Population212,691 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
River Valley Growth and Surrounding Farm Country
Minnehaha County, South DakotaSioux Falls anchors Minnehaha County, while communities including Brandon, Dell Rapids, Hartford, and Garretson extend its local map. The Big Sioux River crosses rolling agricultural terrain, with lakes and ponds in the western area. The county’s name is associated with rapid water or waterfalls in the Sioux language. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 212,691 residents in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, on July 1, 2025.
Minnehaha County at a Glance
Population212,691 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)County SeatSioux FallsEstablished1862 (organized; NACo County Explorer)Total Area, Including Water813.861 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)Major RoutesI-29; I-90; I-229Area Codes605Discover Minnehaha County
Minnehaha County
Minnehaha County was created in 1862 and organized in 1868, with Sioux Falls serving as its county seat. The county’s name comes from a Sioux-language expression associated with rapid water or a waterfall. The Big Sioux River remains a central geographic feature, crossing rolling terrain and connecting the city with surrounding agricultural areas. Other communities developed their own identities within this landscape, so the county’s history and character extend beyond the growth of Sioux Falls alone.
Sioux Falls provides the largest urban center, while Brandon, Dell Rapids, Garretson, and Hartford offer other community reference points. Agricultural ground surrounds the built-up areas, and lakes and ponds appear in the western part of the county. A visit that includes a smaller community gives a broader view of local life than remaining entirely in the city. The Big Sioux River provides a useful geographic thread connecting these different settings.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Sioux Falls anchors Minnehaha County, while communities including Brandon, Dell Rapids, Hartford, and Garretson extend its local map. The Big Sioux River crosses rolling agricultural terrain, with lakes and ponds in the western area.
Community History
Minnehaha County was created in 1862 and organized in 1868, with Sioux Falls serving as its county seat. The county’s name comes from a Sioux-language expression associated with rapid water or a waterfall.
Around the County
A visit that includes a smaller community gives a broader view of local life than remaining entirely in the city.
River connections link city life with surrounding farm communities.
A Closer Look
Minnehaha County
Places and perspectives from Minnehaha County
County Guide
Brown County
Aberdeen anchors Brown County in northeastern South Dakota, while the Dacotah Prairie Museum and Centennial Village provide ways to explore local history. Rural education, agriculture and community institutions…
Read the Story ExploreAround Minnehaha County
Stories from every corner of Minnehaha County.
Brown County
Aberdeen anchors Brown County in northeastern South Dakota, while the Dacotah Prairie Museum and Centennial Village provide ways to explore local history. Rural education, agriculture and community institutions…
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Butte County
Belle Fourche anchors Butte County, where railway arrival and livestock shipping helped change the location of county government. The courthouse's historic documentation preserves the contrast with Minnesela, connecting…
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Custer County
Custer anchors its namesake county in the Black Hills, where French Creek and later railway development provide local reference points. County history also connects the area with forest…
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Fall River County
Hot Springs anchors Fall River County, whose government developed during the Dakota territorial period. The county's earlier Forsythe name adds a useful historical distinction, while its separate administrative…
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Lawrence County
Deadwood anchors Lawrence County on South Dakota's western border, while Lead, Spearfish and Whitewood provide other community identities. The county's name recalls its first treasurer, and its historical…
ExploreCounty Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Baltic Elementary – 02 – Elementary; grades PK-05. 1 Bulldog Ave, Baltic, SD 57003. 605-529-5464.
Brandon Elementary – 03 – Elementary; grades PK-04. 501 Holly Blvd, Brandon, SD 57005. 605-582-6315.
Dell Rapids Elementary – 02 – Elementary; grades KG-04. 309 W 15th St, Dell Rapids, SD 57022. 605-428-5473.
Teachwell Connect – 92 – High; grades 09-12. 715 E 14th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. 605-367-7680.
Garretson Elementary – 02 – Elementary; grades PK-05. 505 2nd St, Garretson, SD 57030. 605-594-3453.
Renberg Elementary – 42 – Elementary; grades KG-05. 47260 258th St, Renner, SD 57055. 605-543-5273.
Tea Area Frontier Elementary – 05 – Elementary; grades KG-05. 2700 S Lancaster Dr, Sioux Falls, SD 57106. 605-498-2700.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Avera Dells Area Hospital – Cah – Critical Access Hospitals. 909 N Iowa Ave, Dell Rapids, SD 57022. 605-428-5431.
Avera Mckennan Hospital & University Health Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 1325 S Cliff Ave Post Office Box 5045, Sioux Falls, SD 57117. 605-322-8000.
Sanford Usd Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 1305 W 18Th St Post Office Box 5039, Sioux Falls, SD 57117. 605-333-1000.
Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 910 East 20Th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105. 605-334-6730.
Lifescape – Childrens. 2501 W 26Th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105. 605-444-9500.
Sioux Falls Va Medical Center – Acute Care – Veterans Administration. 2501 West 22Nd Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57117. 605-336-3230.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Dell Rapids Carnegie Public Library – 513 N Orleans Avenue, Dell Rapids, SD 57022. 605-428-3595.
Siouxland Libraries – 200 North Dakota Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57117. 605-367-8701.
Baltic Branch-Siouxland Libraries – 213 St Olaf Ave., Baltic, SD 57003. 605-367-8019.
Brandon Branch-Siouxland Libraries – 305 S Splitrock Blvd, Brandon, SD 57005. 605-582-2390.
Colton Branch-Siouxland Libraries – 402 S Dakota Avenue, Colton, SD 57018. 605-367-8021.
Crooks Branch-Siouxland Libraries – 900 N West Ave., Crooks, SD 57020. 605-367-6384.
Garretson Branch-Siouxland Libraries – 649 Main Ave., Garretson, SD 57030. 605-367-8039.
DMV
South Dakota — Vehicle titles and registration
South Dakota — Driver license locations and hours
South Dakota — Schedule a driver license renewal appointment
South Dakota — Renew a driver license in person
South Dakota — Revenue online services including vehicle renewals
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Minnehaha County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Minnehaha County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
212,691 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
813.861 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official South Dakota resources: Vehicle titles and registration; Driver license locations and hours; Schedule a driver license renewal appointment. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Minnehaha County was created in 1862 and organized in 1868, with Sioux Falls serving as its county seat. The county’s name comes from a Sioux-language expression associated with rapid water or a waterfall. The Big Sioux River remains a central geographic feature, crossing rolling terrain and connecting the city with surrounding agricultural areas. Other communities developed their own identities within this landscape, so the county’s history and character extend beyond the growth of Sioux Falls alone.
Sioux Falls provides the largest urban center, while Brandon, Dell Rapids, Garretson, and Hartford offer other community reference points. Agricultural ground surrounds the built-up areas, and lakes and ponds appear in the western part of the county. A visit that includes a smaller community gives a broader view of local life than remaining entirely in the city. The Big Sioux River provides a useful geographic thread connecting these different settings.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 806.838 square miles of land and 7.023 square miles of water in Minnehaha County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Minnehaha County had an estimated 197,688 residents on July 1, 2020, and 212,691 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 15,003 residents, or about 7.6%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, South Dakota.
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