About Davison County
Davison County is located in southeastern South Dakota, established in 1873 and named after Henry Davison, an early settler in the Dakota Territory. Davison County Seat is Mitchell, which is also the largest city and home to the world-famous Corn Palace, a uniquely decorated building that showcases South Dakota's agricultural heritage with murals made from thousands of bushels of corn and grains. Davison County includes approximately 436 square miles and has a population of around 20,000 residents according to recent census estimates.
- Mitchell Technical College provides workforce training and education.
Davison County sits along Interstate 90, making it a transportation and commercial hub for Davison County. The James River flows through Davison County, providing important water resources and recreational opportunities. Key county offices serving the public include Davison Register of Deeds at Davison County Courthouse, 200 East 4th Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301; Davison County Clerk of Courts at the same address; Davison Director of Equalization's Office handling property valuations; and Davison County Treasurer managing tax collections.
Davison County's economy traditionally centered on agriculture, particularly corn and soybean production, but has diversified to include manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and tourism. Davison County's flfor gently rolling prairie terrain is characteristic of the James River Valley, and Davison County experiences typical Great Plains weather with cold winters and warm summers. Davison County remains an important agricultural center while developing its service sector and educational institutions.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Davison County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Davison County. It manages Davison County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing and crime prevention programs tailored to the needs of Davison County residents. The Sheriff's Office is key to coordinating with local police departments to ensure public safety across Davison County.
Police Departments
Davison County is served by Davison County Sheriff's Office and the Mitchell Police Department. The Sheriff's Office covers the unincorporated areas, while the Mitchell Police Department handles law enforcement within the city limits of Mitchell. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response throughout Davison County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Davison County Sheriff's Office, located at 1306 North Main Street, Mitchell, SD 57301, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Davison County. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and maintains a website at https://www.davisoncountysd.gov/ with information about services and operations. The Sheriff's Office operates Davison County Jail, which houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving shorter sentences.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the jail intake process and can be requested as part of arrest records, though policies may vary by agency.
- Processing times for records requests typically range from several days to two weeks depending on the complexity of the request.
- Fees for copies and searches may apply according to county fee schedules established by SDCL § 1-27-35.
Inmates can be located through the jail roster available by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly or visiting their facility during business hours. Municipal law enforcement within Davison County is provided by the Mitchell Police Department, serving the city of Mitchell at 1616 North Main Street, Mitchell, SD 57301, phone. Under South Dakota Codified Laws § 1-27-1 et seq, the state's open records law, arrest records and booking information are generally considered public records.
Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office or police department that made the arrest, though certain information may be redacted for ongoing investigations or juvenile matters.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Davison County cover felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and sex offender registry information. Davison County Sheriff's Office and the Mitchell Police Department maintain these records. Residents can conduct background checks through the South Dakota Bureau of Investigation, which provides statewide criminal history information. The Bureau offers a full database for Davison residents seeking detailed criminal records.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Davison County are maintained by Davison County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The records are subject to South Dakota's public records law, known as the South Dakota Sunshine Law, which governs the accessibility of public documents.
Jail & Inmate Records
Davison County Jail, located in Mitchell, is the primary detention facility for people arrested within Davison County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing residents to find information about current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to security protocols.
- The bond and bail process follows South Dakota state guidelines, allowing for release pending trial under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Davison County are taken and retained by Davison County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These images are part of the arrest record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or through authorized third-party services. South Dakota does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances.
Courts & Case Records
Davison County court matters are handled by the Third Judicial Circuit Court, located at Davison County Courthouse, 200 East 4th Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301. The Circuit Court can be reached at and handles criminal, civil, family law, probate, juvenile, and small claims cases. South Dakota has a unified judicial system with circuit courts serving as the trial courts of general jurisdiction. Davison County Clerk of Courts maintains all court records and case files.
- Court records can be searched through the South Dakota Unified Judicial System's public access portal at https://ujs.sd.gov/, which provides case information, party searches, and calendar information for most cases.
- The Clerk of Courts office charges fees for certified copies of judgments, orders, and other documents according to the fee schedule established in SDCL § 15-15A-6, typically $15 for certified documents.
- Online access to docket information is generally free, though obtaining full case documents may require an in-person visit or written request.
Property & Public Records
Davison County Register of Deeds office, located at Davison County Courthouse, 200 East 4th Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301, maintains all property related records for Davison County. The office can be contacted at and is responsible for recording deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plat maps, military discharge papers (DD-214s), and other documents affecting real property titles. The Register of Deeds office provides public access to land records dating back to Davison County's establishment.
- Davison County offers online property record searches through a subscription-based system or free index searches, though full document images may require payment or in-person access.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the Register of Deeds with fees established by SDCL § 7-9-7, typically $15 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
Davison Director of Equalization's Office, located at 1313 North Main Street, Suite 2, Mitchell, SD 57301, phone, maintains property assessment records, parcel information, and property characteristics used for taxation purposes. Property tax information can be obtained through Davison County Treasurer's Office for Davison County maintains a Geographic Information System (GIS) for parcel mapping and spatial data, accessible through Davison County website or by contacting the GIS office. Under South Dakota law, specifically SDCL § 1-27-1, property records are public documents and must be made available for inspection during regular business hours, though some personal information may be redacted for security purposes.
Vital Records
Vital records for Davison County, South Dakota are managed through multiple offices depending on the type of record and when it was created. Birth and death certificates occurring in Davison County can be requested through the South Dakota Department of Health, Vital Records Office, 600 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501, or by calling. Birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates follow the same fee structure.
- The state vital records office typically processes requests within 7-10 business days for mail requests, though expedited service is available for an additional fee.
- Online ordering is available through VitalChek at https://www.sd.gov/residents/birthdeathrecords/ with additional convenience fees.
- The marriage license fee is typically $40, and there is no waiting period in South Dakota.
- Divorce decrees and dissolution records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in Davison County where the divorce was granted and can be requested as part of court records.
- Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification when requesting vital records.
Business & Licensing
Business records in Davison County are maintained at multiple levels. Local business licensing and registration for businesses operating within Mitchell city limits are handled by the Mitchell City Finance Office, City Hall, 612 North Main Street, Mitchell, SD 57301, phone. Fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As/DBA filings) may be filed with Davison County Clerk of Courts at the courthouse, though South Dakota does not have a statewide DBA registry requirement.
The primary resource for business entity searches in South Dakota is the Secretary of State's Corporation Division at https://sosenterprise.sd.gov/BusinessServices/Business/FilingSearch.aspx, where corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other registered business entities can be searched free of charge. The South Dakota Secretary of State's office is located at 500 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501, phone. Professional licenses are issued by various state boards rather than at Davison County level; these can be researched through the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation.
Sales tax licenses are administered by the South Dakota Department of Revenue. Building permits, zoning applications, and land use records for unincorporated areas of Davison County are handled by Davison County Planning and Zoning Office, and municipalities handle their own permitting. The Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 601 North Main Street, Mitchell, SD 57301, phone, website https://www.mitchellchamber.com/, provides business networking, economic development information, and support services for the local business community.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Davison County are administered by Davison County Auditor's Office, serving as the County Director of Equalization and election official, located at 200 East 4th Avenue, Suite 201, Mitchell, SD 57301, phone. Voter registration in Davison County can be completed online through the South Dakota Secretary of State's website at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote.aspx, by mail using a voter registration form, or in person at the Auditor's office, county treasurer's office, or any South Dakota driver's license station.
- South Dakota law requires voters to register at least 15 days before an election, with the deadline falling on the Monday preceding the election.
- Absentee ballots in Davison County can be requested by completing an absentee ballot application available at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/absentee-voting.aspx or through the Auditor's office.
- South Dakota allows no-excuse absentee voting, meaning any registered voter may vote absentee without providing a reason.
Polling place locations for Davison County voters can be found by visiting https://vip.sdsos.gov/viplogin.aspx and entering your address, or by contacting the Auditor's office. Election records that are public under SDCL § 12-4-7 include voter registration lists (excluding protected addresses), precinct-level election results, candidate filings, and ballot question information. Campaign finance reports are filed with the South Dakota Secretary of State for statewide and legislative races.
In the November 2024 general election, Davison County reported voter turnout of approximately 66-70%, consistent with South Dakota's typically strong election participation. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring midterm elections for the U.S. House of Representatives, potential U.S.
Senate races depending on the cycle, South Dakota Governor and other statewide constitutional offices, state legislature seats, and county offices. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM the day before the election. Absentee ballots may be returned by mail, delivered in person to the Auditor's office, or dropped off at your polling place on Election Day.
Economy & Demographics
Davison County's economy reflects a blend of traditional agriculture and growing diversification into manufacturing, healthcare, education, and services. Agriculture remains foundational, with corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock production dominating the rural scene. Davison County consistently ranks among South Dakota's top agricultural producers.
- The median household income in Davison County is estimated at approximately $58,000 to $62,000 based on recent census data, slightly below the national average but typical for rural South Dakota counties.
- Manufacturing has expanded beyond agricultural processing to include precision manufacturing and value-added production.
- Interstate 90 provides crucial transportation infrastructure, helping with commerce and logistics operations.
Major employers in Davison County include Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, one of Davison County's largest healthcare providers; Mitchell Technical College, offering specialized vocational training; the Mitchell School District; and various manufacturing operations. The Dakotah! Brands facility produces snack foods and confections.
Walmart, Bomgaars, and other retail establishments provide significant employment. The tourism sector benefits from the Corn Palace, which attracts approximately 500,000 visitors annually, along with the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village archaeological site. Recent economic development efforts have focused on workforce development through Mitchell Technical College partnerships, entrepreneurship support, and industrial park expansion.
The unemployment rate in Davison County typically tracks below state and national averages, reflecting a tight labor market. Retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, educational services, and accommodation and food services represent major employment sectors alongside traditional agriculture.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (UJS Portal) | Property: Yes: Online Index Available | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Contact Required | Vital Records: Limited: State Office/In-Person | Business: Yes: Online (State Level) | Elections: Yes: Online Resources | Overall Score: 7/10, Davison County provides solid access to most public records with online court and property searches available, though some records require direct agency contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Davison County
Explore public records for 3 cities and communities in Davison County, South Dakota.