South Dakota Information and Facts

Official Website: http://www.state.sd.us/

Income

The population of South Dakota in 2002 was 760,437. Its rank was 46th in the nation. (The District of Columbia is included for ranking purposes.)

Per Capita Personal Income

In 2002 South Dakota had a per capita personal income of $26,967. This per capita personal income ranked 37th in the United States and was 87 percent of the national average, $30,906. The 2002 per capita personal income reflected an increase of 0.3 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.2 percent. In 1992 the per capita personal income of South Dakota was $17,799 and ranked 37th in the United States. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of per capita personal income was 4.2 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 4.0 percent.

Total Personal Income

In 2002 South Dakota had a total personal income of $20,506,702. This total personal income ranked 48th in the United States. In 1992 the total personal income of South Dakota was $12,686,864 and ranked 48th in the United States. The 2002 total personal income reflected an increase of 0.6 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 2.3 percent. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of total personal income was 4.9 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.2 percent.

Components of Personal Income

Total personal income includes net earnings by place of residence; dividends, interest, and rent; and total personal current transfer receipts received by the residents of South Dakota. In 2002 net earnings accounted for 63.0 percent of total personal income (compared with 65.1 in 1992); dividends, interest, and rent were 22.0 percent (compared with 20.9 in 1992); and personal current transfer receipts were 15.0 percent (compared with 14.1 in 1992). From 2001 to 2002 net earnings decreased 0.9 percent; dividends, interest, and rent increased 0.4 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased 8.3 percent. From 1992 to 2002 net earnings increased on average 4.6 percent each year; dividends, interest, and rent increased on average 5.5 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased on average 5.6 percent.

Employment Earnings

Earnings of persons employed in South Dakota decreased from $14,871,866 in 2001 to $14,809,951 in 2002, a decrease of 0.4 percent. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.5 percent. The average annual growth rate from the 1992 estimate of $9,297,626 to the 2002 estimate was 4.8 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.3 percent.

Area - South Dakota ranks 17th in size among the states. It covers 199,742 sq km (77,121 sq mi), including 3173 sq km (1225 sq mi) of inland water. The state's extreme dimensions are about 395 km (about 245 mi) from north to south and about 610 km (about 380 mi) from east to west. The mean elevation is about 670 m (about 2200 ft).

Climate - The state as a whole has hot summers and cold winters. The Black Hills are generally cooler and wetter than the surrounding plains area. Average January temperatures are everywhere less than -4° C (24° F) and decrease to less than -12° C (10° F) in some northern sections. The January temperatures in Sioux Falls range from -16° to -4° C (3° to 24° F). Nightime lows of -29° C (-20° F) occur during most winters. July averages are in the low and middle 20°s C (low and middle 70°s F) throughout most of the state, and are somewhat lower in the Black Hills. The average temperature range in Sioux Falls in July is 17° to 30° C (62° to 86° F). Average annual precipitation (rainfall and snowfall) increases from roughly west to east, ranging from about 330 mm (about 13 in) in the northwest to about 630 mm (about 25 in) in the southeast. The Black Hills receive an average of between 360 and 610 mm (14 and 24 in) of precipitation a year. However, precipitation varies considerably from year to year, and prolonged droughts can occur, especially in the western and central areas. Fortunately, three-fourths of all precipitation falls as rain during the crop-growing season.

State Flag

State Flower - Pasque Flower

State Capitol - Pierre
South Dakota's present state constitution was adopted in 1889, and has been amended many times. Amendments may be proposed by the state legislature, by initiative, or by a constitutional convention. In order to be adopted, a proposed amendment must be placed on the ballot in a regular state-wide election and then be approved by a majority of the citizens voting on the proposal.

Famous People

Cheryl Ladd actress, Huron
Crazy Horse Oglala chief
David C. Jones U.S. Air Force general, Aberdeen
Dorothy Provine actress, Deadwood
Ernest Orlando Lawrence physicist, Canton
George McGovern politician, Avon
Hubert H. Humphrey senator and vice president, Wallace
Jess Thomas opera singer, Hot Springs
Joseph Hansen author, Aberdeen
Mamie Van Doren actress, Rowena
Myron Floren accordionist, Roslyn
Norm Van Brocklin football player, Parade
Oscar Howe Sioux artist, Joe Creek
Rain-in-the-Face Hunkpapa Sioux chief
Red Cloud Oglala Sioux chief
Roy Braxton Justus cartoonist, Avon
Russell Means American Indian activist, Pine Ridge
Sitting Bull Hunkpappa Sioux chief
Sparky Anderson baseball manager, Bridgewater
Tom Brokaw TV newscaster, Webster