South Dakota (SD) is located in the American Midwest. The state is famous for the iconic rock formation Mount Rushmore, which features the carved faces of four U.S. presidents. The capital of South Dakota is Pierre, while the largest city is Sioux Falls. The state’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, mineral extraction, and tourism. Among the most popular attractions in South Dakota are the Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park.
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Table of Contents
Basic Information
Name South Dakota Abbreviation SD Capital Pierre Largest city Sioux Falls (Population: 206 410) Current time 9:06 Time zone The eastern part of the state follows CST (UTC-6), the western part follows MST (UTC-7). The state follows daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) and MDT (UTC-6) Population 886,668 (#46 most populous US state) Area 77,115 mi² (#17 largest US state) Admitted to the Union November 2, 1889 (#40 state to join) ⭐ Capital of South Dakota
The capital city of South Dakota is Pierre, founded in 1880 on the opposite bank of the Missouri River across from Fort Pierre. The city is named after fur trader Pierre Chouteau Jr., who operated in the region. Pierre became the state capital in 1889, the year South Dakota joined the Union.
🏙️ Largest City in South Dakota
The largest city in South Dakota is Sioux Falls, which had a population of 206,410 in 2023. The second-largest city is Rapid City with a population of 79,404, followed by Aberdeen with 28,110 residents.
🕒 Time in South Dakota
The current time in South Dakota is 9:06. The entire state is divided between two time zones: Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7) in the western half and Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) in the eastern half. All of South Dakota observes Daylight Saving Time from March to November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of South Dakota
As of 2023, South Dakota had a population of 886,668, making it the 46th most populous state in the U.S.
📍 Area of South Dakota
The total area of South Dakota is 77,115 mi², of which 75,811 mi² is land and 1,305 mi² is water. This makes South Dakota the 17th largest state in the U.S.
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Fun Facts About South Dakota
🧩 Which States Border South Dakota
South Dakota shares borders with six U.S. states. To the west is Wyoming, northwest is Montana, north is North Dakota, east is Minnesota, southeast is Iowa, and to the south is Nebraska.
📅 Date South Dakota Joined the Union
South Dakota became the 40th state of the Union on November 2, 1889, when the former Dakota Territory was split into two parts.
📛 South Dakota State Nickname
South Dakota’s well-known nickname, “The Mount Rushmore State”, refers to the state’s most famous tourist attraction, the granite mountain featuring the carved faces of four American presidents.
⛰️ Highest Peak in South Dakota
The highest point in South Dakota is Black Elk Peak in the Black Hills, with an elevation of 7,244 ft.
🏞️ Rivers in South Dakota
The longest river in South Dakota is the Missouri River, with a total length across all states of 2,343 mi. Other major rivers include the James River (708 mi), White River (578 mi), Little Missouri River (559 mi), and Big Sioux River (419 mi).
🎓 Universities in South Dakota
The largest public university is South Dakota State University, established in 1881 in the city of Brookings, with approximately 12,000 students. The second largest is University of South Dakota with around 10,000 students, followed by the smaller Black Hills State University, with about 3,500 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in South Dakota
South Dakota has a ZIP code range from 570xx to 577xx. For more details, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA. You can look up ZIP codes for specific addresses on the USPS ZIP Code Lookup tool.
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Weather in South Dakota
The best time to visit South Dakota is summer, when most tourist attractions are open and the pleasant weather invites exploration.
Spring in South Dakota starts off cold, with March temperatures ranging from 23°F to 43°F, but gradually warms up to between 59°F and 68°F by May. Rainfall is common, with May being the wettest month.
Summer in South Dakota is warm, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 73°F to 82°F. In lower elevations, it can be even hotter, occasionally reaching up to 95°F. Thunderstorms with rain may occur sporadically, but summer remains the best time to explore nature.
Fall in South Dakota brings cooler temperatures between 50°F and 59°F. There is generally less rainfall than in spring, making September and October great months for hiking and sightseeing.
Winter in South Dakota is freezing, with temperatures dropping as low as 5°F. Heavy snowfall is common, especially in December and January, creating ideal conditions for skiing and other winter sports.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in South Dakota
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What to See in South Dakota
1️⃣ Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of the most famous landmarks in the USA, attracting millions of visitors each year. The granite mountain features the carved faces of four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
The area surrounding the memorial features several hiking trails. The visitor center provides insightful information about the site’s history and the sculptor behind the monument.
2️⃣ Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is located in the southwestern part of the state and is known for its unusual limestone formations. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views from several overlooks or embark on one of the park’s many hiking trails.
Badlands is also famous for its fossils—remains of prehistoric mammals have been discovered in multiple areas. Among the park’s wildlife are bison, bighorn sheep, and other native species.
3️⃣ Custer State Park
Custer is one of the largest state parks in the USA and is especially well known for its large herds of bison—about 1,400 roam freely throughout the park. There are several hiking trails within the park, the most popular being the relatively easy Sylvan Lake Trail, which leads to a scenic lake and offers stunning views of the rock formations. A visit to the park can easily be combined with a trip to nearby Mount Rushmore.
4️⃣ Bear Country USA
Bear Country USA is a drive-through wildlife park near Rapid City where visitors can observe animals roaming freely from the comfort of their own vehicle. The park is home to a large number of grizzly bears, black bears, bison, and wolves.
There is also a pedestrian area where guests can see bear cubs and smaller animals up close. Bear Country USA is a particularly appealing attraction for families with children.
5️⃣ Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park is home to one of the longest and largest cave systems in the world. You can explore the cave’s depths with a guided tour that takes you through an underground network of chambers and tunnels.
The park’s main attraction is the unique boxwork limestone formation, which somewhat resembles a honeycomb. Several hiking trails are marked around the caves, offering opportunities to spot bison, deer, and other wildlife.
6️⃣ Corn Palace
The Corn Palace in Mitchell is one of the most bizarre attractions South Dakota has to offer. Essentially, it’s a cultural center that hosts various exhibitions, concerts, and sporting events. What makes it so unusual is the building’s exterior, which is decorated with mosaics made from corn and other grains.
The design and pattern of the mosaic change every year. The Corn Palace also features an exhibit focused on the history of agriculture in South Dakota.
7️⃣ Jewel Cave National Monument
The explored passages of Jewel Cave extend for 200 mi, making it the third-longest cave in the world. Jewel Cave is renowned for its sparkling calcite formations, which resemble gemstones to many visitors. A variety of guided tours are available, ranging from easy walks to challenging expeditions.
8️⃣ Western Town of Deadwood
The town of Deadwood is located near the Wyoming border and is listed as a National Historic Landmark due to its rich history tied to the Wild West. The town preserves historic buildings, hotels, and a museum that recall its rough and rugged past.
Visitors can learn about legendary figures such as gunslinger Wild Bill Hickok and his companion Calamity Jane, who lived in Deadwood during the Gold Rush.
9️⃣ Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame in Sturgis is best known for the annual rally that draws thousands of bikers from around the world. The museum is dedicated to the history of motorcycles, and its Hall of Fame honors the legends of the motorcycle world. Exhibits include historic bikes, classic models, and even relatively modern machines.
🔟 Spearfish Canyon
Spearfish Canyon is one of the most beautiful canyons in South Dakota, loved for its steep limestone cliffs and lush vegetation. Hiking trails run throughout the canyon, offering views of waterfalls, the most famous being Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls.
The best time to visit Spearfish Canyon is in the fall, when the deciduous trees turn brilliant shades of red and orange.
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Largest Cities in South Dakota
The table below lists the ten largest cities in the state of South Dakota as of 2023, based on data from the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary mission is conducting the census.
City County Population 1 Sioux Falls Minnehaha, Lincoln 206,410 Map of Sioux Falls 2 Rapid City Pennington 79,404 Map of Rapid City 3 Aberdeen Brown 28,110 Map of Aberdeen 4 Brookings Brookings 24,312 Map of Brookings 5 Watertown Codington 23,230 Map of Watertown 6 Yankton Yankton 15,630 Map of Yankton 7 Mitchell Davison 15,621 Map of Mitchell 8 Huron Beadle 14,618 Map of Huron 9 Pierre Hughes 13,880 Map of Pierre 10 Box Elder Pennington, Meade 13,868 Map of Box Elder -
Sports Teams in South Dakota
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
No team from South Dakota plays in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
South Dakota does not have a team represented in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There is no team in South Dakota that plays in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
No team from South Dakota participates in Major League Baseball (MLB).
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
No team from South Dakota plays in the MLS.
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State Symbols of South Dakota
South Dakota law defines a variety of official state symbols. This article includes only a selection of them.
Flag of the State of South Dakota
The current version of the state flag was adopted in 1992, featuring slight modifications to the design that had been used since 1963. The South Dakota flag consists of a blue field with the state seal in the center, surrounded by golden triangles representing sun rays. This is encircled by the name of the state and its nickname.
Seal of the State of South Dakota
The state seal was designed in 1885, prior to South Dakota’s admission to the Union in 1889. The imagery on the seal reflects life in South Dakota at the time: hills, a river with a boat, a mine, and a farmer with livestock. These elements are accompanied by the state’s name and motto.
State Flower
The official flower of South Dakota is the pasqueflower (Pulsatilla hirsutissima), a purple-blooming plant that grows up to 40 cm. It has held this status since 1903.
State Tree
Since 1947, the official state tree of South Dakota has been the Black Hills spruce (Picea glauca var. densata), which grows in places such as the Black Hills. Interestingly, spruce tips are used in the production of beer, gin, and confections.
State Bird
In 1943, a law designated the ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) as the official state bird, despite it not being native to the United States. Each year, over one million pheasants are hunted in South Dakota alone.
State Animal
The official state animal of South Dakota has been the coyote (Canis latrans) since 1949. Coyotes inhabit all 48 contiguous U.S. states, with South Dakota’s population estimated between 70,000 and 75,000 individuals.
State Song
South Dakota adopted its state song in 1943, when the people chose Hail, South Dakota! by popular referendum. The music and lyrics were composed by local native DeeCort Hammitt during World War II.
State Gemstone
Since 1966, the official state gemstone has been the Fairburn agate, named after its source in Fairburn County in southwestern South Dakota. It is distinct from other known agates due to its color and the shape of its individual bands.
State Fish
In 1982, the walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus) became the official state fish of South Dakota after being promoted by local anglers. The walleye is commonly found in the Missouri River and in glacial lakes in eastern South Dakota.
State Beverage
Since 1986, the official beverage of South Dakota has been plain milk, intended to support the local dairy industry.
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