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Brandon, South Dakota
Flag of Brandon, South Dakota
Flag
Motto(s): 
"Building a Better Life"
Location in Minnehaha County and the state of South Dakota
Location in Minnehaha County and the state of South Dakota
Brandon, South Dakota is located in the United States
Brandon, South Dakota
Brandon, South Dakota
Location in the United States
Country United States
State South Dakota
County Minnehaha
Incorporated 1973
Area
 • Total 5.77 sq mi (14.93 km2)
 • Land 5.72 sq mi (14.82 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2)
Elevation
1,352 ft (412 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 11,048
 • Density 1,930.79/sq mi (745.48/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (Central)
ZIP code
57005
Area code(s) 605
FIPS code 46-06840
GNIS feature ID 1254042
Website City of Brandon

Brandon is a lively city in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, United States. It's located just five miles (about 8 kilometers) east of a bigger city called Sioux Falls. In 2020, about 11,048 people lived in Brandon. The city's motto is "Building a Better Life."

What is the History of Brandon, South Dakota?

Brandon got its name from Brandon Township. A post office opened here way back in 1878. This was an important step in the area's development. The city was officially incorporated in 1973.

Where is Brandon, South Dakota Located?

Brandon is nestled next to two important waterways: the Big Sioux River and Split Rock Creek. These rivers add to the natural beauty of the city.

The city covers a total area of about 5.41 square miles (14.01 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 5.37 square miles (13.91 square kilometers), is land. Only a small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.10 square kilometers), is water.

What is the Population of Brandon?

Brandon has grown quite a bit over the years! Here's how its population has changed:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1950 200
1960 696 248.0%
1970 1,431 105.6%
1980 2,589 80.9%
1990 3,545 36.9%
2000 5,693 60.6%
2010 8,785 54.3%
2020 11,048 25.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
2017 Estimate

In 2010, there were 8,785 people living in Brandon. There were 3,118 households, and 2,417 of these were families. The city had about 1,636 people per square mile (631 people per square kilometer).

Most people in Brandon are White (96.8%). A smaller number are African American (0.6%), Native American (0.5%), or Asian (0.6%). About 1.2% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Many households (48.2%) had children under 18 living with them. About 64.2% were married couples. The average household had 2.82 people, and the average family had 3.22 people. The average age in Brandon was 32.9 years old.

What Parks and Recreation are in Brandon?

Brandon offers several great places for outdoor fun!

Great Bear Recreation Park

The Great Bear Recreation Park is located about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) west of Brandon. It's a popular spot for outdoor activities.

Big Sioux Recreation Area

The Big Sioux Recreation Area is a state park west of Robert Bennis Elementary. It has a large forest along the Big Sioux River. You can find many hiking and biking trails here, along with bridges over the river. It also has camping sites and playgrounds for everyone to enjoy.

What Schools are in Brandon?

Students in Brandon attend schools within the Brandon Valley School District. This district also welcomes students from nearby areas. This is because South Dakota allows parents to choose which school district their children attend.

The Brandon Valley School District has several schools:

  • One high school
  • One middle school
  • One intermediate school
  • Four elementary schools

Brandon Valley High School, Brandon Valley Middle School, Brandon Valley Intermediate School, Brandon Elementary School, and Robert Bennis Elementary School are all located within Brandon. Valley Springs Elementary School is a few miles east in Valley Springs. Fred Assam Elementary School is a few miles west, in eastern Sioux Falls.

In 2015, the district added an intermediate school. This school is next to Robert Bennis Elementary and teaches fifth and sixth graders. This was built because the city's population was growing quickly. The new school helped make sure there was enough space for all students.

How Do People Travel in Brandon?

Brandon has important roads that help people get around.

Interstate 90 is a very long highway that runs along the city's northern border. It's a major route for traveling east and west through Brandon. South Dakota Highway 11, also known as Splitrock Boulevard, runs north and south. Many businesses in Brandon are located along Splitrock Boulevard.

Other important roads include Holly Boulevard, Sioux Boulevard, and Aspen Boulevard. Aspen Boulevard connects Brandon to other towns to the east, like Valley Springs, South Dakota; Beaver Creek, Minnesota; and Luverne, Minnesota.

What Major Events Happen in Brandon?

Brandon has hosted exciting events in the past.

Since 2013, a large free car show called Automania used to take place along Holly Boulevard in the summer. In 2013, this event brought over 70,000 people to Brandon! AutoMania is now held about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east, in Valley Springs, SD.

Who are Some Famous People from Brandon?

  • Dale Moss – a former football player who also appeared on the TV show The Bachelorette.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Brandon (Dakota del Sur) para niños

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