Pennington County, South Dakota

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Pennington County, South Dakota
Map of South Dakota highlighting Pennington County
Location in the U.S. state of South Dakota
Map of the United States highlighting South Dakota
South Dakota's location in the U.S.
Founded 1877
Named for John L. Pennington
Seat Rapid City
Largest city Rapid City
Area
 • Total 2,784 sq mi (7,211 km2)
 • Land 2,777 sq mi (7,192 km2)
 • Water 7.7 sq mi (20 km2), 0.3%
Population (est.)
 • (2014) 108,242
 • Density 36/sq mi (14/km²)
Congressional district At-large
Time zone Mountain: UTC-7/-6
Website www.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

File:WLA hmns Mesohippus baidi 2.jpg
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

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Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1880 2,244 —
1890 6,540 191.4%
1900 5,610 −14.2%
1910 12,453 122.0%
1920 12,720 2.1%
1930 20,079 57.9%
1940 23,799 18.5%
1950 34,053 43.1%
1960 58,195 70.9%
1970 59,349 2.0%
1980 70,361 18.6%
1990 81,343 15.6%
2000 88,565 8.9%
2010 100,948 14.0%
Est. 2014 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

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Townships

The county is divided into 20 townships:

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  • 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

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  4. ↑ "Pennington County, SD History". Pennington County official website. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
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External links

 Lawrence County Meade County Haakon County
Weston County, Wyoming
  Pennington County, South Dakota  
Custer County Oglala Lakota County Jackson County

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