Interior, South Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Interior, South Dakota
makȟóšiča otȟúŋwahe
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Location in Jackson County and the state of South Dakota
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| Country | United States |
| State | South Dakota |
| County | Jackson |
| Incorporated | 1907 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.34 sq mi (3.48 km2) |
| • Land | 1.34 sq mi (3.47 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,382 ft (726 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 65 |
| • Density | 48.54/sq mi (18.75/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
57750
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| Area code(s) | 605 |
| FIPS code | 46-31620 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1267435 |
Interior is a small town in Jackson County, South Dakota, United States. It is very close to the famous Badlands National Park. In the Lakota language, its name is makȟóšiča otȟúŋwahe, which means "Badlands village." The town officially started in 1907 when a railroad line reached this spot. According to the 2020 census, 65 people live there.
Contents
History of Interior
Interior has an interesting past that began in the late 1800s.
Early Settlement and Name Change
In 1883, two brothers from Norway, George and Louis Johnson, moved to the area. They settled near the White River, just north of the Pine Ridge Reservation. They set up a "way-station," which was like a rest stop for people moving goods between Chamberlain, South Dakota and the Black Hills.
By 1886, a railroad connected the area to Gordon, Nebraska. In 1891, this way-station was first called Black, and Mary Johnson became its first postmaster. However, in 1893, George Johnson decided to change the name to "Interior." He felt the name "Black" didn't fit the White River that flowed around the town.
Moving the Town and New Developments
Between 1907 and 1908, the entire town of Interior was moved about two and a half miles northwest. This move was done so the town could be right next to the Milwaukee Railroad line. The original spot where the town used to be is now known as "old Interior."
The 1910s brought many improvements to the town:
- In 1910, a new water system was built. It brought fresh water directly from the White River to the town.
- In 1912, an electric grid was installed, bringing electricity to Interior.
With plenty of fresh water and a location right on the railroad line, close to the Badlands, local groups saw a great chance to attract visitors. In 1919, 1921, and 1922, Interior hosted big cowboy roundups. Tourists traveled by train from as far away as Minneapolis to watch these events. Cowboys from all over the country participated, and Native Americans also joined in, often wearing traditional clothing.
Geography and Location
Interior is located right next to the White River. It is also about one mile away from the famous Badlands National Park, making it a gateway to this unique natural area.
Area of the Town
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers a total area of about 1.35 square miles (3.50 km2). Most of this area, about 1.34 square miles (3.47 km2), is land. A very small part, 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2), is water.
Climate
| Climate data for Interior, South Dakota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1949–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F | 71 | 75 | 85 | 94 | 102 | 109 | 114 | 110 | 106 | 97 | 84 | 72 | 114 |
| Mean maximum °F | 58.2 | 62.9 | 75.4 | 83.5 | 90.6 | 97.5 | 102.6 | 102.2 | 99.1 | 87.4 | 71.7 | 60.3 | 104.4 |
| Mean daily maximum °F | 37.1 | 40.8 | 52.5 | 62.2 | 72.1 | 82.7 | 91.2 | 90.5 | 81.8 | 65.4 | 50.0 | 39.0 | 63.8 |
| Daily mean °F | 25.7 | 28.5 | 39.1 | 48.4 | 58.9 | 69.2 | 76.8 | 75.3 | 66.2 | 51.6 | 37.6 | 27.8 | 50.4 |
| Mean daily minimum °F | 14.2 | 16.2 | 25.8 | 34.7 | 45.7 | 55.7 | 62.3 | 60.2 | 50.5 | 37.8 | 25.2 | 16.6 | 37.1 |
| Mean minimum °F | −10.1 | −6.4 | 3.8 | 18.8 | 31.0 | 43.5 | 52.1 | 48.1 | 35.8 | 19.6 | 6.0 | −5.8 | −16.5 |
| Record low °F | −28 | −31 | −23 | 3 | 20 | 32 | 42 | 35 | 25 | 0 | −21 | −31 | −31 |
| Average precipitation inches | 0.46 | 0.55 | 1.16 | 2.26 | 3.62 | 3.46 | 2.23 | 1.81 | 1.39 | 1.59 | 0.53 | 0.54 | 19.60 |
| Average snowfall inches | 5.5 | 6.4 | 5.9 | 6.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 3.7 | 7.7 | 38.0 |
| Record high °C | 22 | 24 | 29 | 34 | 39 | 43 | 46 | 43 | 41 | 36 | 29 | 22 | 46 |
| Mean daily maximum °C | 2.8 | 4.9 | 11.4 | 16.8 | 22.3 | 28.2 | 32.9 | 32.5 | 27.7 | 18.6 | 10.0 | 3.9 | 17.7 |
| Daily mean °C | −3.5 | −1.9 | 3.9 | 9.1 | 14.9 | 20.7 | 24.9 | 24.1 | 19.0 | 10.9 | 3.1 | −2.3 | 10.2 |
| Mean daily minimum °C | −9.9 | −8.8 | −3.4 | 1.5 | 7.6 | 13.2 | 16.8 | 15.7 | 10.3 | 3.2 | −3.8 | −8.6 | 2.8 |
| Record low °C | −33 | −35 | −31 | −16 | −7 | 0 | 6 | 2 | −4 | −18 | −29 | −35 | −35 |
| Average precipitation mm | 12 | 14 | 29 | 57 | 92 | 88 | 57 | 46 | 35 | 40 | 13 | 14 | 498 |
| Average snowfall cm | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.8 | 9.4 | 20 | 97 |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 4.4 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 8.7 | 9.8 | 10.4 | 8.1 | 6.5 | 5.8 | 6.5 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 79.8 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 3.2 | 3.3 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 17.3 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
People of Interior
The number of people living in Interior has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 144 | — | |
| 1940 | 182 | 26.4% | |
| 1950 | 126 | −30.8% | |
| 1960 | 179 | 42.1% | |
| 1970 | 81 | −54.7% | |
| 1980 | 62 | −23.5% | |
| 1990 | 67 | 8.1% | |
| 2000 | 77 | 14.9% | |
| 2010 | 94 | 22.1% | |
| 2020 | 65 | −30.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Information
In 2010, there were 94 people living in Interior. These people made up 40 households, and 24 of these were families. The town had about 70 people per square mile. There were 55 homes in total.
Most of the people in Interior were White (70.2%). About 19.1% were Native American, and 10.6% were from two or more racial backgrounds.
Of the 40 households:
- 27.5% had children under 18 living with them.
- 45.0% were married couples living together.
- 12.5% had a female head of household with no husband.
- 2.5% had a male head of household with no wife.
- 40.0% were not families.
About 27.5% of all households had only one person living in them. 10% of households had someone aged 65 or older living alone. On average, each household had 2.35 people, and each family had 3.00 people.
The average age of people in Interior in 2010 was 41.5 years old.
- 24.5% of residents were under 18.
- 3.1% were between 18 and 24.
- 26.6% were between 25 and 44.
- 32.9% were between 45 and 64.
- 12.8% were 65 years old or older.
The town had slightly more females (53.2%) than males (46.8%).
See also
In Spanish: Interior (Dakota del Sur) para niños
