History of South Dakota

South Dakota, located in the northern Great Plains, became the 40th state admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889, alongside North Dakota. Its rich history includes being the ancestral land of the Lakota Sioux and other Native American tribes. The area played a pivotal role in westward expansion, highlighted by events like the Battle of Little Bighorn and the establishment of Fort Pierre in 1817, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the state. South Dakota is also home to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, completed in 1941, a tribute to four U.S. presidents.

Demographics

South Dakota, with geographic coordinates of 44.5000° N, 100.0000° W, has a population of approximately 909,824 as of 2023. The racial composition includes 84% White, 9% Native American, 3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2% African American. Major cities include Sioux Falls (population ~204,000) and Rapid City (population ~79,000). The state has a median household income of $65,898, supported by agriculture, tourism, and energy production.

Government & Politics

South Dakota has a state constitution with three branches of government. Key agencies include:

• Governor’s Office: Phone: 605-773-3212
  Address: 500 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501

• South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT): Phone: 605-773-3265
  Address: 700 E Broadway Ave, Pierre, SD 57501

• South Dakota Department of Health: Phone: 605-773-3361
  Address: 600 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501

The state leans conservative in national politics, consistently voting Republican in presidential elections.

Companies & Economy

South Dakota’s economy thrives on agriculture, tourism, and financial services. Key businesses include:

• Sanford Health: 1305 W 18th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
• First PREMIER Bank: 500 S Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
• Black Hills Energy: 409 Deadwood Ave, Rapid City, SD 57702

Tourism attractions like Mount Rushmore and the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally contribute billions to the state economy.

Colleges & Universities

South Dakota offers several notable higher education institutions:

• University of South Dakota (USD)
  Address: 414 E Clark St, Vermillion, SD 57069
  Known for its law and medical schools.

• South Dakota State University (SDSU)
  Address: 1175 Medary Ave, Brookings, SD 57007
  Focuses on agriculture, engineering, and nursing.

• Black Hills State University
  Address: 1200 University St, Spearfish, SD 57799
  Specializes in education and business programs.

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Transportation & Public Transit

South Dakota’s transportation infrastructure includes:

• Sioux Area Metro (SAM)
  Address: 500 E 6th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57103
  Phone: 605-367-7151

• Rapid Transit System (RTS)
  Address: 333 6th St, Rapid City, SD 57701
  Phone: 605-394-6631

Air travel is supported by regional airports like Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) and Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP).

Arts & Culture

South Dakota has a vibrant cultural scene:

• South Dakota Art Museum
  Address: 1036 Medary Ave, Brookings, SD 57007

• The Dahl Arts Center
  Address: 713 7th St, Rapid City, SD 57701

• Washington Pavilion
  Address: 301 S Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Events like the Black Hills Film Festival celebrate the arts across the state.

Parks & Outdoors

South Dakota’s natural beauty is showcased in its parks:

• Badlands National Park
  Address: 25216 Ben Reifel Rd, Interior, SD 57750

• Custer State Park
  Address: 13329 US-16A, Custer, SD 57730

• Wind Cave National Park
  Address: 26611 US-385, Hot Springs, SD 57747

Outdoor activities include hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

Additional Local Resources

• South Dakota Tourism
  Address: 711 E Wells Ave, Pierre, SD 57501
  Phone: 605-773-3301

• South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department
  Address: 523 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501
  Phone: 605-223-7660

• South Dakota Chamber of Commerce
  Address: 222 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501
  Phone: 605-224-6161

Citations: [1] https://datausa.io/profile/geo/south-dakota [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_South_Dakota [3] https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/south-dakota [4] https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/01/10/state-demographer-projects-older-population-over-the-next-decade/ [5] https://mchb.tvisdata.hrsa.gov/Narratives/Overview/9bff16ac-d4aa-4bff-a6d8-6739f77b5426 [6] https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/SD/PST045223 [7] https://usafacts.org/data/topics/people-society/population-and-demographics/our-changing-population/state/south-dakota/ [8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Dakota