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Pennington County, South Dakota

Coordinates: 44°01′N 102°49′W / 44.01°N 102.82°W / 44.01; -102.82
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Pennington County
County
Map of South Dakota highlighting Pennington County
Location within the U.S. state of South Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting South Dakota
South Dakota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°01′N 102°49′W / 44.01°N 102.82°W / 44.01; -102.82
Country United States
State South Dakota
Founded1877
Named forJohn L. Pennington
SeatRapid City
Largest cityRapid City
Area
 • Total2,784 sq mi (7,210 km2)
 • Land2,777 sq mi (7,190 km2)
 • Water7.7 sq mi (20 km2)  0.3%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2014)
108,242
 • Density36/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.co.pennington.sd.us

Pennington County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 100,948,[1] making it the second-most populous county in South Dakota. Its county seat is Rapid City.[2] The county was created in 1875 and organized in 1877.[3] It is named for John L. Pennington, fifth Governor of Dakota Territory, who held office in 1875 when the county was formed.[4]

Pennington County is included in the Rapid City, SD Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the location of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Geography

Extinct Mesohippus horse, found in Pennington County, on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

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.[5] It is the third-largest county in South Dakota by area. Mount Rushmore National Memorial lies in the county. Harney 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

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18802,244—
18906,540191.4%
19005,610−14.2%
191012,453122.0%
192012,7202.1%
193020,07957.9%
194023,79918.5%
195034,05343.1%
196058,19570.9%
197059,3492.0%
198070,36118.6%
199081,34315.6%
200088,5658.9%
2010100,94814.0%
2014 (est.)108,242[6]7.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2014[1]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 88,565 people, 34,641 households, and 23,278 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 37,249 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.70% White, 0.85% Black or African American, 8.09% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.68%% from other races, and 2.74% from two or more races. 2.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 34,641 households out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.30% were married couples living together, 11.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.80% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 10.50% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,485, and the median income for a family was $44,796. Males had a median income of $30,608 versus $21,540 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,938. About 8.60% of families and 11.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 6.50% 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

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

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

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ "Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies". Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2006. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  4. ^ "Pennington County, SD History". Pennington County official website. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.

44°01′N 102°49′W / 44.01°N 102.82°W / 44.01; -102.82

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