Mellette County is a county in South Dakota, United States, on the plains south of the Missouri River in the south-central part of the state. It had a population of 1,918 at the 2020 census and covers 1,311 square miles (3,400 km2), centred near 43°35′N 100°45′W.
White River is the county seat, and its postal code is 57579. The county has one city, one incorporated town, three census-designated places and one unincorporated community. Mellette County runs on Central time, unlike its western neighbors Bennett and Jackson counties, which are on Mountain time.
Towns & Villages in Mellette County
Mellette County has six named settlements. White River is the only city and the county seat; Wood is the county’s lone incorporated town. Norris, Corn Creek and Horse Creek are unincorporated census-designated places, and Cedar Butte and Mosher are small unincorporated communities without their own census counts.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| White River | City · seat | 533 | 57579 |
| Wood | Town | 41 | 57585 |
| Norris | CDP | — | 57560 |
| Corn Creek | CDP | — | 57579 |
| Horse Creek | CDP | — | 57579 |
| Cedar Butte | Unincorp. | — | 57579 |
| Mosher | Unincorp. | — | 57579 |
ZIP Codes
- 57579 — White River (also serves Corn Creek, Horse Creek, Cedar Butte and Mosher)
- 57560 — Norris
- 57585 — Wood
Most of rural Mellette County outside the Norris and Wood post office areas is served by the White River post office.
Geography
Mellette County sits on semi-arid rolling plains that slope northeast, with the county’s high point at 2,779 feet (847 meters) above sea level in the southwest corner. The White River forms most of the county’s northern boundary before continuing east, and the Little White River crosses the central part of the county before it empties into the White River. Roughly a third of the county’s land is trust land tied to the Rosebud Indian Reservation, and most of the rest is used for cattle ranching and dryland farming.
Mellette County borders Jones County to the north, Lyman County to the northeast, Tripp County to the east, Todd County to the south, Bennett County to the southwest, and Jackson County to the west.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 1,918 residents, a density of about 1.5 people per square mile. White River, the county seat, is the largest community with 533 residents, followed by Wood with 41. American Indian residents make up close to 58% of the county’s population, reflecting the trust-land share of the Rosebud Indian Reservation within its borders. Median household income in Mellette County runs well below the South Dakota median of $71,810, consistent with the county’s small population base and heavy reliance on agriculture.
Economy & Local Life
Cattle ranching and dryland wheat and hay farming drive the county economy, alongside the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s presence and tribal and county government employment centered in White River. The Mellette County School District, based in White River, is one of the area’s largest employers. Ranch and farm supply businesses, a handful of grain elevators, and small-town retail round out local commerce.
History
Mellette County was created in 1909 and organized in 1911, one of several South Dakota counties carved out west of the Missouri River as homestead settlement pushed into the area in the early 1900s. It is named for Arthur C. Mellette, the last governor of Dakota Territory and the first governor of South Dakota after statehood in 1889. Much of the county lies within land historically part of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, and Lakota Sioux communities have lived in the area since long before county organization.
Getting There
U.S. Route 83 runs north–south through White River, connecting the county to Interstate 90 at Kennebec to the north. State Highway 44 crosses the county east–west.
- Winner, South Dakota — 27 miles east
- Murdo, South Dakota — 30 miles north
- Kadoka, South Dakota — 40 miles northwest
- Rapid City, South Dakota — 130 miles west
The nearest commercial airport is Rapid City Regional Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mellette County, South Dakota?
It is in south-central South Dakota, south of the Missouri River, bordered by Jones, Lyman, Tripp, Todd, Bennett and Jackson counties.
What is the population of Mellette County?
Mellette County had 1,918 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Mellette County?
The county covers 1,311 square miles (3,400 km2), including 3.6 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Mellette County?
White River is the county seat.
How many towns are in Mellette County?
The county has one city (White River), one town (Wood), and several smaller unincorporated places, including Norris, Corn Creek, Horse Creek, Cedar Butte and Mosher.
What ZIP codes are in Mellette County?
57579 (White River), 57560 (Norris) and 57585 (Wood).
What tribal reservation overlaps Mellette County?
About a third of the county’s land is trust land tied to the Rosebud Indian Reservation, and American Indian residents make up close to 58% of the county’s population.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in South Dakota.