According to Educationvv, Codington County, South Dakota is located in the northeastern corner of the state and is part of the Watertown Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Watertown, which is also the largest city in the county. As of 2018, Codington County had an estimated population of 26,941 people. The total area of Codington County is 543 square miles and it has a population density of 49 people per square mile.
Codington County has 34 townships that are divided into 3 districts: Grant, Marshall and Mellette. The county’s economy is mainly agricultural with corn, soybeans and wheat being the most common crops grown in the area. Cattle ranching and dairy farming are also important industries in Codington County.
The county’s largest employers include Lake Area Technical Institute (LATI), Codington County Memorial Hospital (CCMH), 3M Corporation, Ellsworth Air Force Base and Walmart Supercenter. LATI offers educational opportunities for students seeking to pursue technical careers while CCMH provides health services to residents in the area. Other employers include various manufacturing companies such as Syngenta AG and Procter & Gamble as well as retail establishments like Walmart Supercenter that employ many people throughout the county.
In addition to its strong economic base, Codington County also offers many recreational activities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy such as fishing on Lake Kampeska or hunting at Lake Poinsett State Park or Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, there are several parks located throughout the county including Bramble Park Zoo and Watertown Regional Library where visitors can spend time outdoors enjoying nature or checking out books from one of their many libraries located throughout the area.
Whether you’re looking to start a business or just want to take some time to enjoy all that this beautiful region has to offer, Codington County offers something for everyone. With a strong economic base combined with plenty of recreational activities available, this South Dakota county is sure to be an enjoyable place to live or visit.
History of Codington County, South Dakota
Codington County, South Dakota is located in the northeastern part of the state and is the 11th most populous county in South Dakota. It was founded in 1877 and named after General William Codington, a veteran of the American Civil War. The county seat is Watertown, which is also the largest city in the county.
In its early history, Codington County was populated by Native American tribes such as the Lakota Sioux, Santee Sioux, and Yanktonai Sioux. The first European settlers arrived around 1868 and began to settle near Watertown. The area quickly grew due to its rich soil and abundance of natural resources which attracted many farmers and ranchers.
By 1880, Codington County had become one of the most populous counties in South Dakota with a population of over 6,000 people. At this time it was one of only nine counties that had been organized since statehood in 1889. As more people moved into the area, new businesses were established which helped to further develop the local economy.
The Great Depression hit Codington County hard as many farmers were forced to sell their land due to financial difficulties. However, during World War II there was an influx of people who moved to the area for work opportunities at nearby military bases such as Ellsworth Air Force Base and Camp Crook Army Airfield. This helped to revive the local economy and bring more jobs into Codington County.
Today, Codington County is home to a diverse population that continues to grow each year thanks to its strong economic base which includes agriculture, manufacturing, retail establishments and educational institutions such as Lake Area Technical Institute (LATI). Additionally, there are many recreational activities available throughout the county including fishing on Lake Kampeska or hunting at Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge or Lake Poinsett State Park where visitors can spend time outdoors enjoying nature or checking out books from one of their many libraries located throughout the area.
Whether you’re looking for work opportunities or just want to take some time out for yourself with all that this beautiful region has to offer, Codington County provides something for everyone. With a strong economic base combined with plenty of recreational activities available this South Dakota county is sure to be an enjoyable place live or visit.
Major cities and towns in Codington County, South Dakota
Codington County, South Dakota is home to several major cities and towns including Watertown, the county seat, and Florence. Watertown is the largest city in Codington County with a population of over 21,000 people. This bustling city offers a variety of retail stores, restaurants, and recreational activities for both visitors and residents alike. The city is also home to Lake Area Technical Institute (LATI), a two-year technical college offering degrees in more than 70 different fields of study.
Florence is located just south of Watertown and has a population of around 2,000 people. This small town offers its residents an array of amenities such as churches, schools, parks, and various businesses. Florence also hosts several community events throughout the year including the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade which takes place each March.
Other cities and towns in Codington County include Clear Lake, Castlewood, Henry, Kranzburg, Milbank Township and Rauville Township. Clear Lake is an unincorporated community located along the shores of Lake Kampeska which offers a variety of recreational activities such as fishing or boating for its residents. Castlewood is another unincorporated community located east of Watertown that boasts an array of shops and restaurants for locals to enjoy.
Henry is a small village located in southeastern Codington County that was founded in 1881 by German settlers who named it after Henry Schmiedt who was one of the first settlers to arrive in the area. Kranzburg is an unincorporated community located near Florence that was named after local farmer August Kranz who owned land near what eventually became Kranzburg Township. Milbank Township is home to over 1,800 people who enjoy living among its abundant natural resources which include lakeside camping sites at Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge or hiking trails at nearby Lake Poinsett State Park. Lastly, Rauville Township which lies just west of Watertown offers rural living with some local businesses scattered among its farmland landscape for residents to enjoy.
Codington County provides something for everyone from bustling cities like Watertown to small rural towns like Henry or Rauville Township each offering their own unique attractions and amenities for locals or visitors alike.
Airports in Codington County, South Dakota
According to countryaah.com, Codington County in South Dakota is home to two airports, Watertown Regional Airport and Henry Airport. Watertown Regional Airport is a public airport located three miles south of the city of Watertown and serves as a general aviation facility. It offers two runways, one 5,000-foot runway and one 4,000-foot runway. The airport also features an air traffic control tower, fuel services, aircraft parking and an instrument landing system. It handles both private charter flights and commercial airlines providing flights to nearby cities such as Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport or Sioux Falls Regional Airport.
Henry Airport is a privately owned public use airport located four miles east of the village of Henry in Codington County. The airport has one 3,200-foot runway with an asphalt surface that can accommodate small single engine planes up to larger multi-engine planes. It also features aircraft parking areas for both short term and long term storage needs. Henry Airport offers fueling services to its customers as well as basic repair services for minor aircraft maintenance needs.
Both airports have an array of amenities available for their customers including several car rental agencies located near the terminals for those needing transportation once they land at either airport. There are also snack bars located in the terminals offering food and beverages for travelers before or after their flights. In addition to these services, there are several banks located within walking distance from each terminal offering currency exchanges or cash withdrawals for those who need it while visiting Codington County or just passing through on their way to another destination.
Codington County provides two airports that offer travelers a wide range of amenities making it easy for them to get around the area or just pass through on their way elsewhere.
