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Gann Valley, South Dakota facts for kids

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Gann Valley
Gann Valley is located in South Dakota
Gann Valley
Gann Valley
Location in South Dakota
Gann Valley is located in the United States
Gann Valley
Gann Valley
Location in the United States
Country United States
State South Dakota
County Buffalo
Founded 1885
Area
 • Total 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2)
 • Land 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,716 ft (523 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 10
 • Density 126.58/sq mi (48.68/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
57341
Area code(s) 605
FIPS code 46-23421
GNIS feature ID 2584554
Website http://www.gannvalley.com/

Gann Valley is a very small community in South Dakota, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community, which means it does not have its own local government like a city or town. However, it is special because it is the county seat of Buffalo County. This means it is where the main government offices for the county are located.

In 2020, only 10 people lived in Gann Valley. This makes it the smallest county seat in the entire United States that is not officially incorporated as a town or city.

History of Gann Valley

Founding and Early Days

Gann Valley was started in 1885 by a person named Herst Gann. He founded the community in a valley near Crow Creek. This area is just east of the Crow Creek Reservation.

Herst Gann was very important to the community. He donated the building that would become the courthouse. Another person, A.L. Spencer, gave 30 acres of land. Because of these donations, Gann Valley became the county seat.

Moving the County Seat

The county seat did not stay in Gann Valley forever. In 1886, it was moved to a place called Buffalo Center. But two years later, in 1888, the county seat was moved back to Gann Valley. It has been there ever since.

Interesting Facts About Gann Valley

Gann Valley is also famous for a few other things. It is where the exact center of population of South Dakota is located. This means if you imagine all the people in South Dakota standing on a map, the balancing point would be in Gann Valley.

The community also holds a record for the weather. Gann Valley has had the highest temperature ever recorded in South Dakota. It reached a scorching 120 degrees Fahrenheit!

Climate in Gann Valley

Understanding the Weather

The weather in Gann Valley changes a lot throughout the year. This type of weather is called a humid continental climate. It means there are big differences between the seasons.

Seasonal Temperatures

Summers in Gann Valley are usually warm to hot. They can also be quite humid, meaning the air feels sticky. Winters, on the other hand, are very cold. Sometimes they can be extremely cold. This is typical for places with a humid continental climate.

Population of Gann Valley

How Many People Live Here?

The number of people living in Gann Valley has changed over time. The United States Census counts how many people live in different areas every ten years.

Historical population
Census Pop.
2010 14
2020 10 −28.6%
2021 (est.) 12 −14.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2010, there were 14 people living in Gann Valley. By 2020, the population had decreased to 10 people. This shows that it is a very small and quiet community.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gann Valley para niños

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