Quick Facts: South Dakota

South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered to the west by Wyoming and Montana, the north by North Dakota, the east by Minnesota and Iowa, and to the south by Nebraska.

ABBREVIATION: SD
NICKNAME: Mount Rushmore State
POPULATION: 924,669 (2024 est.)
CAPITAL: Pierre
STATE BIRD: Ring-Necked Pheasant
STATE FLOWER: American Pasque Flower
AREA: 77,116 sq. mi.
TIME ZONE: Eastern half: Central, – western half: Mountain
ENTERED UNION: Nov. 2, 1889
ALTITUDE: High, 7,244 ft. Harney Peak
CLIMATE: Hot summers, cold winters. Adequate rainfall during growing season; winter blizzards.

Divided by the mighty Missouri, South Dakota contains four of the six major dams which will eventually control the river’s relentless flow, providing massive flood protection in the vast valley basin and simultaneously distributing cheap power and water for irrigation.

To the west of the Missouri, South Dakota is a land of short grass where herds of cattle thrive, while to the east stretches an expanse of fertile plains where oats, corn, and spring wheat flourish. Agriculture has historically been a key component of the South Dakota economy and is it’s largest industry, about 90% of South Dakota is farmland.

Mining was once a major industry in South Dakota. The mile-high city of Lead (pronounced Leed) is located in what was once known as “the richest 100 square miles on earth”. Gold was discovered around 1876 which eventually led to the “Homestake Mine”, the largest, deepest, and most productive gold mine in the Western Hemisphere.

The mine closed in 2001-2002, but the company town of Lead still remains; it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Gold mining activity still exists in South Dakota, but on a minor scale compared to its ‘golden era’.

Mount Rushmore, in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Tourism is the new ‘Gold’ in South Dakota. In 2006, travelers spent nearly $865 million across the state. Tourism is South Dakota’s second-largest industry, and Mount Rushmore is the state’s top tourist attraction.

The Mount Rushmore National Memorial draws millions of visitors each year from around the world. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held annually in Sturgis, usually during the first full week of August. The City of Sturgis has calculated that the Rally brings in over $800 million to South Dakota annually.

To a lesser extent, the under construction Crazy Horse Memorial is also a destination for South Dakota tourist, as well as Badlands National Park, Black Hills National Forest, and the Jewel Cave National Monument, to name a just few.

Fun Facts:

Petrified Wood Park in Lemmon is the largest park of its kind in the world. Fossils and petrified wood are arranged in unusual shapes, including a castle and pyramids.
South Dakota is the home of the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota tribes, which together make up the Sioux Nation.
The world’s largest, most complete, and best preserved specimen of Tyrannosaurus Rex discovered to date (2001) was unearthed on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in 1990. It was named Sue after the fossil hunter who found it.
In 1959, with the addition of Alaska and Hawaii to the Union, the geographic center of the United States moved from Lebanon, Kansas, to a point near Belle Fourche, South Dakota.
The 6,200-foot Mount Rushmore was created in 1927 by sculptor Gutzon Borglum for $1 million. It took him 14 years to create.
The Missouri River cuts through the center of the state.

History:

The history of South Dakota is rich with cultural heritage, exploration, conflict, and development. Situated in the heart of the American Midwest, South Dakota’s story begins thousands of years ago with the presence of Indigenous peoples, most notably the Sioux tribes.

These Native American nations, including the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota, were the region’s first inhabitants, living off the land and developing complex societies long before European settlers arrived.

European exploration of the area began in the 18th century. French fur traders and explorers were among the first Europeans to traverse the land. In 1803, the United States acquired the region as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

Just a year later, in 1804, the famed Lewis and Clark expedition traveled through what is now South Dakota while exploring the newly acquired territory. Their journals provided the first detailed descriptions of the landscape and Native peoples of the area.

The 19th century brought increased American expansion, with settlers moving westward in search of land and opportunity. This westward movement led to tensions and, eventually, violent conflicts between the U.S. government and the Native American tribes. One of the most significant and tragic events in South Dakota’s history was the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.

U.S. troops killed over 250 Lakota men, women, and children near Wounded Knee Creek, marking a devastating end to the Indian Wars and symbolizing the harsh treatment of Native Americans during this period.

Despite such conflicts, settlement in the area continued to grow. Gold was discovered in the Black Hills in the 1870s, drawing thousands of miners and fortune seekers to the region. The Black Hills were considered sacred land by the Lakota, and this gold rush led to further violations of treaties and conflicts. Eventually, the region was forcibly opened to settlers.

In 1889, South Dakota was officially admitted to the Union as the 40th state, alongside North Dakota. The division of Dakota Territory into two separate states marked a significant milestone in the region’s development.

Agriculture became the backbone of South Dakota’s economy, with homesteaders cultivating the plains. Railroads also played a crucial role, connecting small towns to larger markets and encouraging further settlement.

The 20th century saw the construction of one of South Dakota’s most iconic landmarks—Mount Rushmore. Carved between 1927 and 1941, the monument features the faces of four U.S. presidents and symbolizes the state’s place in national history.

Later in the century, another monument, the Crazy Horse Memorial, began construction to honor Native American heritage and the Lakota leader.

Today, South Dakota is a blend of tradition and progress. Its history of native resilience, pioneering spirit, and cultural transformation continues to shape its identity. From the rolling prairies to the sacred Black Hills, South Dakota remains a state steeped in the complex and enduring story of America.