South Dakota is famous for its scenic Badlands, the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Black Hills gold jewelry and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Prairie, grassland and farmland cover 90% of the state, where herds of buffalo ranged in the thousands. Historical figures like Lewis and Clark, Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Sitting Bull, and General George Custer are all part of South Dakota’s lively past. South Dakota covers 75,885 square miles, with a 2010 estimated population of 814,180 people – 445,138 living in rural South Dakota (USDA-ERS, 2009). Pierre, the capital, is located in the central region of the state. The state’s largest cities are Sioux Falls and Rapid City. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 85.9% of the state’s population is white, 8.8% is American Indian & Alaska Native, and 2.7% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2010).
There are 60 hospitals in South Dakota, 48 of which are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Dec. 2008). The state has 38 hospitals identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical Access Hospitals (Sept. 2010). There are 58 Rural Health Clinics in South Dakota (Kaiser, 2011), and 6 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 38 sites in the state (Kaiser, 2010). Most South Dakotans have some form of health insurance coverage, although 13.0% of its residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2008-2009).
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for South Dakotans in 2009 was $38,374, although rural per-capita income lagged at $37,446. 2010 estimates indicate a poverty rate of 17.2% exists in rural South Dakota, compared to a 11.5% level in urban areas of the state. 2010 ACS data reports that 12.8% of the rural population has not completed high school, compared to 8.3% of urban populations. The unemployment rate in rural South Dakota is 4.7%, while the urban rate is 5.0% (USDA-ERS, 2010).
For a national comparison, please see an overview of the United States.
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau: State & County QuickFacts; USDA Economic Research Service: State Fact Sheets; North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center; Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts; Flex Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List
Organizations
Bush Foundation
Nonprofit/Foundation
An independent grantmaker focused on small communities, leadership, and diversity. Focused on the needs of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations in those states.
Center for Advancement of Health Information Technology: South Dakota
State/regional organization
South Dakota State Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) that helps health care providers become meaningful users of electronic health records by providing information and technical assistance.
Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Works to provide leadership on primary health care issues in the areas of community development, health career resources, and health policy in North Dakota and South Dakota.
Dakota Rural Action
State/regional organization
Acts as a grassroots family agriculture and conservation group that organizes South Dakotans to protect family farmers, ranchers, natural resources, and a way of life.
Farm Rescue
Nonprofit/Foundation
Provides planting and harvesting assistance to farm families in that have experienced a major illness, injury or natural disaster. Qualifying farmers may be eligible to have their agricultural land planted or harvested free of charge. Areas served are North Dakota, South Dakota, western Minnesota, and eastern Montana.
Great Plains Telehealth Resource and Assistance Center (GPTRAC)
State/regional organization
One of five telehealth resource centers. Assists
health care organizations, health care networks, and health care providers in the implementation of cost-effective telehealth programs to serve rural and medically underserved areas and populations. Includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.
High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS)
Academic/Research
Works to improve the occupational health, safety, and well-being of the residents of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
HUD Community Development Block Grants: South Dakota (CDBG)
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
Midwest Assistance Program (MAP)
State/regional organization
Helps communities and tribal nations find solutions to their infrastructure and development needs through information, resource management, expertise, and technical assistance. Helps rural communities in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region (NN/LM-GMR)
State/regional organization
Works to improve access to health information for health professionals, librarians and members of the public in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD)
State/regional organization
One of four regional rural development centers in the nation. Works with extension professionals, researchers, and partners to enhance rural development outcomes. Serves a 12 state area in the North Central region which includes ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, IN, MI, and OH.
Northern Great Plains Inc. (NGP)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Identifies and promotes policies and practices that support an integrated approach to economic opportunities in rural communities. Identifies trends, needs, and research.
Proyecto/Project IDEAS
State/regional organization
Strives to improve HIV prevention services for Latino/Hispanic populations living in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. Focuses on adapting and tailoring CDC-approved interventions that are culturally, linguistically and educationally appropriate. This is a capacity building assistance program for community-based organizations and state and local health departments.
Rural Learning Center
Local organization
Partners with local groups and connects people and organizations from around South Dakota and the region to share stories and discoveries and foster change in rural communities. Based in Howard, South Dakota.
South Dakota Area Health Education Center (SD AHEC)
State/regional organization
Collaborates with a network of community, state, healthcare and academic partners striving to meet the healthcare workforce needs of South Dakota.
South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO)
State/regional organization
Represents and serves health care organizations across the State. This is a non-profit, state-wide professional/trade association whose membership is diverse, spanning various types of institutional ownership, geographic location, size, and complexities of service. Members include general acute care, veterans, Indian Health Services, and nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted living centers, and hospice organizations.
South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (SD CCCP)
State/regional organization
Dedicated to bringing together individuals, organizations, health care providers, and agencies to reduce the burden that cancer places on the people of South Dakota. Promotes and supports programs and policies for cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, data and research, survivor issues, and end of life/palliation.
South Dakota Department of Education, Office of Educational Services & Support: Special Education (OESS)
State government
Promotes leadership and service among administrators and educators, who touch the lives of children on a daily basis. Provides resources and services that directly impact children and their parents.
South Dakota Department of Health (DOH)
State government
Provides services and resources to promote health, access to needed, high-quality health care, and to manage public health resources.
South Dakota Department of Health: Office of Data, Statistics & Vital Records
State government
Conducts statistical analysis of health data gathered through the vital records data base, the department's Cancer Data Registry, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and the annual survey of hospitals and nursing homes in the state. Maintains birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for the state and issues certified copies of such records.
South Dakota Department of Human Services: Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
State government
Strives to ensure that people with developmental disabilities have equal opportunities and receive the services and support they need to live and work in South Dakota communities.
South Dakota Department of Labor
State government
Enhances the South Dakota workforce by providing businesses with employment-related solutions and helping people with job placement and career transition services.
South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS)
State government
Works with South Dakotans when financial difficulties, physical or mental handicaps, or other problems threaten their independence.
South Dakota Department of Social Services: Adult Protective Services
State government
Provides assistance to adults residing in South Dakota communities who are at risk of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self neglect.
South Dakota Division of Child Support (DCS)
State government
Helps parents establish a financial partnership to support their children when they do not live together. Staff at eight field offices help locate noncustodial parents, establish paternity, establish or modify child support and medical support orders, enforce support orders, and collect and process support payments.
South Dakota Division of Mental Health
State government
Ensures that children and adults with mental health disorders in our communities will have the opportunity to choose and receive effective services needed to promote resiliency and recovery.
South Dakota Division of Rehabilitation Services
State government
Assists individuals with disabilities to obtain employment, economic self-sufficiency, personal independence and full inclusion into society.
South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development
State government
Provides information, resources and programs that support economic development in the State of South Dakota.
South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA)
State government
Encourages the prudent investment of public financing and private capital to stimulate the construction, preservation, rehabilitation, purchase, and development of affordable single and multifamily housing and day care facilities. Provides a variety of programs that assist low and moderate-income South Dakotans.
South Dakota Office of Rural Health
State government
Works to improve the delivery of health services to rural and medically underserved communities, emphasizing access. Part of the South Dakota Department of Health.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: South Dakota (HUD)
Federal government
Works to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing. The HUD state office provides information about HUD housing programs and local contacts for the state.
USDA Rural Development South Dakota State Office
Federal government
Committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The Rural Development State Office provides information about Rural Development programs and applications for financial assistance.
Wellmark Foundation
Nonprofit/Foundation
Seeks to improve the health of Iowans, South Dakotans by providing support to non-profit organizations and public entities to help communities establish or expand health initiatives.
Tools
ERS State Fact Sheet: South Dakota
Web site
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
Meadowlark Project
Web site
Describes a process aimed at systemic change by bringing a diverse sample of the Northern Great Plains region's population to the table to discuss the region's future. Engages in conversations among rural communities and organizations.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: South Dakota
Web site
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
NN/LM Greater Midwest Region: South Dakota Resources
Web site
Overview of the state, with links to state agencies, health associations, and other resources for South Dakota.
South Dakota Health Centers Data
Web site
Provides access to information on Federally Qualified Health Centers for the state. Includes a map of FQHC locations, as well as information on the populations served by health centers, services provided, staff, patient visits, costs of care, and use of electronic health information.
South Dakota Health Occupations for Today and Tomorrow (HOTT)
Web site
Focused on health career information for students at all grade levels. Provides information on health care careers, K-12 lesson plans, and other resources. A project of the South Dakota Departments of Education, Health, and Labor and the South Dakota Board of Regents.
South Dakota KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Web site
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
South Dakota QuickFacts
Web site
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
South Dakota State Data Center - University of South Dakota GRB
Web site
The designated lead census center for South Dakota and a repository of U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis publications and databases.
South Dakota State Health Facts
Database
The latest state-level data on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing, and state legislation. Individual state profiles and 50-state comparisons.
See also: Resources for All States: Tools Documents, Reports and Other Publications
2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #1: Overview of Findings
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Describes health insurance coverage among farmers and ranchers. Based on a survey of non-corporate farm and ranch operators in seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 09 / 2007
2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #2: How Farmers and Ranchers Get Health Insurance and What They Spend for Health Care
Author(s): Carol Pryor, Jeffrey Prottas, Bill Lottero, Mark Rukavina, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Examines health insurance costs and health care spending of farmers and ranchers. Based on a 2007 survey of farm and ranch operators in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 12 / 2007
2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #3: Who Experiences Financial Hardship Because of Health Care Costs?
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Examines which farmers and ranchers are at greatest risk of experiencing financial hardship due to health care costs. Based on a survey of non-corporate farm and ranch operators in seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 08 / 2008
2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #4: The Costs of Dental Care and the Impact of Dental Insurance Coverage
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Presents data on the costs of dental care, the prevalence of dental debt, and the impact of having dental insurance on the costs of dental care, access to care, and the likelihood that
people will experience financial hardship because of health care costs. Based on a survey of non-corporate farm and ranch operators in seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 04 / 2009
2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #5: Who is Uninsured?
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Examines the characteristics of uninsured family farmers and ranchers and the impact of lack of insurance on their financial situation and ability to access care. Based on a survey of non-corporate farm and ranch operators in seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 06 / 2009
2007 Health Insurance Survey of Farm and Ranch Operators, Issue Brief #6: Who Has Medical Debt and What Are the Consequences?
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Alana Knudson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Examines the characteristics of farmers and ranchers who had medical debt and the impact of the debt on their financial situation and ability to access care. Based on a survey of non-corporate farm and ranch operators in seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Date: 10 / 2009
2007 Health Insurance Survey of Missouri Farm and Ranch Operators, Executive Summary: Health Care in the Heartland
Author(s): Bill Lottero, Carol Pryor, Mark Rukavina, Jeffrey Prottas, Sidney Watson
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Presents the results of a survey involving 257
Missouri farmers and ranchers to gather data about their health insurance and the burden that health care expenses are placing on farm and ranch families.
Date: 2008
2008 South Dakota Health Professional Workforce Report
Author(s): Doneen Hollingsworth
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Department of Health
Provides statewide and county-level data that reveals the vacancy and turnover rates among health care professionals in South Dakota. Data is based on a survey sent to health care facilities, clinics, community health, dental offices, federally qualified health care centers (FQHCs), eye clinics, pharmacies, correctional health facilities, and rural health clinics (RHCs).
Date: 01 / 2009
2010 South Dakota Kids Count Factbook
Sponsoring organization: University of South Dakota
Provides data pertaining to the children in the State of South Dakota as well as an assessment of the well-being of South Dakota's children and their families.
Date: 12 / 2010
2012 WICHE Workplan: It's All About Outcomes
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Discusses WICHE's focus in 2012 which includes finance, access and success, workforce and society, technology and innovation, and accountability. Highlights students exchange programs in rural and underserved areas, rural healthcare initiatives, and rural primary care clinics.
Date: 09 / 2011
Around the Country: Dakota Network Enhances Access
Author(s): Hope Hanson
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Highlights the Dakota Network of Community Health Centers, a collaboration of nine health care organizations operating 31 of the region's Community Health Centers (CHCs). Describes how the network is helping to expand health information technology and bring improved and more efficient health care to the rural Dakotas.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Issue Summer
Date: 08 / 2006
Case Studies on Transit and Livable Communities in Rural and Small Town America
Author(s): Sean Barry
Sponsoring organization: Transportation for America
Collection of 12 case studies providing examples of how small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities.
Date: 09 / 2010
Demographic and Economic Profile: South Dakota
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Discusses demographic and economic data including population, race, education, age, poverty, health care services, and employment. Includes maps and graphics.
Date: 12 / 2008
Diversifying the Economy to Create Jobs and Help Families Prosper in South Dakota
Author(s): Betsy Rubiner
Sponsoring organization: Annie E. Casey Foundation
Describes how residents in Miner County, South Dakota are working to reduce poverty and rebuild their economy through employment, housing, and leadership developments.
Date: 08 / 2008
e-Emergency Services Bring Specialists to Rural Patients with the Push of a Button
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
More and more specialists are available to small hospitals via telemedicine, benefiting patients—and doctors. Highlights Avera eEmergency Services, a hospital-based telemedicine emergency support service available in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08 / 2011
Health Behaviors of South Dakotans, 2009: A Report of the South Dakota Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Department of Health
Measures health risks of South Dakotans. Compares data from this survey to the Healthy People 2010 National Health Objectives as well as to the rest of the nation.
Date: 06 / 2011
Health Insurance, Health Care Costs, and Access to Care: How Are South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers Faring Compared to Farmers and Ranchers in Other Great Plains States?
Sponsoring organization: Access Project
Discusses how health care costs effects farmers and ranchers in South Dakota, including the effects on their families, businesses, and surrounding rural economies.
Date: 07 / 2009
Past Silos and Smokestacks: Transforming the Rural Economy in the Midwest
Author(s): Mark Drabenstott
Sponsoring organization: Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Discusses a development strategy that includes regional cooperation, innovation, and a leveraging of all strengths for the rural Midwest to transform its economy.
Date: 2010
Prospects & Possibilities for South Dakota
Sponsoring organization: Bush Foundation
Presents the results of surveys conducted in 35 community conversations in 29 communities across South Dakota. Discusses many rural issues including the economy, education, health care access and costs, race relations, demographics, and population.
Date: 03 / 2011
Retaining Rural Nurses: Midwestern Summit on Retaining and Making Best use of the Older More Experienced Rural Registered Nurse
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Highlights of a one-day session, consisting of 25 nurse-leaders from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota who engaged in a series of roundtable discussions on the future of older
nurses in rural communities.
Date: 08 / 2007
Small Business Profile: South Dakota
Sponsoring organization: Small Business Administration
Profile of the state's economy, covering the number of firms, industry composition, small business income, banking, women and minority business ownership, and employment.
Date: 02 / 2011
South Dakota 2011 Healthcare Workforce Report
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Department of Health
Profiles the healthcare workforce projected needs in the future and workforce distribution by geography, age, and profession.
Date: 09 / 2011
South Dakota Health Center Fact Sheet
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
Provides a description of what health centers are, and the most recent state-level data available for health center patients, services provided, staff, patient visits, and costs of care.
Date: 12 / 2010
South Dakota Quick Health Facts 2010
Author(s): Leigh Purvis
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
Presents data on South Dakota including demographics, health expenditures and financing, health status, utilization and quality of services, Medicare and Medicaid, and access to care.
Date: 07 / 2010
Student Exchange Programs: Statistical Report, Academic Year 2011-12
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Discusses WICHE's three student exchange programs: Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), and Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP). Covers Fall 2011 enrollment, discusses health workforce shortages, and the funds that flow between students' home states and the enrolling institutions in these programs.
Date: 01 / 2012
See also: Resources for All States: Documents Journals
Source Newsletter
Published three times a year. Provides news on infrastructure and development needs for rural communities in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Success Stories
Mobile Unit Brings Cancer Screenings to Native American Women
Describes how the Mobile Women's Health Unit works to meet the needs of Native American women living in rural areas.
Dakota Network of Community Health Centers
This program has an Electronic Health Information Management Network with fully interactive video conferencing in place and it is being utilized to the benefit of the Dakota Network Collaborating Organizations and the patients served.
EMS Co-op Helps Rural Providers
Using the power of group purchasing within a cooperative structure, the North Central EMS Cooperative (NCEMSC) is an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) cooperative developed to serve Minnesota and surrounding states.
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