Pierre, South Dakota
Encyclopedia
Pierre is the capital of the U.S. state
of South Dakota
and the county seat
of Hughes County
. The population was 13,646 at the 2010 census, making it the second least populous state capital after Montpelier
, Vermont
. Founded in 1880 on the Missouri River
opposite Fort Pierre, Pierre has been South Dakota's capital since it gained statehood
on November 11, 1889, having been chosen for its location in the geographic center of the state. Fort Pierre itself was named after Pierre Chouteau, Jr.
, an American fur trader of French Canadian
origin.
Pierre is the principal city of the Pierre Micropolitan Statistical Area
, which includes all of Hughes and Stanley
counties.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 13.0 square miles (33.7 km²), of which 13.0 square miles (33.7 km²) is land and 0.08% is water.
Pierre lies on rough river bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. It is a few miles away from Lake Oahe
, one of the largest man made lakes in the world and a very popular fishing
destination.
Pierre has a relatively dry, four-season, humid continental climate
(Koppen
Dfa), with long, dry, cold winters, hot summers, and brief spring and autumnal transitions. Monthly averages range from 17.8 °F (-7.9 °C) in January to 75.5 °F (24.2 °C), though differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures are significantly greater during summer than in winter. Snow primarily falls in light amounts, as single-day totals of more than 3 inches (7.6 cm) do not occur consistently, even in March, historically the month with the greatest snow. In addition, there are 24 nights per year with subzero (< −18 °C) lows, and cold conditions are often intensified by the high winds of the Great Plains. Summers often see spikes in temperature, with nearly 9 days above 100 °F (38 °C) and 43 days above 90 °F (32 °C).
The beginning of both May and October represent the last and first, respectively, freezing nights of the cooler season. Precipitation is much lighter in the winter months than it is in late spring and summer. Extremes have ranged from −35 °F in January 1994 to 117 °F (47 °C) in July 2006.
of 2000, there were 13,876 people, 5,567 households, and 3,574 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,065.8 people per square mile (411.5/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% from other races
, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos 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% were married 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.
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. The per capita income
for the city was $20,462. About 5.5% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
provide non-stop flights to Denver
and Minneapolis-St. Paul
.
The nearest interstate highway is Interstate 90
, which is about 34 miles south of Pierre via U.S. Highway 83
. Pierre is one of only five state capitals not served by an interstate highway. Dover, Delaware
; Jefferson City, Missouri
; Carson City, Nevada
; and Juneau, Alaska
, are the other four state capitals with this distinction.
Television
The Capital Journal
is the local newspaper.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Hughes County
Hughes County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,481 people, 6,512 households, and 4,310 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 7,055 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
. The population was 13,646 at the 2010 census, making it the second least populous state capital after Montpelier
Montpelier, Vermont
Montpelier is a city in the U.S. state of Vermont that serves as the state capital and the shire town of Washington County. As the capital of Vermont, Montpelier is the site of the Vermont State House, seat of the legislative branch of Vermont government. The population was 7,855 at the 2010...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. Founded in 1880 on the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
opposite Fort Pierre, Pierre has been South Dakota's capital since it gained statehood
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
on November 11, 1889, having been chosen for its location in the geographic center of the state. Fort Pierre itself was named after Pierre Chouteau, Jr.
Pierre Chouteau, Jr.
Pierre Chouteau, Jr. , also referred to as Pierre Cadet Chouteau, was an American merchant and a member of the wealthy Chouteau fur-trading family of St. Louis, Missouri.-Early life and education:...
, an American fur trader of French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
origin.
Pierre is the principal city of the Pierre Micropolitan Statistical Area
Pierre micropolitan area
The Pierre Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in South Dakota, anchored by the city of Pierre...
, which includes all of Hughes and Stanley
Stanley County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,772 people, 1,111 households, and 775 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile . There were 1,277 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile...
counties.
Geography
Pierre is located at 44°22′5"N 100°20′11"W (44.367966, −100.336378).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 13.0 square miles (33.7 km²), of which 13.0 square miles (33.7 km²) is land and 0.08% is water.
Pierre lies on rough river bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. It is a few miles away from Lake Oahe
Lake Oahe
Lake Oahe is a large reservoir behind Oahe Dam on the Missouri River beginning in central South Dakota and continuing north into North Dakota in the United States. The lake has an area of and a maximum depth of . By volume, it is the fourth-largest reservoir in the US. Lake Oahe has a length of...
, one of the largest man made lakes in the world and a very popular fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
destination.
Pierre has a relatively dry, four-season, humid continental climate
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
(Koppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfa), with long, dry, cold winters, hot summers, and brief spring and autumnal transitions. Monthly averages range from 17.8 °F (-7.9 °C) in January to 75.5 °F (24.2 °C), though differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures are significantly greater during summer than in winter. Snow primarily falls in light amounts, as single-day totals of more than 3 inches (7.6 cm) do not occur consistently, even in March, historically the month with the greatest snow. In addition, there are 24 nights per year with subzero (< −18 °C) lows, and cold conditions are often intensified by the high winds of the Great Plains. Summers often see spikes in temperature, with nearly 9 days above 100 °F (38 °C) and 43 days above 90 °F (32 °C).
The beginning of both May and October represent the last and first, respectively, freezing nights of the cooler season. Precipitation is much lighter in the winter months than it is in late spring and summer. Extremes have ranged from −35 °F in January 1994 to 117 °F (47 °C) in July 2006.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 13,876 people, 5,567 households, and 3,574 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,065.8 people per square mile (411.5/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% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos 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% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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.
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. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $20,462. About 5.5% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Two airlines serving Pierre Regional AirportPierre Regional Airport
Pierre Regional Airport is a public airport located three miles east of the central business district of Pierre, a city in Hughes County, South Dakota, USA. The airport covers and has two runways. It is served by two commercial airlines....
provide non-stop flights to Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
and Minneapolis-St. Paul
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
.
The nearest interstate highway is Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
, which is about 34 miles south of Pierre via U.S. Highway 83
U.S. Route 83
U.S. Route 83 is one of the longest north–south U.S. Highways in the United States, at . Only four other north–south routes are longer: U.S. Routes 1, 41, 59 and 87. The highway's northern terminus is north of Westhope, North Dakota, at the Canadian border, where it continues as...
. Pierre is one of only five state capitals not served by an interstate highway. Dover, Delaware
Dover, Delaware
The city of Dover is the capital and second largest city in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is also the county seat of Kent County, and the principal city of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Kent County. It is located on the St. Jones River in the Delaware...
; Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City is the capital of the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. Located in Callaway and Cole counties, it is the principal city of the Jefferson City metropolitan area, which encompasses the entirety of both counties. As of the 2010 census, the population was 43,079...
; Carson City, Nevada
Carson City, Nevada
The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City is the capital of the state of Nevada. The words Consolidated Municipality refer to a series of changes in 1969 which abolished Ormsby County and merged all the settlements contained within its borders into Carson City. Since that time Carson City has...
; and Juneau, Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
The City and Borough of Juneau is a unified municipality located on the Gastineau Channel in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Alaska. It has been the capital of Alaska since 1906, when the government of the then-District of Alaska was moved from Sitka as dictated by the U.S. Congress in 1900...
, are the other four state capitals with this distinction.
AM Radio
| AM radio stations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner | City |
| 1060 AM | KGFX KGFX (AM) KGFX is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Pierre, South Dakota, USA, the station serves the Pierre area... |
Country Country A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously... /News/Talk |
Dakota Radio Group | Pierre | |
| 1240 AM | KCCR | Adult contemporary | Riverfront Broadcasting LLC | Pierre |
FM Radio
| FM radio stations | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner | Target city/market Media market A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content... | City of license City of license A city of license or community of license, in American and Canadian broadcasting, is the community that a radio station or television station is officially licensed to serve by that country's broadcast regulator.... |
| 89.1 FM | KVFL VCY America Voice of Christian Youth America, aka, the VCY America Radio Network, is a traditional, evangelical Christian ministry based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin which maintains a format of sacred music and spirituals through all of its broadcast outlets.-History:... |
VCY America | Christian Christian radio Christian radio is a category of radio formats that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message. In the United States, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music of Christian influence, though many programs have talk or news programming covering... |
VCY America | Pierre | Pierre |
| 89.5 FM | K208FM | Moody Radio | Christian Christian radio Christian radio is a category of radio formats that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message. In the United States, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music of Christian influence, though many programs have talk or news programming covering... WJSO translator |
Moody Bible Institute | Pierre | Pierre |
| 90.3 FM | KSLP KSLT KSLT known as "Power 107.1" is a radio station licensed to Spearfish, South Dakota serving Rapid City, South Dakota and the surrounding region with a Christian contemporary format. The station is currently owned by Bethesda Christian Broadcasting.... |
Power 107.3 | Contemporary Christian KSLT KSLT KSLT known as "Power 107.1" is a radio station licensed to Spearfish, South Dakota serving Rapid City, South Dakota and the surrounding region with a Christian contemporary format. The station is currently owned by Bethesda Christian Broadcasting.... translator |
Bethesda Christian Broadcasting | Pierre | Fort Pierre |
| 91.7 FM | KTSD South Dakota Public Broadcasting South Dakota Public Broadcasting, or SDPB for short, is a state network of Public Broadcasting Service Non-commercial educational Public television and NPR radio stations serving the state of South Dakota. The stations are operated by the South Dakota Bureau of Information and Telecommunication, a... |
South Dakota Public Broadcasting | NPR | SD Board of Directors for Educational Telecommunications | Pierre | Reliance |
| 92.7 FM | KGFX-FM KGFX-FM KGFX-FM is a radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary format. Licensed to Pierre, South Dakota, USA, the station serves the Pierre area... |
River 92.7 | Adult Contemporary | Dakota Radio Group | Pierre | Pierre |
| 94.5 FM | KPLO-FM KPLO-FM KPLO-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Reliance, South Dakota. The station is owned by James River Broadcasting. It airs a Country music format.... |
94 Country | Country Country A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously... |
Dakota Radio Group | Pierre | Pierre |
| 95.3 FM | KLXS | Jack FM | Adult Hits Adult hits Adult hits is a radio format, popular in the early 2000s, that does not adhere to a specific music genre, but instead draws from a wider playlist... |
Riverfront Broadcasting LLC | Pierre | Reliance |
| 96.1 FM | K241AF South Dakota Public Broadcasting South Dakota Public Broadcasting, or SDPB for short, is a state network of Public Broadcasting Service Non-commercial educational Public television and NPR radio stations serving the state of South Dakota. The stations are operated by the South Dakota Bureau of Information and Telecommunication, a... |
South Dakota Public Broadcasting | NPR | SD Board of Directors for Educational Telecommunications | Pierre | Pierre |
| 97.9 FM | K250AP KPGN-LP KPGN-LP is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. Licensed to Pierre, South Dakota, USA, the station serves the Pierre area. The station is currently owned by Pierre Educational Radio, Inc... |
Pierre's Good News Station | Christian Christian radio Christian radio is a category of radio formats that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message. In the United States, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music of Christian influence, though many programs have talk or news programming covering... KPGN-LP KPGN-LP KPGN-LP is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. Licensed to Pierre, South Dakota, USA, the station serves the Pierre area. The station is currently owned by Pierre Educational Radio, Inc... translator |
Pierre Educational Radio, Inc | Pierre | Pierre |
| 100.1 FM | KJBI KJBI KJBI is a radio station licensed to serve Fort Pierre, South Dakota. The station is owned by and Ingstad Family Media and licensed to James River Broadcasting... |
100.1 The Eagle | Classic Hits Classic hits Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format... |
Dakota Radio Group | Pierre | Fort Pierre |
| 104.7 FM | KPGN-LP KPGN-LP KPGN-LP is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. Licensed to Pierre, South Dakota, USA, the station serves the Pierre area. The station is currently owned by Pierre Educational Radio, Inc... |
Pierre's Good News Station | Christian Christian radio Christian radio is a category of radio formats that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message. In the United States, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music of Christian influence, though many programs have talk or news programming covering... |
Pierre Educational Radio, Inc | Pierre | Pierre |
Television
- KPRY-TV Ch. 4 ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
- KTSD-TV Ch. 10 PBSPublic Broadcasting ServiceThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
- KPLO-TV Ch. 13 CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
- KDLV-TV Ch. 26 NBCNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
The Capital Journal
Capital Journal
Capital Journal is a newspaper in Pierre, South Dakota.The Capital Journal, founded in 1881, serves the areas of Pierre and Fort Pierre in South Dakota....
is the local newspaper.
Notable natives
- Floyd BannisterFloyd BannisterFloyd Franklin Bannister is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched for the Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Chicago White Sox , Kansas City Royals , California Angels , and the Texas Rangers .-History:In 1973, as a high school...
was a pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. - Ernest O. Lawrence, physicist and Nobel Laureate
- M. Michael Rounds, 31st Governor of South DakotaGovernor of South DakotaThe Governor of South Dakota is the head of the executive branch of the government of South Dakota. They are elected to a four year term on even years when there is no Presidential election. The current governor is Dennis Daugaard, a Republican elected in 2010....