| Pennington County, South Dakota | |
Location in the state of South Dakota |
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South Dakota's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1875 |
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| Named for | John L. Pennington |
| Seat | Rapid City |
| Largest city | Rapid City |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
2,784 sq mi (7,211 km²) 2,776 sq mi (7,190 km²) 8 sq mi (21 km²), 0.29 %% |
| Population - (2010) - Density |
100,948 36.22/sq mi (13.98/km²) |
| Time zone | Mountain: UTC-7/-6 |
| Website | www.co.pennington.sd.us |
Pennington County is a county located in the US state of South Dakota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 100,948. Its county seat is at Rapid City.[1] Pennington County is the primary county for the Rapid City, South Dakota, Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the location of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial
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According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,784 square miles (7,211 km²), of which 2,776 square miles (7,190 km²) is land and 8 square miles (21 km²) (0.29 %%) is water. 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 Shannon and Jackson counties.
The county is divided into twenty 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, and Wasta; and seven areas of unorganized territory: Central Pennington, Dalzell Canyon, East Central Pennington, Mount Rushmore, Northeast Pennington, Rapid City East, and West Pennington.
The county was named for John L. Pennington, fifth Governor of Dakota Territory, who held office in 1875 when the county was formed. [2]
| Historical populations | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 2,244 |
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| 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% | |
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As of the census[3] 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.
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.
| Lawrence County | Meade County | Haakon County | ||
| Weston County, Wyoming | ||||
| Pennington County, South Dakota | ||||
| Custer County | Shannon County | Jackson County |
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