Founded in 1880 on theMissouri River, the city was selected to be the state capital when South Dakota was admitted as a state in 1889. Near the center of the state, the then-new settlement was across the river from the settlement ofFort Pierre, and near what became an important railroad crossing of the River.
Pierre was founded in 1880 on the east bank of theMissouri River oppositeFort Pierre, a former trading post that developed as a community. It was designated as the state capital when South Dakota gainedstatehood on November 2, 1889.
Pierre's development was also influenced by construction of theRapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad, which runs east–west through the city. It increased access to markets for regional products and improved transportation for passengers. The railroad crosses the Missouri River on theChicago and North Western Railroad Bridge.
The capital city became relatively isolated in the post-World War II era of federally subsidized highway construction, as travelers and freight companies began to use automobiles and trucking. It is one of four state capitals not served by theInterstate Highway System.[8]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 13.07 square miles (33.85 km2), of which 13.06 square miles (33.83 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[9]
Pierre is sited on rough river bluffs above the east bank of theMissouri River, overlooking its expanse. It is a few miles away fromLake Oahe, one of the world's largest man-made lakes. Developed for flood control and irrigation, the lake has become a popular fishing destination.
Pierre has a relatively dry, four-season,humid continental climate (Köppen:Dfa,Trewartha:Dcao),[10] with long, dry, cold winters, hot summers, and brief spring and autumnal transitions; like much of the southern half of the state, it lies inUSDA Plant Hardiness zone 5.[11] According to weather maps and their data, Pierre can be considered acool semi-arid climate (Köppen:BSk) aided by its precipitation near the threshold[12] that reaches even northeast of the city inSouth Dakota. As such, it is the only capital of theMidwest states with a non-humid climate.[13][14] The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 19.1 °F (−7.2 °C) in January to 74.9 °F (23.8 °C), though thediurnal temperature variation is significantly greater during summer than in winter.[15] Snow primarily falls in light amounts, with the snowiest months being February and March, while the average seasonal total is 37.2 inches (0.94 m).[15] In addition, there are an average 20.9 nights per year with lows below 0 °F (−17.8 °C),[15] and cold conditions are often intensified by theGreat Plains' high winds. Summers often see spikes in temperature, with 6.6 days of highs above 100 °F (37.8 °C) and 37–38 days with highs above 90 °F (32.2 °C).[15]
Climate chart for Pierre
On July 23, 1973, an F3 tornado struck Pierre and caused 10 injuries.[16] It was the strongest tornado ever recorded in Hughes County.[17]
The beginnings of May and October see the last and first freezing nights, respectively, of the cooler season.[18] Precipitation is much lighter in the winter than in late spring and summer, and totals about 20 inches (508 mm) annually.[15] Extremes have ranged from −35 °F (−37 °C) on February 9, 1994, to 117 °F (47 °C) on July 15, 2006.[18]
Climate data for Pierre, South Dakota (Pierre Regional Airport), 1991−2010 normals, extremes 1933–present
As of thecensus[21] of 2010, there were 13,646 people, 5,778 households, and 3,463 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,044.9 inhabitants per square mile (403.4/km2). There were 6,159 housing units at an average density of 471.6 per square mile (182.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.1%White, 0.5%African American, 10.9%Native American, 0.6%Asian, 0.5% fromother races, and 2.4% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people of any race were 1.9% of the population.
There were 5,778 households, of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% weremarried couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.87.
The median age in the city was 39.3 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 13,876 people, 5,567 households, and 3,574 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,065.8 people per square mile (411.5 people/km2). There were 5,949 housing units at an average density of 457.0 per square mile (176.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.91%White, 0.20%African American, 8.56%Native American, 0.46%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.29% fromother races, and 1.56% from two or more races.Hispanics orLatinos of any race were 1.25% of the population.
There were 5,567 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% weremarried couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35, and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $42,962, and the median income for a family was $52,144. Males had a median income of $32,969 versus $22,865 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $20,462. About 5.5% of families and 7.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
TheCapital Journal is the local newspaper and has been in circulation since 1881. OaheTV is the local public/education/government cable channel serving Pierre, Fort Pierre on Midcontinent Communications Cable.
In 2015, in honor of the 80th anniversary of the "Monopoly" board game,Hasbro held an online vote to determine which cities should be included in an updated version of the "Here and Now: The US Edition" of the game. The top "Boardwalk" spot went to an unexpected contender: Pierre. It received the most votes, beating New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.[27][28] The outcome may have been influenced by the image that accompanied the name of the city in the balloting: the well-knownMount Rushmore, which is 150 miles west of Pierre, inKeystone and the Black Hills section of the state.[29]
^abcdef"Station: Pierre RGNL AP, SD".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived fromthe original on July 3, 2023. RetrievedOctober 13, 2021.
.jpg)
.jpg)
_-_PIERRE_REGIONAL_AP%2cSD.svg)
