The biggest cities in South Dakota have a diverse population with just over 853,000 people residing in the Mount Rushmore State. Although South Dakota is ranked 46th in terms of population size, with a land mass of nearly 78,000 square miles it ranks 17th for size among the 50 states.
Here are the four biggest cities in South Dakota:
1. Sioux Falls is considered to be the "heart of America," bordering Iowa and Minnesota. It is the largest city in South Dakota with nearly 165,000 people living there. The city name is derived from the Sioux Tribe of American Indians. On average the city grows by 10,000 people each decade.
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2. Rapid City is almost half the population of Sioux Falls with 69,854 residents recorded as living in the area in 2012.
This city sees an abundance of tourism each year due to its historical landmarks such as Mount Rushmore and Badland National Park. According to the Mayors Report, the city is considered a favorable place to live for senior citizens because of a low tax rate burden, high volunteerism and low unemployment.
3. Aberdeen is considered one of the safest places to live in the Mount Rushmore State. The Census Bureau reports approximately 27,000 people reside there, with the majority of the population being female. The city itself is only 15 square miles.
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4. Brookings is another South Dakota city that continues to experience a growth in population annually. Since 2000 the population has grown 22 percent to 22,591 residents, making it the fourth largest city in South Dakota.
Brookings was ranked fifth in
Livability's Top Ten Best Small Towns for 2013. Factors taken into account were its diverse economy, low unemployment rate and many business opportunities.
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