Lead, South Dakota

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Lead, South Dakota
City
Location in Lawrence County and the state of South Dakota
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	South Dakota
County	Lawrence
Founded	1876
Incorporated	1890
Area
• Total	2.06 sq mi (5.3 km2)
• Land	2.06 sq mi (5.3 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	5,200 ft (1,600 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,995
• Density	1,500/sq mi (560/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	57754
Area code(s)	605
FIPS code	46-36220
GNIS feature ID	1267457

Lead is a city in Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 2,995 at the 2020 census. Lead is located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota.

History

Lead was founded in 1876 after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills. The city was named for the leads, or lodes, of ore found in the area. Lead quickly grew as a mining town, with the Homestake Mine becoming one of the largest and deepest gold mines in the world. The mine operated for over 125 years before closing in 2002.

Geography

Lead is situated in the northern Black Hills, at an elevation of approximately 5,200 feet (1,585 meters). The city covers a total area of 2.06 square miles (5.34 km²), all of it land. Lead is located near the city of Deadwood, another historic mining town.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Lead had a population of 2,995 people. The city has a diverse population with a mix of different ethnic and racial groups. The economy of Lead has historically been centered around mining, but has diversified in recent years to include tourism and other industries.

Economy

The economy of Lead was historically dominated by the Homestake Mine, which was a major employer in the area. Since the mine's closure, the city has focused on tourism and other industries. The Sanford Underground Research Facility, located in the former Homestake Mine, is a major scientific research center that attracts scientists from around the world.

Education

Lead is served by the Lead-Deadwood School District, which includes Lead-Deadwood High School, Lead-Deadwood Middle School, and Lead-Deadwood Elementary School. The city also has a public library and other educational resources.

Notable People

• Phoebe Hearst, philanthropist and early supporter of the Homestake Mine.
• Calamity Jane, frontierswoman and professional scout who lived in the area.

See Also

• Black Hills
• Deadwood, South Dakota
• Homestake Mine (South Dakota)
• Sanford Underground Research Facility