List of census-designated places in South Dakota facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about all the different kinds of places people live? In South Dakota, just like in other parts of the United States, some communities are not officially organized as cities or towns. These special places are called Census-Designated Places (CDPs). They are communities where people live, but they don't have their own elected mayor or city council. Even without official city governments, the U.S. Census Bureau counts the people living in these areas. South Dakota has 79 of these unique CDPs.
Understanding Census-Designated Places
A Census-Designated Place, or CDP, is a type of community that the United States Census Bureau identifies for statistical purposes. Think of it like this: when the government counts everyone in the country (this is called a census), they need to know where people live. While most people live in official cities or towns, many also live in areas that are not part of any city.
These areas are often rural or suburban. They don't have their own local government, like a city hall or a police department just for them. Instead, they are usually managed by the larger county government. The Census Bureau draws boundaries around these communities so they can collect information about their population, housing, and other important details. This helps everyone understand how many people live in different parts of the country, even in places without official city limits.
Why South Dakota Has Many CDPs
South Dakota is a state with many wide-open spaces and smaller communities. Because of this, there are many places where people live close together but haven't formed an official city. These communities might have a school, a few shops, or a post office, but they don't have the formal structure of a city government.
CDPs are important because they help us see where people are living and how communities are growing, even if they aren't traditional towns. This information is used for planning things like roads, schools, and other services that people need.
South Dakota's Largest CDPs
While South Dakota has 79 CDPs, some are much larger than others. The biggest CDP in the state is Rapid Valley, located in Pennington County. It has a population of over 8,000 people, making it quite a large community even without being an official city.
Other significant CDPs include Pine Ridge in Oglala Lakota County and Black Hawk in Meade County. These places show that many people choose to live in communities that are not formally incorporated as cities or towns.
