Fort Thompson, South Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Thompson, South Dakota
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Location in Buffalo County and the state of South Dakota
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| Country | United States |
| State | South Dakota |
| County | Buffalo |
| Incorporated | 1889 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12.60 sq mi (32.63 km2) |
| • Land | 10.38 sq mi (26.88 km2) |
| • Water | 2.22 sq mi (5.75 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,437 ft (438 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,224 |
| • Density | 117.95/sq mi (45.54/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
57339
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| Area code(s) | 605 |
| FIPS code | 46-22340 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2393006 |
Fort Thompson (in the Lakota language, it's called Čunkičakse) is a small community in Buffalo County, South Dakota, United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area identified by the government for counting people, but it's not an officially incorporated city or town.
In 2010, about 1,282 people lived here. This made Fort Thompson the biggest community on the Crow Creek Reservation. The community was named after Clark W. Thompson. He was a superintendent of Indian Affairs.
Contents
Exploring Fort Thompson's Location
Fort Thompson is located in the state of South Dakota. According to the United States Census Bureau, the total area of this community is about 12.6 square miles (32.6 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 10.3 square miles (26.8 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 2.3 square miles (5.7 square kilometers), is water.
Just south of Fort Thompson, you'll find the Big Bend Dam. This dam holds back the water of the Missouri River, forming a large body of water called Lake Sharpe.
Understanding the Population of Fort Thompson
The number of people living in Fort Thompson has changed over the years. Here's how the population has been recorded by the U.S. Decennial Census:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1990 | 1,088 | — | |
| 2000 | 1,375 | 26.4% | |
| 2010 | 1,282 | −6.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,224 | −4.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In the year 2000, there were 1,375 people living in Fort Thompson. These people lived in 325 households, and 265 of these were families. Most of the people living in Fort Thompson are Native American. About 96% of the population identified as Native American in 2000.
Many households in Fort Thompson include children. In 2000, about 53% of households had children under 18 living there. The average household had about four people. The community has a young population, with many residents under the age of 18. The average age in Fort Thompson in 2000 was 20 years old.
Community Challenges in Fort Thompson
Like many communities, Fort Thompson faces certain challenges. Many families in the area experience financial difficulties. This can affect things like job opportunities and access to resources.
Housing can also be a challenge. Some homes may be crowded, with many people living together in one house. Transportation can also be difficult for some residents. Not everyone has a car, which means they might have to walk or bike long distances to get to work or to places where they can find services.
Despite these challenges, communities like Fort Thompson work to support their residents and improve living conditions.
See also
In Spanish: Fort Thompson (Dakota del Sur) para niños
