Pennington County, South Dakota

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Pennington County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 109,222, making it the second-most populous county in South Dakota. The county seat is Rapid City. Pennington County is part of the Rapid City Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Pennington County was created in 1875 and organized in 1877. It was named after John L. Pennington, the third Governor of Dakota Territory. The county has a rich history tied to the Black Hills and the Gold Rush era.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,784 square miles (7,210 km²), of which 2,777 square miles (7,190 km²) is land and 7.2 square miles (19 km²) (0.3%) is water. The county is home to several notable geographic features, including parts of the Black Hills National Forest and Badlands National Park.

Adjacent counties

• Meade County (north)
• Haakon County (northeast)
• Jackson County (east)
• Oglala Lakota County (south)
• Custer County (southwest)
• Lawrence County (northwest)

Major highways

• Interstate 90
• U.S. Route 16
• U.S. Route 16A
• U.S. Route 385
• South Dakota Highway 44

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 109,222 people, 43,000 households, and 28,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with significant populations of Native Americans and smaller percentages of other races.

Communities

Cities

• Rapid City
• Box Elder

Towns

• Hill City
• Keystone

Census-designated places

• Colonial Pine Hills
• Green Valley

Unincorporated communities

• Caputa
• Wasta

Government and politics

Pennington County is governed by a Board of Commissioners, consisting of five members elected from single-member districts. The county also has several elected officials, including the Sheriff, Auditor, Treasurer, and Register of Deeds.

Education

Pennington County is served by several school districts, including the Rapid City Area Schools and the Hill City School District. Higher education institutions in the county include the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Attractions

Pennington County is home to several attractions, including:

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Crazy Horse Memorial
• Custer State Park
• Wind Cave National Park

See also

• List of counties in South Dakota
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Pennington County, South Dakota