Sturgis, South Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sturgis
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| Sturgis, South Dakota | |
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A view of Sturgis
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Location in Meade County and the state of South Dakota
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| Country | United States |
| State | South Dakota |
| County | Meade |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Incorporated | 1888 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.99 sq mi (10.33 km2) |
| • Land | 3.99 sq mi (10.33 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,422 ft (1,043 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 6,627 |
| • Estimate
(2015)
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6,688 |
| • Density | 1,660.9/sq mi (641.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
57785
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| Area code(s) | 605 |
| FIPS code | 46-62100 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1265387 |
| Website | City of Sturgis |
Sturgis is a city in Meade County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 6,627 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Meade County and is named after Union General Samuel D. Sturgis.
Sturgis is notable as the location of one of the largest annual motorcycle events in the world, which is held annually on the second full week of August. Motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world flock to this town during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Sturgis is also noted for hosting the 1996 edition of WCW Hog Wild.
History
Sturgis was founded in 1878. It was originally named Scooptown, because many of the residents "scooped up" their pay from nearby Fort Meade. Its name was later changed to Sturgis in honor of the Civil War Union General Samuel D. Sturgis. In 1889, Sturgis was designated as the county seat of the newly formed Meade County.
As part of the vast Ellsworth Air Force Base complex, the land north of Sturgis was dotted with 50 Minuteman missile silos. The L5 is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from the center of the town.
Towards the end of the 2016 Summer, the Full Throttle Bar one of the largest and well known bars in Sturgis Burned down.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.99 square miles (10.33 km2), all land.
Climate
| Climate data for Sturgis, South Dakota | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 72 (22.2) |
75 (23.9) |
82 (27.8) |
90 (32.2) |
100 (37.8) |
106 (41.1) |
109 (42.8) |
107 (41.7) |
104 (40) |
93 (33.9) |
83 (28.3) |
74 (23.3) |
109 (42.8) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 38 (3.3) |
41 (5) |
48 (8.9) |
59 (15) |
68 (20) |
78 (25.6) |
87 (30.6) |
86 (30) |
76 (24.4) |
62 (16.7) |
47 (8.3) |
38 (3.3) |
60.7 (15.93) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 16 (-8.9) |
17 (-8.3) |
24 (-4.4) |
34 (1.1) |
44 (6.7) |
53 (11.7) |
60 (15.6) |
58 (14.4) |
48 (8.9) |
36 (2.2) |
25 (-3.9) |
16 (-8.9) |
35.9 (2.18) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −27 (-32.8) |
−26 (-32.2) |
−20 (-28.9) |
0 (-17.8) |
16 (-8.9) |
31 (-0.6) |
39 (3.9) |
39 (3.9) |
20 (-6.7) |
−1 (-18.3) |
−20 (-28.9) |
−30 (-34.4) |
−30 (-34.4) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) | 0.45 (11.4) |
0.70 (17.8) |
1.49 (37.8) |
2.55 (64.8) |
4.12 (104.6) |
3.31 (84.1) |
2.23 (56.6) |
1.54 (39.1) |
1.43 (36.3) |
1.82 (46.2) |
0.98 (24.9) |
0.54 (13.7) |
21.16 (537.5) |
| Source: The Weather Channel (Historical Monthly Averages) | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 60 | — | |
| 1890 | 668 | 1,013.3% | |
| 1900 | 1,100 | 64.7% | |
| 1910 | 1,739 | 58.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,250 | −28.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,747 | 39.8% | |
| 1940 | 3,008 | 72.2% | |
| 1950 | 3,471 | 15.4% | |
| 1960 | 4,639 | 33.7% | |
| 1970 | 4,536 | −2.2% | |
| 1980 | 5,184 | 14.3% | |
| 1990 | 5,330 | 2.8% | |
| 2000 | 6,442 | 20.9% | |
| 2010 | 6,627 | 2.9% | |
| Est. 2015 | 6,688 | 0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2015 Estimate |
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2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,627 people, 2,916 households, and 1,687 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,660.9 inhabitants per square mile (641.3/km2). There were 3,154 housing units at an average density of 790.5 per square mile (305.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% White, 0.2% African American, 2.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.
There were 2,916 households of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.1% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.89.
The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 18.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,442 people, 2,738 households, and 1,708 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,723.6 people per square mile (665.0/km²). There were 2,989 housing units at an average density of 799.7 per square mile (308.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.80% White, 0.20% African American, 2.48% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.75% of the population.
There were 2,738 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city, the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $30,253, and the median income for a family was $38,698. Males had a median income of $25,856 versus $18,582 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,763. About 11.0% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
Points of interest
- Bear Butte State Park
- Fort Meade
- Fort Meade Cavalry Museum
- Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame
- Black Hills National Cemetery
- Fort Meade National Cemetery
- South Dakota Centennial Trail
- Wonderland Cave
- Loud American Roadhouse
- Fort Meade Recreation Area and National Back Country Byway
- Public Sculptures:
- Kinship at the Sturgis Community Center
- General Samuel D. Sturgis at the Hills and Plains Park at the east entrance to town
- Jesus in the Garden at the First United Methodist Church Memorial Garden
- St. Francis of Assisi at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
- STURGIS spelled out in letters
