McCook County is a county in South Dakota, United States, on the rolling prairie between Sioux Falls and the James River valley. It had a population of 5,682 at the 2020 census and covers 577 square miles (1,494 km2) centred near 43°41′N 97°21′W.
Salem is the county seat, and its postal code is 57058. The county has five incorporated cities, no organized townships, and a handful of unincorporated places and rural colonies. McCook County lies in the Central time zone and carries FIPS code 45087. It is part of the Sioux Falls, SD metropolitan statistical area.
Towns & Villages in McCook County
McCook County has five incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities, including two Hutterite colonies. All five cities sit within about 12 miles of one another along US Route 81 or SD Highway 42. CDP = census-designated place; Unincorp. = unincorporated community with no municipal government.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | City · seat | 1,325 | 57058 |
| Canistota | City | 631 | 57012 |
| Bridgewater | City | 511 | 57319 |
| Montrose | City | 468 | 57048 |
| Spencer | City | 136 | 57374 |
| Unityville | Unincorp. | — | 57058 |
| Stanley Corner | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Rumpus Ridge | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Golden View Colony | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Orland Colony | Unincorp. | — | — |
The old list repeated “Orland Colony” twice; that duplicate is merged here into one row.
ZIP Codes
- 57058 — Salem (also serves Unityville)
- 57012 — Canistota
- 57319 — Bridgewater
- 57048 — Montrose
- 57374 — Spencer
Rumpus Ridge, Stanley Corner and the county’s two Hutterite colonies have no ZIP of their own; mail there is routed through the nearest listed town.
Geography
McCook County sits on gently rolling glacial till prairie, sloping to the south and southwest, with its highest point around 1,798 feet (548 m) near the northeast corner. Farmland covers most of the county; the Vermillion River’s headwaters and several smaller creeks drain the southern townships. McCook County borders Lake County to the northeast, Minnehaha County to the east, Turner County to the southeast, Hutchinson County to the southwest, Hanson County to the west, and Miner County to the northwest.
Demographics
McCook County had 5,682 residents at the 2020 census, giving a density of about 9.9 people per square mile. Salem and Canistota are the two largest communities. Median household income runs below the South Dakota median of $71,810, typical for a farm-economy county of this size. The population is overwhelmingly of German and Scandinavian descent, reflecting the county’s 1870s settlement pattern.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives the local economy — corn, soybeans, and cattle on the surrounding prairie — supplemented by grain handling and farm-service businesses in Salem, Canistota, and Bridgewater. McCook County Equity Exchange and several ag co-ops operate elevators along the rail line through the county. Salem hosts the county fair each summer, a longstanding community event drawing entrants from across the county.
History
McCook County was created on January 8, 1873, and organized on June 15, 1878. It is named for Edwin Stanton McCook, a Dakota Territory governor and Union Army general during the Civil War. Early settlement followed the extension of rail lines through the county in the 1880s, which established Salem, Canistota, Bridgewater, and Montrose as shipping points for the surrounding farms; Spencer developed slightly later along a branch line.
Getting There
US Route 81 runs north-south through the county, connecting Salem, Bridgewater, and Montrose; SD Highway 42 links Salem east toward Sioux Falls.
- Sioux Falls — 30 miles east
- Mitchell — 30 miles west
- Madison — 20 miles northeast
- Parker — 20 miles southeast
Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls is the nearest commercial airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is McCook County, South Dakota?
It is in southeastern South Dakota, part of the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, between Sioux Falls and Mitchell.
What is the population of McCook County?
5,682 at the 2020 census.
How big is McCook County?
577 square miles (1,494 km2), including 3 square miles of water.
What is the McCook County seat?
Salem is the county seat.
How many towns are in McCook County?
Five incorporated cities — Salem, Canistota, Bridgewater, Montrose, and Spencer — plus several unincorporated places and two Hutterite colonies.
What ZIP codes are in McCook County?
57058 (Salem), 57012 (Canistota), 57319 (Bridgewater), 57048 (Montrose), and 57374 (Spencer).
Why is McCook County named that?
For Edwin Stanton McCook, a Dakota Territory governor and Civil War general.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in South Dakota.