Hanson County

Hanson County sits in southeastern South Dakota, covering 435 square miles of gently rolling terrain and farmland along the James River. The landscape is dotted with scattered farms arranged across flat to slightly hilly terrain throughout the region.

The county was established in 1873 and named after Joseph R. Hanson, the clerk of the first legislature. This naming reflects the region's administrative organization during South Dakota's settlement period.

The area is defined by farming traditions, with family farms shaping the everyday landscape and driving the local economy.

Main administrative services are handled at the Courthouse in Alexandria on weekdays. The area is sparsely populated, so it is helpful to plan ahead to locate shops and services.

With roughly 8 residents per square mile, this is one of the state's least densely populated areas. The low population density means that large stretches of land remain largely undeveloped.

Location: South Dakota

Inception: 1873

Capital city: Alexandria

Elevation above the sea: 412 m

Shares border with: Miner County, McCook County, Hutchinson County, Davison County, Sanborn County

Website: https://hansoncounty.net

GPS coordinates: 43.67482,-97.78734

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:51