Map of South Dakota

The state of South Dakota is located in the North Central region of the United States. South Dakota is bordered by North Dakota to the north, Minnesota to the east, Iowa to the southeast, Nebraska to the south, Wyoming to the west, and Montana to the northwest.

About the map:

This map of South Dakota State shows the state borders, states, state capital, county borders, counties, county seats and important cities.

County seats are indicated by a red circle, white circles indicate cities, and the capital of South Dakota is indicated by a star in the red circle. The larger the city in terms of population, the larger the circle on the map and the larger the font of the city name.

---

Google Map
Bing Maps
USGS National Map
OpenStreetMap
South Dakota Official State Map - PDF

Key Facts:

The Great Seal of the State of South Dakota	Flag of South Dakota
Capital:	Pierre
Largest city:	Sioux Falls
Largest metropolitan area:	Sioux Falls
Largest county by population:	Minnehaha County
Largest county by area:	Meade County
Area:	77,116 sq mi (199,729 km2)
Population (2024):	924,669[1]
Density:	11.5/sq mi (4.44/km2)
Dimensions:	Length 380 mi (610 km) Width 210 mi (340 km)
Latitude:	42°29′ N to 45°56′ N
Longitude:	96°26′ W to 104°03′ W
Elevation:	Highest elevation (Black Elk Peak) - 7,244 ft (2,208 m) Lowest elevation (Big Stone Lake) - 968 ft (295 m)
Official language:	English, Sioux
Religion (2022):[2]	72% - Christianity 3% - New Age 3% - Buddhism 21% - Unaffiliated 1% - other religions
Racial/ethnic groups (2024):[1]	80.5% White 8.5% Native American or Alaska Native 5.1% Hispanic or Latino 2.6% Black or African American 2.8% Two or more races 1.8% Asian 0.1% Pacific Islander
Median household income (2023):	$72,421[1]
USPS abbreviation:	SD
ISO 3166 code:	US-SD
Time zone:	Eastern half: UTC−06:00 (Central) Summer (DST) UTC−05:00 (CDT) Western half: UTC−07:00 (Mountain) Summer (DST) UTC−06:00 (MDT)
The Official Website of the State of South Dakota:	www.sd.gov

About the State of South Dakota

South Dakota is a U.S. state located in the North Central region of the United States. It ranks 17th in area among U.S. states, covering 77,116 square miles (199,729 km²). South Dakota borders North Dakota to the north, Minnesota and Iowa to the east, Nebraska to the south, and Wyoming and Montana to the west. The state has a population of 924,669 (2024), making it the 5th least populous state in the nation.

Where is the state of South Dakota in the United States of America?

Pierre serves as the state capital, while Sioux Falls functions as the largest city with a population of 209,289 (2024 estimate). Other significant urban centers include Rapid City (78,863), Aberdeen (28,495), and Brookings (24,794). The Missouri River divides South Dakota into two distinct regions known locally as "East River" and "West River."

The economy of South Dakota relies primarily on agriculture, tourism, and defense spending. Agricultural products include cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat, and hogs. The state contains significant natural resources, particularly gold, and produces ethanol, wind energy, and hydroelectric power. South Dakota maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the United States and does not levy a state income tax.

Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City constitutes a major economic contributor, housing B-1 bombers and employing thousands of military and civilian personnel. Financial services also play a substantial role in the state's economy, with Citibank establishing its credit card operations in Sioux Falls following favorable banking regulation changes in the 1980s.

Tourism generates approximately $2 billion in annual economic activity. The state attracts visitors to numerous attractions, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which features 60-foot granite sculptures of four U.S. presidents. Other significant destinations include Badlands National Park, known for its eroded buttes and pinnacles, Wind Cave National Park, which contains one of the world's longest cave systems, and Custer State Park, home to one of North America's largest publicly owned bison herds.

The Black Hills region in western South Dakota draws numerous tourists with its combination of natural beauty and attractions such as Deadwood, a historic gold mining town. The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state each August.

Native American reservations occupy significant portions of South Dakota, including Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock. These sovereign territories maintain their own governments while existing within state boundaries.

Brief History

South Dakota entered the Union as the 40th state on November 2, 1889, simultaneously with North Dakota. The region's history extends thousands of years before European contact, with indigenous nations including the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota establishing complex societies throughout the area. Archaeological evidence indicates human habitation dates back approximately 11,500 years.

European exploration began when French fur traders arrived in the early 18th century. The United States acquired the territory through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, and the Lewis and Clark expedition traversed the region in 1804-1806, documenting its geography and native populations. American settlement increased slowly following these explorations.

The U.S. government established Dakota Territory in 1861, encompassing present-day North and South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. White settlement accelerated after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874, precipitating conflicts with indigenous nations who held these lands sacred. The Great Sioux War culminated in the U.S. Army's defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.

Railroads transformed the territory in the 1880s, bringing thousands of European immigrants who established farms and ranches across the eastern plains. Agricultural development coincided with the systematic displacement of Native Americans onto reservations. The tragic Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 marked a devastating chapter in this history.

Early statehood featured agricultural expansion, though farmers faced economic hardship through cycles of drought and depression. The 1930s Dust Bowl devastated many communities. Federal water projects, including Missouri River dams constructed in the mid-20th century, brought irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power.

South Dakota's economy evolved throughout the 20th century, gradually diversifying beyond agriculture. Tourism emerged as a significant industry, centered around the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore (completed in 1941), and Badlands National Park. Today, South Dakota combines agricultural tradition with sectors including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing while addressing ongoing reconciliation with its indigenous nations.

Major cities in South Dakota

• Sioux Falls
• Rapid City
• Aberdeen
• Brookings
• Watertown

• Yankton
• Mitchell
• Huron
• Box Elder
• Spearfish

• Pierre
• Vermillion
• Brandon
• Harrisburg
• Tea

• Sturgis
• Madison
• Belle Fourche
• Dell Rapids
• Hot Springs

Counties in South Dakota

There are 66 counties in the U.S. state of South Dakota.

List of counties in South Dakota

South Dakota County Map

Geography of South Dakota

South Dakota occupies 77,116 square miles in the North-Central United States, ranking 17th in size among all states. The Missouri River bisects the state diagonally from northwest to southeast, creating two distinct physiographic regions. The western portion belongs to the Great Plains, while the eastern section forms part of the Central Lowlands.

The Black Hills dominate southwestern South Dakota, rising abruptly from the surrounding plains. Harney Peak, reaching 7,242 feet, marks the state's highest elevation. This isolated mountain range contains valuable mineral deposits, dense forests, and distinctive geological formations like the granite spires of the Needles and the limestone caverns of Wind Cave National Park. East of the Black Hills, the Badlands present a stark landscape of eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires carved from ancient sedimentary deposits.

South Dakota's hydrography centers on the Missouri River system. Major tributaries include the Grand, Moreau, Cheyenne, Bad, White, and James rivers. The eastern region contains numerous glacial lakes, with Big Stone Lake and Lake Traverse forming part of the state's northeastern boundary.

The state experiences a continental climate with extreme seasonal temperature variations. Winters bring bitter cold, with January temperatures averaging 10°F in the north and 22°F in the south. Summers feature hot conditions, particularly in the central and southern regions, where July averages exceed 85°F. Annual precipitation ranges from 25 inches in the southeast to less than 15 inches in the northwest, with most rainfall occurring during the growing season. The climate supports shortgrass prairie in the west and tallgrass prairie in the east, though much native vegetation has yielded to agricultural development.

South Dakota's geographical position exposes it to frequent weather extremes. The state records approximately 30 tornadoes annually, primarily in the eastern counties. Blizzards, drought cycles, and severe thunderstorms characterize the regional climate patterns. These environmental conditions have significantly influenced settlement patterns, economic development, and cultural adaptations throughout the state's history.

Below you will find a list of the largest lakes, the longest rivers, and the highest mountains in South Dakota.

Major Rivers in South Dakota

Major Lakes in South Dakota

The Highest Mountains in South Dakota

---

Page Navigation

---

References

1. ^ Quick Facts South Dakota. U.S. Census Bureau.
2. ^ "American Values Atlas: Religious Tradition in South Dakota". Public Religion Research Institute.