South Dakota State Almanac: Facts and Figures
Quick Facts, Figures, and Overview of the State of South Dakota
South Dakota is one of the West North Central states of the US. It is considered a part of both the Midwest as well as the Great Plains region. South Dakota is bordered to the north by North Dakota; to the south by Nebraska; to the east by Iowa and Minnesota; and to the west by Wyoming and Montana. The total land area of South Dakota is 77,121 square miles (199,740 sq. km)This is the 17th largest state by area in the Union. The state also consists of many rivers and natural lakes. North and South Dakota were one territory until 1889. South Dakota was named for the Dakota, Sioux tribe which lived in the region. Dakota is the Sioux word for "friends" or "allies."
Agriculture is a cultural and economic mainstay, but it no longer leads the state in employment or share of gross state product. Durable-goods manufacturing and private services have evolved as the drivers of the economy. Tourism is also a booming industry in the state, generating over a billion dollars' worth of economic activity each year.
South Dakota is the second-largest producer of sunflower seed and oil in the nation. South Dakota is also a leading producer of a variety of small
grains including oats, barley, rye, flaxseed, sorghum and alfalfa.
South Dakota Almanac: Facts on South Dakota |
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| Official Name | South Dakota | ||
| Capital | Pierre | ||
| Nicknames | The Mount Rushmore State (Official); Coyote State ...and more | ||
| Motto | Under God, the people rule | ||
| Location Region |
44.37298 N, 100.32248 W Great Plains Midwest Northwestern |
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| Constitution Ratified | 1889 | ||
| Statehood | November 02, 1889 40th state |
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| Population | 775,933 (2010) 9.95 sq. mi. 46th |
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| Largest City (by population) |
10 largest cities (2010 est.):Sioux Falls, 153,888; Rapid City, 67,956; Aberdeen, 26,091; Brookings, 22,056; Watertown, 21,482; Mitchell, 15.254; Yankton, 14,454; Pierre, 13,646; Huron, 12,592; Vermillion, 10,571 | ||
| Bordering States | North: North Dakota East: Minnesota and Iowa South: Nebraska (Missouri River forms part of the Southeastern boundary) West: Wyoming and Montana |
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| Major Industry | |||
| Major Rivers | |||
| Major Lakes | |||
| South Dakota Counties | 66 Counties in South Dakota | ||
| Largest County (by population) |
Minnehaha County 169,468 (2010) 809 sq. mi. |
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| Largest County (by area) |
Meade County 3,471 sq mi. |
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| State parks | 12 | ||
| Electoral Votes | 3 | ||
| US Congress | 2 Senators; 1 Representative | ||
| Time Zone | Central Standard Time Mountain Standard Time |
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| Zip Codes | NANPA | ||
| State Quick Facts | Census Bureau Quick Facts | ||
South Dakota Climate and Weather |
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| Weather in the Great Plains usually includes broad temperature changes in
South Dakota, light to moderate precipitation. low humidity and plenty of sunshine.
January is the coldest month, with average temperatures ranging from 10 degrees in the east to 14 degrees in the west. July is the warmest month, with average temperatures ranging from 69 degrees in the east to 64 degrees in the west. South Dakota does have occasional days with high temperatures near 90 degrees, and harsh winter temperatures (way below 0 degrees) are normal. Annual precipitation amounts range from 25 inches in the east and southeast, while the west receives no more than 20 inches on average. The exception is the Black Hills, where rain can exceed 35 inches yearly. |
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| Highest Temperature | 120 degrees July 5th, 1936 - Gannvalley |
| Lowest Temperature | -58 degrees February 17, 1936 - McIntosh |
| Avg. Temp: High - Low |
86.5 degrees - 1.9 degrees |
South Dakota Points of Interest |
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| The Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Presidents Park, the Badlands and Wind Cave National Park . Other tourist attractions include the the World's Only Corn Palace, in Mitchell; and the city of Deadwood, where Wild Bill Hickok was killed in 1876 and where gambling was recently legalized.to name but a few. | |
South Dakota Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet) |
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| Mean Elevation: 2,200 feet | |
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Highest Point: Harney Peak: 7,242 feet
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| Lowest Point: | Big Stone Lake 966 feet |
South Dakota Land Area (Square Miles) |
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| Geographic Center | In Hughes County, 8 mi. NE of Pierre Longitude: 100°28.7'W Latitude: 44°24.1'N |
| Total Area | 77,116.49 sq. mi. 17th |
| Land Area | 75,884.64 sq. mi. 98.41% |
| Water Area | 1,231.85 sq. mi. 1.59% |
| Forested Land Area | |
| Dimensions (Length - Width) |
380 miles - 210 miles |
As well as being the South Dakota
high point, Harney Peak is the tallest peak in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. It lies in the beautiful Black Hills, a region with a unique
natural history. The range exists like an island in the surrounding prairie grassland.Aurora, Beadle, Bennett, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, Butte, Campbell, Charles Mix, Clark, Clay, Codington, Corson, Custer, Davison, Day, Deuel, Dewey, Douglas, Edmunds, Fall River, Faulk, Grant, Gregory, Haakon, Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Harding, Hughes, Hutchinson, Hyde, Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, Kingsbury, Lake, Lawrence, Lincoln, Lyman, Marshall, McCook, McPherson, Meade, Mellette, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Pennington, Perkins, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, Shannon, Spink, Stanley, Sully, Todd, Tripp, Turner, Union, Walworth, Yankton, Ziebach
