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 13 intersection with U.S. Route 14 (US 14). SD 13 was formerly a segment of SD 11. This was changed to SD 13 between 1932 and 1935. At that time, its original northern terminus was extended eastward to its current location at US 14 north of Elkton. This was due to a rerouting of US 14 in the early 1930s. South Dakota Highway 13 South Dakota Highway 13 (SD 13) is a state highway in the east-central part of the U.S. state of South Dakota. It connects Flandreau with Elkton. SD 13 was originally part of SD 11's path. SD 13