Real Estate Directory - South Dakota

Population: 775,933 (2005 figures)
Capital city/population: Pierre 13,939 (all 2003 figures)
Largest cities/population:

  • Sioux Falls - 133,834
  • Rapid City - 60,876

South Dakota is the 17th largest state, with a total area of 77,121 square miles. Its climate is generally sunny and fair, with January temperatures averaging 17ºF and summer temperatures averaging 72ºF. Annual precipitation ranges from 13” – 25”. South Dakota was admitted into the Union on November 2, 1889. Its Jewel Cave is the third longest cave in the world, with more than 120 miles of surveyed passages. The cave gets its name from calcite crystals that glitter when illuminated.

HOUSING

Sioux Falls – Average price for a single-family home is $135,014, with the majority of the homes being owner-occupied. Sioux Falls has a wonderful cultural life, including art museums, an Air & Space Gallery exhibit, and a variety of concerts.

Rapid City – As of the close of 2005, there were over 420 homes for sale, including new construction, apartments, and mobile homes. Average price for a single-family home is $159,160, with homes remaining on the market for an average of 63 days. Home sellers have been receiving slightly over 97% of their asking price. Rapid City is located in the beautiful Black Hills, famous for the Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Principal industries include agriculture, services, and manufacturing. Manufactured goods include food products, machinery, and electric/electronic equipment. Crops include corn, oats, wheat, sunflowers, soybeans, and sorghum. Gross state product for 2001 was $24,251 million, with a per capita income for 1999 of $17,562.

SCHOOLS

South Dakota has developed Content Standards to explain exactly what essential core of knowledge and skills it expects students to master. These standards lay out what all students should know and be able to do at various points throughout their K-12 career. Implementation of these standards by each district ensures that students receive a consistent education across the state, and that completion of high school has a clear meaning. In the public sector, student-teacher ratio for 1994 was 14:4, with an average teachers’ salary for 1995 of $26,346.

In 1881, the South Dakota State University – Brookings opened, and the University of South Dakota – Vermillion opened in 1882. The School of Mines and Technology – Rapid City opened in 1887. Other state-supported colleges are located at Aberdeen, Spearfish, and Madison. Private colleges are Augustana and Sioux Falls, both at Sioux Falls, Huron College, Dakota Wesleyan University – Mitchell, and Mount Marty – Yankton.

HISTORY

Warfare broke out in the mid-1800s, when gold seekers entered the area, encroaching upon land granted to the Sioux. When the tribe refused to sell the reservation or mining rights, warfare occurred. In the battle of the little Bighorn, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse defeated George Custer’s troops; this loss didn’t prevent whites from continually acquiring more land belonging to the Sioux.

Native American resistance ended with the near-extinction of the buffalo herds, Sitting Bull’s death, and the massacre at Wounded Knee.

Cattle ranching dominated the economy, with herds of cattle being brought in as food for the miners. Settlement also increased following the development of railroads in the 1800s.

During the Great Depression, droughts rocked the state; combined with the economic problems, the states population declined 50,000 during the years of 1930 – 1940.

After World War II, improved farming techniques provided steady increases in agricultural and livestock production. Irrigation projects, hydroelectric power, and wind/water erosion projects have avoided the threat of new disasters. In the 1980s, South Dakota started a shift toward service and finance industries that have proved very profitable.

RELIGION

  • Christian – 91%
    • Protestant – 65%
      • Lutheran – 28%
      • Methodist – 13%
      • Presbyterian – 4%
      • Baptist – 4%
      • United Church of Christ – 2%
      • Pentecostal – 2%
      • Other Protestant or general Protestant – 12%
    • Roman Catholic – 25%
    • Other Christian – 1%
  • Other Religions – 1%
  • Non-Religious – 8%

DEMOGRAPHICS (2004)

  • White - 88.0%
  • Black - 0.6%
  • Hispanic - 1.4%
  • Native American (Third highest in the Continental U.S.) - 8.3%
  • Asian - 0.6%
  • Mixed race - 1.3%