Destination South Dakota

This section will answer many of your questions regarding the life science industry in South Dakota, the state's economy, tax structure and cost of living, education, transportation, climate, recreational opportunities, history and more.

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Industry Overview | Economy/Cost of Living | Education
Recreation & Entertainment | Transportation | Geography & Climate
History | Suggested Reading List

The Mount Rushmore State, a land of Black Hills and Badlands, of pioneer spirit and living history, of prairie and city: this is South Dakota, whose rich heritage and perseverance herald a promising future.

Industry Snapshot

South Dakota touts a growing biotechnology and life sciences industry sector. The Mount Rushmore State boasts strength in agricultural research, fine academic institutions, no corporate income tax, and low costs of living and doing business.

Economy/Cost of Living

With just over 781,900 people, South Dakota ranks 46th in population among the United States. The largest cities in the Mount Rushmore State are Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings, Mitchell, capital city Pierre, Yankton, Huron, and Vermillion.

Education

South Dakota provides many educational opportunities for all ages. School-age children have the option to attend public, private, or home schools. The Mount Rushmore State offers higher education institutions in the form of public universities, private colleges, tribal colleges, and community colleges.

Recreation & Entertainment

South Dakota offers many recreational and entertainment opportunities throughout the state. From exploring natural wonders, hiking, and enjoying performing arts, South Dakota offers diversions to suit almost anyone.

Transportation

South Dakota’s sparse population results in a transportation system reliant primarily upon roads and highways. The state’s Midwestern location places it within access of two major Interstate highways: I-90, running east to west, with the I-190 spur into Rapid City, and I-29, running north to south, with the I-229 loop around Sioux Falls.

Geography & Climate

South Dakota is located in the Midwestern and Western regions of the United States, and ranks as the 17th largest state in total area by covering 77,121 square miles. South Dakota is bordered to the north by North Dakota, to the south by Nebraska, to the east by Iowa and Minnesota, and to the west by Montana and Wyoming.

History

The land that is now South Dakota was once home to the agrarian Arikara peoples and the nomadic Dakota, or Sioux, peoples. Europeans arrived in 1742, when French explorers, the La Verendrye Brothers, arrived and claimed present-day Pierre for France.

Suggested Reading List

A list of select guides and reference books about South Dakota.