Hand County is a county in South Dakota, United States, on the rolling prairie of the state’s central plains. It had a population of 3,145 at the 2020 census and covers 1,437 square miles (3,720 km2) of land, centred near 44°33′N 99°00′W.
Miller is the county seat, and its postal code is 57362. The county has one city, two towns, one census-designated place and two unincorporated communities. Hand County observes Central time and lies entirely on the plains of central South Dakota.
Towns & Villages in Hand County
Hand County has six populated places on record: one city (the county seat), two incorporated towns, one census-designated place, and two unincorporated communities. CDP and Unincorp. places have no city government of their own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miller | City · seat | 1,967 | 57362 |
| Ree Heights | Town | 84 | 57371 |
| Saint Lawrence | Town | 146 | 57373 |
| Millerdale Colony | CDP | — | 57362 |
| Polo | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Vayland | Unincorp. | — | — |
Wessington, a small city, extends into the northeastern corner of Hand County but its post office and the bulk of its population sit across the line in Beadle County, so it is not counted as a Hand County place here. Danforth, Ames and Burdette, listed on older gazetteers, were rail-era sidings that never incorporated and have no residents or verifiable ZIP today.
ZIP Codes
- 57362 — Miller (also serves Millerdale Colony)
- 57371 — Ree Heights
- 57373 — Saint Lawrence
- 57467 — Orient (a small slice of this Faulk County ZIP reaches into northern Hand County)
Polo and Vayland have no post office of their own; residents there use the Miller ZIP.
Geography
Hand County sits on the James River drainage plain of central South Dakota. Its terrain is rolling prairie broken by shallow ponds and small glacial lakes, and the land slopes generally east and northeast toward the James River valley, with the county’s highest ground, about 2,080 feet (630 m) above sea level, on the lower part of the west boundary line. Agriculture, mainly wheat, corn, soybeans and cattle grazing, covers most of the county.
Hand County borders Faulk County to the north, Spink County to the northeast, Beadle County to the east, Jerauld County to the southeast, Buffalo County to the southwest, and Hyde County to the west.
Demographics
Hand County had 3,145 residents at the 2020 census, a population density of about 2.2 people per square mile. Miller, the county seat, is by far the largest community, home to roughly two-thirds of the county’s population; Saint Lawrence is the second-largest place. The county’s median household income runs well below the South Dakota median of $71,810, reflecting its small, agriculture-dependent tax base.
Economy & Local Life
Farming and ranching drive Hand County’s economy: grain elevators, farm-implement dealers and livestock operations cluster around Miller. Miller also serves as the county’s retail and government hub, home to the Hand County Courthouse and the county’s only hospital-affiliated clinic. The county fairgrounds in Miller host the annual Hand County Fair each summer, a fixture of the local calendar.
History
The Dakota Territorial legislature created Hand County in 1873, naming it for George A. Hand, territorial secretary. Its boundaries were finalized and the county government organized in 1882, as homestead-era settlers moved onto the central Dakota prairie ahead of the railroad. Miller was platted as the county seat during that same settlement wave and has held the title ever since.
Getting There
U.S. Route 14 crosses Hand County east–west through Miller, connecting the county to Huron and the rest of central South Dakota.
- Huron — 30 miles east
- Pierre — 65 miles west
- Aberdeen — 75 miles north
- Mitchell — 90 miles southeast
The nearest commercial airport is Huron Regional Airport; Pierre Regional Airport is a similar distance to the west.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hand County, South Dakota?
It sits on the central prairie of South Dakota, about 65 miles east of Pierre and 30 miles west of Huron.
What is the population of Hand County?
Hand County had a population of 3,145 at the 2020 census.
How big is Hand County?
The county covers 1,437 square miles (3,720 km2) of land.
What is the county seat of Hand County?
Miller is the county seat.
How many towns are in Hand County?
Hand County has one city (Miller), two incorporated towns (Ree Heights and Saint Lawrence), one census-designated place, and two unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Hand County?
57362 (Miller), 57371 (Ree Heights) and 57373 (Saint Lawrence) are the county’s main ZIP codes.
What is Hand County named after?
The county is named for George A. Hand, a Dakota Territory secretary.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in South Dakota.