South Dakota: government, population and official figures

South Dakota is a state of the United States, number 46 of 51 by population. South Dakota had an estimated 935,094 residents on 1 July 2025, 0.3% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 6th smallest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.86%, 12th fastest-growing of 51.

Who runs South Dakota?

The governor is Larry Rhoden. Governor's office. Phone: 1-605-773-3212. Address: 500 E. Capitol Ave. Pierre , SD 57501.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in South Dakota: The economy of South Dakota (gross domestic product) was worth $82.0 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.3% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 5th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 5.2% on 2024.
• Health in South Dakota: Life expectancy at birth in South Dakota was 77.3 years in 2022, 25th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in South Dakota: 82.1% of public high school students in South Dakota graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 9th lowest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in South Dakota: The Census Bureau estimates that 10.5% of people in South Dakota lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 94,450 people; 19th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in South Dakota: South Dakota's state government took in $6.8 billion in fiscal year 2024, $7,353 per resident, 6th lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in South Dakota

• South Dakota
• Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Department of Social Services
• Consumer Protection
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• The United States Attorney's Office - District of South Dakota
• Department of Education
• Division of Elections
• Emergency Management
• Department of Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in South Dakota

1. Sioux Falls 213,748 (2025)
2. Rapid City 80,589 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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