Pennington County, South Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pennington County
|
|
---|---|
Pennington County Courthouse in Rapid City
|
|
![]() Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota
|
|
![]() South Dakota's location within the U.S. |
|
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | 1875 (created) 1877 (organized) |
Named for | John L. Pennington |
Seat | Rapid City |
Largest city | Rapid City |
Area | |
• Total | 2,784 sq mi (7,210 km2) |
• Land | 2,777 sq mi (7,190 km2) |
• Water | 7.7 sq mi (20 km2) 0.3% |
Population
(2020)
|
|
• Total | 109,222 |
• Estimate
(2021)
|
111,806 ![]() |
• Density | 40/sq mi (20/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
Congressional district | At-large |
Pennington County is a county in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 109,222, making it the second-most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat is Rapid City. The county was created in 1875, and was organized in 1877. It is named for John L. Pennington, fifth Governor of Dakota Territory, who held office in 1875 when the county was formed.
Pennington County is included in the Rapid City, SD Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the location of Mount Rushmore.
Contents
Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,784 square miles (7,210 km2), of which 2,777 square miles (7,190 km2) is land and 7.7 square miles (20 km2) (0.3%) is water. It is the third-largest county in South Dakota by area. Mount Rushmore National Memorial lies in the county. Black Elk Peak, South Dakota's highest mountain, is located in the county. At 7,242 feet (2,208 m) it is the highest natural point between the Rocky Mountains and the French Alps. Part of Badlands National Park lies within the county. The park also extends into neighboring Oglala Lakota and Jackson counties.
Major highways
Interstate 90
U.S. Highway 14
U.S. Highway 16
U.S. Highway 16A
U.S. Highway 385
South Dakota Highway 40
South Dakota Highway 44
South Dakota Highway 240
South Dakota Highway 244
Adjacent counties
- Meade County, South Dakota – north
- Haakon County, South Dakota – northeast
- Jackson County, South Dakota – southeast
- Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota – south
- Custer County, South Dakota – southwest
- Weston County, Wyoming – west
- Lawrence County, South Dakota – northwest
National protected areas
- Badlands National Park (part)
- Black Hills National Forest (part)
- Buffalo Gap National Grassland (part)
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (part)
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1880 | 2,244 | — | |
1890 | 6,540 | 191.4% | |
1900 | 5,610 | −14.2% | |
1910 | 12,453 | 122.0% | |
1920 | 12,720 | 2.1% | |
1930 | 20,079 | 57.9% | |
1940 | 23,799 | 18.5% | |
1950 | 34,053 | 43.1% | |
1960 | 58,195 | 70.9% | |
1970 | 59,349 | 2.0% | |
1980 | 70,361 | 18.6% | |
1990 | 81,343 | 15.6% | |
2000 | 88,565 | 8.9% | |
2010 | 100,948 | 14.0% | |
2020 | 109,222 | 8.2% | |
2021 (est.) | 111,806 | 10.8% | |
US Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 100,948 people, 41,251 households, and 26,323 families in the county. The population density was 36.4 inhabitants per square mile (14.1/km2). There were 44,949 housing units at an average density of 16.2 per square mile (6.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.6% white, 9.7% American Indian, 1.0% black or African American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.8% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 38.0% were German, 14.3% were Irish, 11.0% were Norwegian, 10.2% were English, and 3.6% were American.
Of the 41,251 households, 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.2% were non-families, and 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 36.8 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $46,849 and the median income for a family was $57,278. Males had a median income of $38,626 versus $30,251 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,894. About 9.4% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Search and rescue
The Pennington County Search and Rescue (PCSAR) team is a volunteer search and rescue (SAR) team based in Rapid City, South Dakota. The team was established in October 1973, prompted by a 1972 flood in Rapid City. PCSAR trains for and performs vehicle extrication, vertical rescue, searches, communication support, Fire Department and dive team air supply support, trench rescue, mass casualty support, and emergency winter weather transportation.
Communities
Year | Republican | Democratic |
---|---|---|
2016 | 62.4% 29,804 | 29.5% 14,074 |
2012 | 63.5% 28,232 | 34.0% 15,125 |
2008 | 59.6% 27,603 | 38.5% 17,802 |
2004 | 66.7% 29,976 | 31.6% 14,213 |
2000 | 67.6% 24,696 | 30.4% 11,123 |
1996 | 54.3% 19,293 | 36.0% 12,784 |
1992 | 47.9% 18,052 | 29.5% 11,106 |
1988 | 61.4% 19,510 | 38.0% 12,068 |
1984 | 72.2% 21,947 | 27.1% 8,224 |
1980 | 67.3% 18,991 | 25.2% 7,121 |
1976 | 56.3% 13,352 | 42.4% 10,058 |
1972 | 61.2% 13,654 | 38.5% 8,592 |
1968 | 53.3% 9,671 | 40.2% 7,303 |
1964 | 47.5% 8,926 | 52.5% 9,881 |
1960 | 60.3% 11,364 | 39.7% 7,478 |
Cities
- Box Elder
- Hill City
- New Underwood
- Rapid City (county seat)
Towns
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated communities
- Ajax
- Creighton
- Ellsworth AFB
- Owanka
- Rochford
- Rockerville
- Scenic
- Silver City
- Three Forks
- Wicksville
Ghost towns
Townships
The county is divided into 20 townships:
- Ash
- Castle Butte
- Cedar Butte
- Conata
- Crooked Creed
- Fairview
- Flat Butte
- Huron
- Imlay
- Lake Creek
- Lake Flat
- Lake Hill
- Owanka
- Peno
- Quinn
- Rainy Creek/Cheyenne
- Scenic
- Shyne
- Sunnyside
- Wasta
Unorganized territories
The county contains seven areas of unorganized territory:
- Central Pennington
- Dalzell Canyon
- East Central Pennington
- Mount Rushmore
- Northeast Pennington
- Rapid City East
- West Pennington
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Pennington (Dakota del Sur) para niños