Hanson County, South Dakota

Hanson County
Saint Peter's Grotto is on the National Register of Historic Places
Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota
South Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°40′50.203″N 97°47′48.642″W / 43.68061194°N 97.79684500°W / 43.68061194; -97.79684500
Country United States
State South Dakota
FoundedJanuary 13, 1871 (created)
1873 (organized)
Named afterJoseph R. Hanson
SeatAlexandria
Largest cityAlexandria
Area
  Total
435.355 sq mi (1,127.56 km2)
  Land434.582 sq mi (1,125.56 km2)
  Water0.773 sq mi (2.00 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
3,461
  Estimate 
(2024)
3,477
  Density7.988/sq mi (3.084/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitehansoncountysd.gov

Hanson County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,461. Its county seat is Alexandria. The county was founded in 1871 and organized in 1873. It was named for Joseph R. Hanson, clerk of the first legislature. Hanson County is part of the Mitchell, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county is somewhat unique among those in the United States in that there are no officially registered airports within the county borders.