Capital: Pierre State abbreviation/Postal code: S.D./SD Governor: Dennis Daugaard, R (to Jan. 2015) Lieut. Governor: Matt Michels, R (to Jan. 2015) Senators: John R. Thune, R (to Jan. 2017); Tim Johnson, D (to Jan. 2015) U.S. Representatives: 1 Historical biographies of Congressional members Atty. General: Marty Jackley, R (to Jan. 2015) Secy. of State: Jason M. Gant, R (to Jan. 2015) Treasurer: Rich Sattgast, R (to Jan. 2015) Organized as territory: March 2, 1861 Entered Union (rank): Nov. 2, 1889 (40) Present constitution adopted: 1889 Motto: Under God the people rule State symbols: | flower | American pasqueflower (1903) | | grass | Western wheat grass (1970) | | soil | houdek (1990) | | tree | black hills spruce (1947) | | bird | ring-necked pheasant (1943) | | insect | honeybee (1978) | | animal | coyote (1949) | | mineral stone | rose quartz (1966) | | gemstone | fairburn agate (1966) | | colors | blue and gold (in state flag) | | song | “Hail! South Dakota” (1943) | | fish | walleye (1982) | | musical instrument | fiddle (1989) | | dessert | kuchen (2000) |
Nicknames: Mount Rushmore State; Coyote State Origin of name: From the Sioux tribe, meaning “allies”
10 largest cities (2010 est.): Sioux Falls, 153,888;
Rapid City , 67,956; Aberdeen, 26,091; Brookings, 22,056; Watertown, 21,482; Mitchell, 15.254; Yankton, 14,454;
Pierre , 13,646; Huron, 12,592; Vermillion, 10,571 Land area: 75,885 sq mi. (196,542 sq km) Geographic center: In Hughes Co., 8 mi. NE of Pierre Number of counties: 66 (64 county governments)
Largest county by population and area: Minnehaha, 169,468 (2010); Meade, 3,471 sq mi. State parks: 12 Residents: South Dakotan
2010 resident population est.: 775,933
2010 resident census population (rank): 814,180 (46). Male: 407,381 (50.0%); Female: 406,799 (50.0%). White: 699,392 (85.9%); Black: 10,2047 (1.3%); American Indian: 71,817 (8.8%); Asian: 7,610 (0.9%); Other race: 7,477 (0.9%); Two or more races: 17,283 (2.1%); Hispanic/Latino: 22,119(2.7%). 2010 percent population 18 and over: 75.1; 65 and over: 14.3; Median age: 36.9. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office | 
