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 36 South Dakota Highway 36 South Dakota Highway 36 (SD 36) is an east–west state route located in southwest South Dakota. It begins at the junction of U.S. Route 16A on the eastern edge of Custer State Park, and ends at South Dakota Highway 79 just south of Hermosa. It is slightly over in length. South Dakota Highway 36 begins at a junction with SD 79 approximately one mile south of Hermosa. From there, it travels southwest along a winding mountainous road for about before terminating in Custer State Park at a junction with US 16A. South Dakota 36 was implemented