries located within its borders. It also offers plenty of recreational activities such as fishing on White Lake or hunting on one of its many wildlife areas scattered throughout its 1,220 square mile area.
Economy of Aurora County, South Dakota
Aurora County, South Dakota is located in the north-central part of the state and has an economy that is primarily focused on farming and ranching. Agriculture has been a major contributor to the local economy for many years, with most of the population engaged in some form of farming or ranching. The area is known for its production of corn, wheat, soybeans, hogs and cattle as well as hay and other feed crops.
In addition to agriculture, Aurora County also has several light manufacturing industries that employ a significant portion of its workforce. These include food processing plants, machine shops, printing companies and wood product manufacturers.
The county also benefits from its proximity to Minneapolis-St. Paul and Sioux Falls which provide access to larger markets for goods produced in Aurora County. In addition, tourism plays a role in the local economy with visitors coming to enjoy White Lake or take part in one of the many hunting seasons throughout the year.
Aurora County’s economy is supported by several government programs such as tax incentives for businesses located within its borders and grants for economic development projects that promote job growth in areas such as renewable energy production or small business development. In addition, there are numerous educational opportunities available through area schools and colleges that help prepare residents for successful careers after graduation.
Overall, Aurora County has a diverse economy that provides employment opportunities across multiple industries while also offering plenty of recreational activities for visitors and residents alike to enjoy throughout the year.
