South Dakota

Table of Contents

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images & Videos

South Dakota: flag

state seal of South Dakota

The ring-necked pheasant is that state bird of South Dakota.

The American Pasque Flower is the state flower of South Dakota.

South Dakota features

northeastern South Dakota

Bison in Custer State Park

For Students

South Dakota State Capitol

South Dakota summary

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South Dakota: Facts & Stats

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

South Dakota student who earned Ph.D. while DHS tried to deport her over minor traffic violation is granted injunction • May 17, 2025, 3:51 AM ET (NBC)

Lawmakers seek to rein in citizen ballot initiatives with new requirements for petitions • May 7, 2025, 12:17 PM ET (AP)

Campgrounds and visitor centers at federal lakes are closing amid Trump's budget cuts • Apr. 27, 2025, 12:03 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As	Mount Rushmore State
Capital	Pierre
Population¹	(2020) 886,667; (2024 est.) 924,669
Governor	Larry Rhoden (Republican)
Date Of Admission	November 2, 1889
U.S. Senators	Mike Rounds (Republican) • John Thune (Republican)
State Nickname	The Mount Rushmore State
State Motto	"Under God the People Rule"
State Bird	ring-necked pheasant
State Flower	American pasqueflower
State Song	“Hail, South Dakota”
Seats In U.S. House Of Representatives	1 (of 435)
Time Zone	Mountain (GMT − 7 hours) • Central (GMT − 6 hours)
Total Area (Sq Km)	199,729
Total Area (Sq Mi)	77,116
¹Excluding military abroad.

Photos and Videos

South Dakota: flag

state seal of South Dakota

The ring-necked pheasant is that state bird of South Dakota.

The American Pasque Flower is the state flower of South Dakota.

South Dakota features

northeastern South Dakota

Bison in Custer State Park

Listen to the discussion about the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota

Follow wheat berries from field to grain elevator as migrant laborers use a combine to harvest the crop

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Kristi Noem Mike Rounds United States U.S. state Sioux Falls Wounded Knee Rapid City Pierre Deadwood Mitchell California New York Hawaii Texas Washington Alaska Florida Massachusetts New Jersey Virginia

Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem

American politician

Rounds, Mike

Mike Rounds

United States senator

United States

Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls

South Dakota, United States

Wounded Knee Massacre monument

Wounded Knee

hamlet, South Dakota, United States

Rapid City, South Dakota

Rapid City

South Dakota, United States

South Dakota State Capitol

Pierre

South Dakota, United States

Deadwood, South Dakota

Deadwood

South Dakota, United States

Corn Palace

Mitchell

South Dakota, United States

Custer: 1881 Courthouse Museum

Custer

South Dakota, United States

grave of Sitting Bull, Mobridge, South Dakota

Mobridge

South Dakota, United States

Yankton: Bishop Marty Rectory

Yankton

South Dakota, United States

Spearfish

South Dakota, United States

Hot Springs

South Dakota, United States

Center of the Nation Monument

Belle Fourche

South Dakota, United States

Brookings

Brookings

South Dakota, United States

South Dakota, University of: National Music Museum

Vermillion

South Dakota, United States

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