Discover the Largest City in South Dakota Now and in 2050

South Dakota is a state near Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota. As the 16^th-largest state, it has 882,000 citizens, growing substantially since it entered the Union on November 2, 1889. It was the 39^th state to be added to the United States.

South Dakota is known for many monuments, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial. With many parks and trails to trek, the most popular areas are the Black Hills, the Missouri River, and Badlands National Park. With 63 state parks, tourists come to enjoy the abundant fishing and hunting. Let’s take a look at South Dakota’s largest city and the expansion that will happen over the next 30 years.

What Is The Largest City in South Dakota?

Sioux Falls is the largest city in South Dakota. According to the World Population Review, it has a population of 203,287 in 2023. It is the 131st-most populated city in the entire United States. According to Reader’s Digest, it is the most affordable city in 2023, and it is the second-best place to live if you make less than $65,000 per year.

Along with its ranking as South Dakota’s largest city, it is one of the fastest-growing areas in South Dakota. It is the 29th-fastest-growing city in the country.

Sioux Falls Statistics and Economics

The most common job in Sioux Falls is a registered nurse, accounting for over 14,000 jobs. Local retail and fast food jobs are the second and third most popular careers, followed by cashiers. The most lucrative job is as a Chief Executive, which includes less than 1% of all employees. Employees in Sioux Falls have an average salary of $60,356 per year.

Hospitality has the biggest economic impact on the city, accommodating tourists and locals with lodging and restaurants. The median income of a household is $66,761 annually, and the average cost of a home is $339,900.

What Attracts People To Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls is the largest city in North Carolina, with 192,517 people living there as of the 2020 census. As of 2023, the local population has grown to 203,287 citizens. In the United States, it will be the 117th most populated city in 2023, falling below Worcester (MA) and Yonkers (NY). Along with being North Dakota’s current largest city, many people stay for the family-friendly activities, waterfalls, and history.

One of the most popular parks in the state is Falls Park. This park stretches 128 acres across the center of the city with a 100-foot drop to the bottom. It is north of the Big Sioux River, which offers archery, disc golf, and horseback riding as recreational activities. If a historical tour suits you better, a tour of the Old Courthouse Museum or the State Theater downtown might be in order.

South Dakota doesn’t have any major league professional teams that call it home. However, there is a team with the American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) – the Sioux Falls Canaries.

What Will Be The Largest City In South Dakota?

Sioux Falls is easily on the road to becoming one of the largest cities in 2050. Many news stations even reported that the US Census would name Sioux Falls as the fastest-growing city in South Dakota in the coming decades. Projecting at least 50% growth in the city, SmartAsset released a list of cities in 2022 that they expected to experience substantial growth. They supported Sioux Falls in its growth, showing that the state had 11% growth in the last 5 years alone.

As big and popular as Sioux Falls is, the release of the Annual City and Town Population report from the US Census Bureau tells another story. Sioux Falls might need to beat Rapid City for the top spot. Across the country, Rapid City ranked 54^th in growth, making it the fastest-growing area in the entire Midwest, not just South Dakota. From 2021 to 2022 alone, this city experienced 2.74% growth, and their growth in 2023 is holding steady above 2%.

Top 5 Largest Cities in South Dakota: A Comparison