Hughes County, South Dakota Hughes County, South Dakota Hughes County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,022, making it the least populous capital county in the nation, and the twelfth-most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat is Pierre, the state capital. The county was created in 1873 and organized in 1880. It was named for Alexander Hughes, a legislator. Hughes County is part of the Pierre, SD Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and
South Dakota Highway 79 with U.S. Route 212 south of Newell. Near North Dakota, the highway passes through the South Dakota portion of Custer National Forest. SD 79 then joins SD 20 for a short concurrent run, and finally turns northward until it reaches North Dakota. South Dakota Highway 79 South Dakota Highway 79 (SD 79) is a state highway in the U.S. state of South Dakota. It runs from Maverick Junction near the Black Hills National Forest to the North Dakota state line. SD 79's southern terminus is at Maverick Junction near Hot Springs, where it meets US 18 and US 385. SD