South Dakota State Population

Sparsely populated Great Plains state.

South Dakota maintains a relatively small population, currently just under one million residents, making it one of the least populous states in the U.S. Historically, its population experienced rapid growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries with westward expansion and agricultural settlement, peaking around the 1930s before facing significant periods of stagnation or even decline, particularly during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression eras as economic hardship led to out-migration. Subsequent decades saw slow, steady recovery, and more recently, the state has exhibited modest but consistent growth, surpassing 900,000 residents in the last decade, largely driven by the expansion of its two major urban centers, Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Conversely, many rural counties continue to face challenges of depopulation and an aging demographic, reflecting broader trends across the Great Plains, leading to an overall population trajectory marked by urban-centric expansion amidst persistent rural shifts.

Data Source: US Census Bureau