At the other extreme is the northeast part of the state. The first inhabitants were Paleoindian hunter-gatherers, and disappeared from the area around 5000 BC. The five-day event drew over 739,000 attendees in 2015; significant considering the state has a total population of 850,000. "America's Top States for Business 2010". [98] A 1995 study by the U.S. Census Bureau found 58% of homes on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation did not have a telephone. [113], The service industry is the largest economic contributor in South Dakota. Since statehood, Republicans have carried the state's electoral votes in all but five presidential elections: 1896, 1912 (by Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive Party), 1932, 1936 and 1964. The South Dakota Board of Regents, whose members are appointed by the governor, controls the six public universities in the state. Check temperature, rainfall & sunshine averages & more in November 2021 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota - USA The southwestern part of the state, from the southern Black Hills, around Custer and Angostura along the east side of the Hills thru Rapid City. [57], In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory, an area that included most of South Dakota, from Napoleon Bonaparte, and President Thomas Jefferson organized a group commonly referred to as the "Lewis and Clark Expedition" to explore the region. South Dakota has the nation's largest population of Hutterites,[94] a communal Anabaptist group which emigrated in 1874 from Europe, primarily from German-speaking areas. The five most valuable agricultural products in South Dakota are cattle, corn (maize), soybeans, wheat, and hogs. The weather in South Dakota is more than agreeable for most of the year which is a major plus point for many people. [1], Black Elk Peak, formerly named Harney Peak, with an elevation of 7,242 ft (2,207 m), is the state's highest point, while the shoreline of Big Stone Lake is the lowest, with an elevation of 966 ft (294 m). [74], During the 1930s, several economic and climatic conditions combined with disastrous results for South Dakota. In 2016, South Dakota voted for Republican nominee Donald Trump over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by a margin of 30%. [79] Government spending is another important segment of the state's economy, providing over ten percent of the gross state product. [86] As of the 2000 census, South Dakota ranked fifth-lowest in the nation in population and population density. Weather near other cities along I-90 South Dakota [147] Other prominent South Dakota Democrats include former presidential nominees George McGovern and Hubert Humphrey. (Among several editions, a premier annotated edition was published in 2008. [65], In 1874, gold was discovered in the Black Hills during a military expedition led by George A. Custer[66][67] and miners and explorers began illegally entering land promised to the Lakota. It is either the 3… These are the latest weather conditions reported from Lyman, SD (in the middle of I-90 South Dakota). It is a working paleontological dig and has one of the world's largest concentrations of mammoth remains. Rail transportation in the state is mostly freight, but there are two passenger heritage railroads: the Black Hills Central and the Prairie Village, Herman, and Milwaukee. Because of its low population, South Dakota does not host any major league professional sports franchises. [87], The center of population of South Dakota is in Buffalo County, in the unincorporated county seat of Gann Valley.[88]. Weather Atlas: South Dakota, USA - Climate data and average monthly weather. [114], Agriculture has historically been a key component of the South Dakota economy. [206], Fishing and hunting are popular outdoor activities in South Dakota. Nature lovers and weekend explorers would easily fall in love with South Dakota. [122] Other state carriers include Dakota Southern Railway, Dakota and Iowa Railroad, Ellis and Eastern Railroad, Sunflour Railroad, Canadian Pacific Railway, and the Sisseton Milbank Railroad. [202][203] Hammon, of Rapid City, played for the WNBA's New York Liberty and San Antonio Silver Stars before becoming an assistant coach for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs in 2014. [169] Video. [127][128] The governor serves for a four-year term, and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. The seven large Indian reservations in the state occupy an area much diminished from their former Great Sioux Reservation of West River, which the federal government had once allocated to the Sioux tribes. In western South Dakota, snow showers are a possibility – the ski town of Lead averages 66 inches of snow in March and April – but the average … Many of his works are on display at the Redlin Art Center in Watertown.[167]. Weather Atlas: South Dakota, USA - Climate data and average monthly weather. [97] The unemployment rate in Fort Thompson, on the Crow Creek Reservation, is 70%, and 21% of households lack plumbing or basic kitchen appliances. [131] Below the supreme court are the circuit courts; 41 circuit judges serve in seven judicial circuits in the state. The state's ecology features species typical of a North American grassland biome. [17][22] Formations from the Paleozoic Era form the outer ring of the Black Hills;[23] these were created between roughly 540 and 250 million years ago. Average temperatures and precipitation amounts for more than 124 cities in South Dakota. At times the Black Hills are combined with the rest of western South Dakota, and people often refer to the resulting two regions divided by the Missouri River as West River and East River. [86], The largest denominations by number of adherents in 2010 were the Roman Catholic Church with 148,883 members; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with 112,649 members; and the United Methodist Church (UMC) with 36,020 members. For many years, South Dakota was one of the only states in the country without an NCAA Division I football or basketball team. [132] The state does not levy personal or corporate income taxes,[133] inheritance taxes,[134] or taxes on intangible personal property. Monthly weather forecast and climate for South Dakota. Historically dominated by an agricultural economy and a rural lifestyle, South Dakota has recently sought to diversify its economy in areas to attract and retain residents. Senate Seat to Thune", "Election Results:President, Congress, ballot measures", "South Dakota SB55 | 2019 | Regular Session", "South Dakota Law Requires Every Public School to Display "In God We Trust" National Motto", "Days of '76 Celebration to include Saturday evening performance", American Writers: A Journey Through History, "Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area population and estimated components of change: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2009", "US Newspaper—Search Results (South Dakota)", "U.S. Television Stations in South Dakota", "Nielson Media Research Local Universe Estimates (US)", "Number of Schools (most recent) (per capita)", "ACT Average Composite Score South Dakota vs. National", "Montana Schools Try to Keep Indian Students Engaged by Teaching Indian Culture to All", "SDSU approved for Division I membership", "South Dakota leaves North Central Conference for D-I", "Mark Ellis retires from baseball at age 37", "New exhibit details Rapid City native Adam Vinatieri's kick", "How many people hunt and fish in South Dakota? 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