Pennington County, South Dakota

Infobox U.S. County
county = Pennington County
state = South Dakota


founded year =
founded date =
seat wl = Rapid City
largest city wl = Rapid City
area_total_sq_mi = 2784
area_total_km2 = 7211
area_land_sq_mi =2776
area_land_km2 = 7190
area_water_sq_mi = 8
area_water_km2 = 21
area percentage = 0.29%
census yr = 2000
pop = 88565
density_sq_mi = 31.90
density_km2 = 12.31
time zone = Mountain
UTC offset = -7
DST offset = -6
footnotes =
web = http://www.co.pennington.sd.us/
named for = John L. Pennington

Pennington County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of 2000, the population was 88,565. Its county seat is at Rapid City.GR|6 Pennington County is the primary county for the Rapid City, South Dakota Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. 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) of it is land and 8 square miles (21 km²) of it (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 it is the highest 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.

Townships

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.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

* Meade County, South Dakota - north
* Haakon County, South Dakota - northeast
* Jackson County, South Dakota - southeast
* Shannon County, South Dakota - south
* Custer County, South Dakota - southwest
* Weston County, Wyoming - west
* Lawrence County, South Dakota - northwest

National protected areas

* Badlands National Park (part)
* Black Hills National Forest (part)
* Buffalo Gap National Grassland (part)
* Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (part)
* Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Demographics

USCensusPop
1900 = 5610
1910 = 12453
1920 = 12720
1930 = 20079
1940 = 23799
1950 = 34053
1960 = 58195
1970 = 59349
1980 = 70361
1990 = 81343
2000 = 88565
estyear = 2007
estimate = 96280

As of the censusGR|2 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.

earch and Rescue

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.

Cities and towns

*Ashland Heights
*Colonial Pine Hills
*Green Valley
*Hill City
*Keystone
*New Underwood
*Owanka
*Quinn
*Rapid City
*Rapid Valley
*Wall
*Wasta
*Wicksville

References

External links

* [http://www.co.pennington.sd.us/ Pennington County, SD government website]
* [http://www.blackhillsportal.com/ Black Hills Community Portal] Black Hills Area Guide & Community Portal
* [http://www.badlandsinfo.com/ Badlands Visitor Information] Badlands Visitor Information and Recommendations