View source for Pierre, South Dakota

{{Short description|Capital city of South Dakota, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Pierre, South Dakota
 | settlement_type          = [[List of capitals in the United States|State capital city]]
 | image_skyline            = {{multiple image
    | border      = infobox
    | total_width = 280
    | image_style = border:1;
    | perrow      = 1/2/2
    | image1      = Pierre, South Dakota (2022).jpg
    | caption1    = Downtown Pierre (2022)
    | image2      = South Dakota State Capitol, Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD - 53748194705.jpg
    | caption2    = [[South Dakota State Capitol]]
    | image3      = Soldiers and Sailors World War Memorial, Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD - 53748188365.jpg
    | caption3    = Soldiers and Sailors World War Memorial
    | image4      = Federal Building, Pierre, South Dakota.jpg
    | caption4    = Federal Building
    | image5      = St. Charles Hotel, Pierre, South Dakota.jpg
    | caption5    = [[St. Charles Hotel (Pierre, South Dakota)|St. Charles Hotel]]
 }}
 | image_flag               = Flag of Pierre, South Dakota.png
 | flag_size                = 90
 | image_seal               = Seal of Pierre, South Dakota.png
 | seal_size                = 80
 | image_shield             = 
 | shield_size              = 
 | image_blank_emblem       = Pierre, SD Logo.png
 | blank_emblem_type        = Logo
 | blank_emblem_size        = 120
 | nickname                 = 
 | motto                    = "On The River-On The Move"
 | image_map                = Hughes County South Dakota Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Pierre Highlighted.svg
 | mapsize                  = 250px
 | map_caption              = Location within [[Hughes County, South Dakota|Hughes County]] in [[South Dakota]]
 | image_map1               = 
 | mapsize1                 = 
 | map_caption1             = 
 | pushpin_map              = South Dakota#USA
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location within South Dakota##Location within the [[United States]]
 | pushpin_relief           = yes
 | pushpin_label            = Pierre
 | coordinates              = {{coord|44|22|29|N|100|19|14|W|region:US-SD|display=inline,title}}
 | subdivision_type         = Country
 | subdivision_name         = United States
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in South Dakota|County]]
 | subdivision_type3        = 
 | subdivision_type4        = 
 | subdivision_name1        = [[South Dakota]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Hughes County, South Dakota|Hughes]]
 | subdivision_name3        = 
 | subdivision_name4        = 
 | established_title        = Founded
 | established_date         = 1880
 | established_title2       = Incorporated
 | established_date2        = 1883<ref name="collier">{{cite encyclopedia|editor=William D. Halsey|encyclopedia=Collier's Encyclopedia|title=Pierre|year=1976|publisher=Macmillan Educational Corporation|volume=19|location=New York|pages=42–43}}</ref>
 | established_title3       = Chartered
 | established_date3        = 1900<ref>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Pierre |volume=21 |page=591}}</ref>
 | named_for                = [[Pierre Chouteau Jr.]]
 | government_footnotes     = 
 | government_type          = 
 | leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = Steve Harding <ref name="Mayor">{{cite web|title=Pierre, SD - Official Website|url=https://www.cityofpierre.org/343/Mayor-Steve-Harding|publisher=City of Pierre, South Dakota|accessdate=March 27, 2025}}</ref>
 | leader_title1            = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
 | leader_name1             = 
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='46'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 15, 2022}}</ref>
 | area_magnitude           = 
 | area_total_km2           = 33.80
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 13.05
 | area_land_km2            = 33.74
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 13.03
 | area_water_km2           = 0.05
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
 | area_water_percent       = 0.08
 | elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
 | elevation_ft             = 1700
 | population_total         = 14,091
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
 | pop_est_as_of            = 
 | pop_est_footnotes        = 
 | population_est           = 
 | population_density_km2   = 417.63
 | population_density_sq_mi = 1081.68
 | image_dot_map            = 
 | leader_title2            = 
 | leader_name2             = 
 | leader_title3            = 
 | leader_name3             = 
 | timezone                 = [[Central Standard Time|CST]]
 | utc_offset               = -06:00
 | timezone_DST             = [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]]
 | utc_offset_DST           = -05:00
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 46-49600
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 1267533<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1267533}}</ref>
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
 | postal_code              = 57501
 | area_code                = [[Area code 605|605]]
 | website                  = {{URL|https://www.cityofpierre.org/|cityofpierre.org}}
}}
'''Pierre''' ({{IPAc-en|p|ɪər}} {{respell|PEER}}) is the [[List of capitals in the United States|capital city]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Dakota]] and the [[county seat]] of [[Hughes County, South Dakota|Hughes County]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>  As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 14,091. Pierre is the [[List of cities in South Dakota|eleventh-most populous city]] of South Dakota, and the [[List of capitals in the United States|second-least populous U.S. state capital]] (after [[Montpelier, Vermont]]).

Founded in 1880 on the [[Missouri River]], the city was selected to be the state capital when South Dakota was admitted as a state in 1889. Near the center of the state, the then-new settlement was across the river from the settlement of [[Fort Pierre, South Dakota|Fort Pierre]], and near what became an important railroad crossing of the River.

==History==
[[File:South Dakota - Pierre - NARA - 68148932 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Pierre in 1943]]
Pierre was founded in 1880 on the east bank of the [[Missouri River]] opposite [[Fort Pierre, South Dakota|Fort Pierre]], a former trading post that developed as a community. It was designated as the state capital when South Dakota gained [[U.S. state|statehood]] on November 2, 1889.

[[Huron, South Dakota|Huron]] challenged the city to be selected as the capital, but Pierre was selected for its geographic centrality in the state. Fort Pierre had developed earlier, with a permanent settlement since {{circa|1817}} around a fur trading post. Fort Pierre Chouteau, preceding the city, was named after [[Pierre Chouteau, Jr.]], an American [[fur trade]]r from [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]], who was of colonial [[French people|French]] origin.

Pierre's development was also influenced by construction of the [[Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad]], which runs east–west through the city. It increased access to markets for regional products and improved transportation for passengers. The railroad crosses the Missouri River on the [[Chicago and North Western Railroad Bridge]].

The capital city became relatively isolated in the post-[[World War II]] era of federally subsidized highway construction, as travelers and freight companies began to use automobiles and trucking. It is one of four state capitals not served by the [[Interstate Highway System]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Part VII - Miscellaneous Interstate Facts - Engineering Data - Interstate System - Highway History - Federal Highway Administration |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/data/page07.cfm |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=[[Federal Highway Administration|Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)]]}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Pierre South Dakota.jpg|thumb|left|Photograph of the [[Oahe Dam]], several miles north of Pierre, taken from the [[International Space Station]] (ISS)]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|13.07|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|13.06|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=June 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref>

Pierre is sited on rough river bluffs above the east bank of the [[Missouri River]], overlooking its expanse. It is a few miles away from [[Lake Oahe]], one of the world's largest man-made lakes. Developed for flood control and irrigation, the lake has become a popular fishing destination.

===Climate===
Pierre has a relatively dry, four-season, [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfa'', [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]]: ''Dcao''),<ref>Peel, M.C., Finlayson, B.L., and McMahon, T.A.: [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Americas_K%C3%B6ppen_Map.png Updated American map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification.] Earth Syst. Sci., 11, 1633–1644, 2007.</ref> with long, dry, cold winters, hot summers, and brief spring and autumnal transitions; like much of the southern half of the state, it lies in [[Hardiness zone|USDA Plant Hardiness]] zone 5.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is my arborday.org Hardiness Zone? |url=http://www.arborday.org/treeinfo/ZoneInfo.cfm?ZipCode=57501&submit=Look+it+up%21 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630014614/http://www.arborday.org/treeinfo/ZoneInfo.cfm?ZipCode=57501&submit=Look+it+up! |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |access-date=9 April 2016 }}</ref> According to weather maps and their data, Pierre can be considered a [[Semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|cool semi-arid climate]] (Köppen: ''BSk'') aided by its precipitation near the threshold<ref>{{cite web |last=Data |first=US Climate |title=Climate Pierre - South Dakota and Weather averages Pierre - Weather history january 2018 |url=https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/pierre/south-dakota/united-states/ussd0269/2018/1 |url-status=dead |website=www.usclimatedata.com |access-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001925/https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/pierre/south-dakota/united-states/ussd0269/2018/1 |archive-date=October 17, 2018}}</ref> that reaches even northeast of the city in [[South Dakota]]. As such, it is the only capital of the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] states with a non-humid climate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.plantmaps.com/koppen-climate-classification-map-united-states.php|title=Interactive United States Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Map|website=www.plantmaps.com|access-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214712/https://www.plantmaps.com/koppen-climate-classification-map-united-states.php|archive-date=October 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.eng.unimelb.edu.au/mpeel/koppen.html|title=Updated Köppen-Geiger climate map of the world|website=people.eng.unimelb.edu.au|access-date=October 16, 2018}}</ref> The monthly daily average temperature ranges from {{convert|19.1|F|1}} in January to {{convert|74.9|F|1}}, though the [[diurnal temperature variation]] is significantly greater during summer than in winter.<ref name=NCEI/> Snow primarily falls in light amounts, with the snowiest months being February and March, while the average seasonal total is {{convert|37.2|in|m|2}}.<ref name=NCEI/> In addition, there are an average 20.9 nights per year with lows below {{convert|0|F|1}},<ref name = NCEI/> and cold conditions are often intensified by the [[Great Plains]]' high winds. Summers often see spikes in temperature, with 6.6 days of highs above {{convert|100|F|1}} and 37–38 days with highs above {{convert|90|F|1}}.<ref name =NCEI/>

[[File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - PIERRE REGIONAL AP,SD.svg|thumb|left|Climate chart for Pierre]]
On July 23, 1973, an F3 tornado struck Pierre and caused 10 injuries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tornado History Project: 19730723.46.22 |url=http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/19730723.46.22 |url-status=usurped |access-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404073714/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/19730723.46.22 |archive-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref> It was the strongest tornado ever recorded in Hughes County.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tornado History Project: Hughes County, South Dakota |url=http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/South-Dakota/Hughes/map |url-status=usurped |access-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404073629/http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/tornado/South-Dakota/Hughes/map |archive-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref>

The beginnings of May and October see the last and first freezing nights, respectively, of the cooler season.<ref name=NOAA/> Precipitation is much lighter in the winter than in late spring and summer, and totals about {{convert|20|in|0}} annually.<ref name=NCEI/> Extremes have ranged from {{convert|-35|F|0}} on February 9, 1994, to {{convert|117|F|0}} on July 15, 2006.<ref name=NOAA/>

{{Weather box
|width=auto 
|location = Pierre, South Dakota ([[Pierre Regional Airport]]), 1991−2010 normals, extremes 1933–present
|single line = Y
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high F = 68
|Feb record high F = 75
|Mar record high F = 88
|Apr record high F = 98
|May record high F = 105
|Jun record high F = 112
|Jul record high F = 117
|Aug record high F = 114
|Sep record high F = 108
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 87
|Dec record high F = 77
|year record high F = 117
|Jan avg record high F = 52.5
|Feb avg record high F = 58.2
|Mar avg record high F = 74.0
|Apr avg record high F = 84.3
|May avg record high F = 89.8
|Jun avg record high F = 96.6
|Jul avg record high F = 103.0
|Aug avg record high F = 101.9
|Sep avg record high F = 97.5
|Oct avg record high F = 86.1
|Nov avg record high F = 69.1
|Dec avg record high F = 54.5
|year avg record high F = 105.0
|Jan high F = 29.0
|Feb high F = 33.7
|Mar high F = 45.7
|Apr high F = 58.5
|May high F = 69.5
|Jun high F = 80.0
|Jul high F = 88.3
|Aug high F = 86.6
|Sep high F = 77.5
|Oct high F = 60.7
|Nov high F = 44.9
|Dec high F = 32.4
|year high F = 58.9
|Jan mean F = 19.1
|Feb mean F = 23.2
|Mar mean F = 34.3
|Apr mean F = 45.9
|May mean F = 57.2
|Jun mean F = 67.8
|Jul mean F = 74.9
|Aug mean F = 73.0
|Sep mean F = 63.6
|Oct mean F = 48.5
|Nov mean F = 34.1
|Dec mean F = 22.8
|year mean F = 47.0
|Jan low F = 9.3
|Feb low F = 12.6
|Mar low F = 22.9
|Apr low F = 33.3
|May low F = 44.9
|Jun low F = 55.6
|Jul low F = 61.6
|Aug low F = 59.4
|Sep low F = 49.7
|Oct low F = 36.2
|Nov low F = 23.2
|Dec low F = 13.2
|year low F = 35.2
|Jan avg record low F = -13.6
|Feb avg record low F = -8.8
|Mar avg record low F = -0.2
|Apr avg record low F = 17.2
|May avg record low F = 30.2
|Jun avg record low F = 43.9
|Jul avg record low F = 50.5
|Aug avg record low F = 47.4
|Sep avg record low F = 33.4
|Oct avg record low F = 18.9
|Nov avg record low F = 5.3
|Dec avg record low F = -8.0
|year avg record low F = -18.8
|Jan record low F = −33
|Feb record low F = −35
|Mar record low F = −20
|Apr record low F = 0
|May record low F = 21
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 42
|Aug record low F = 39
|Sep record low F = 21
|Oct record low F = 2
|Nov record low F = −18
|Dec record low F = −31
|year record low F = -35
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.45
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.74
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.96
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.93
|May precipitation inch = 3.25
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.69
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.39
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.95
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.74
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.69
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.77
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.64
|year precipitation inch = 20.20
|Jan snow inch = 5.1
|Feb snow inch = 8.0
|Mar snow inch = 5.0
|Apr snow inch = 5.3
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 1.3
|Nov snow inch = 6.3
|Dec snow inch = 6.2
|year snow inch = 37.2
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 5.9
|Feb precipitation days = 5.8
|Mar precipitation days = 5.6
|Apr precipitation days = 8.7
|May precipitation days = 11.0
|Jun precipitation days = 11.4
|Jul precipitation days = 9.1
|Aug precipitation days = 7.9
|Sep precipitation days = 6.4
|Oct precipitation days = 6.8
|Nov precipitation days = 5.3
|Dec precipitation days = 5.6
|year precipitation days = 89.5
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 5.6
|Feb snow days = 5.3
|Mar snow days = 3.3
|Apr snow days = 2.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.7
|Nov snow days = 3.9
|Dec snow days = 5.2
|year snow days = 26.0
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web 
|title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data 
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=abr 
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
|access-date = October 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>{{cite web 
|title = Station: Pierre RGNL AP, SD 
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00024025&format=pdf 
|work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) 
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
|access-date = October 13, 2021
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230703145433/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00024025&format=pdf
|archive-date = 2023-07-03}}</ref>
|date=December 2010}}

{{Graph:Weather monthly history
| table=ncei.noaa.gov/weather/Pierre, South Dakota.tab
| title=Pierre monthly weather statistics
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 3235
|1900= 2306
|1910= 3656
|1920= 3209
|1930= 3659
|1940= 4322
|1950= 5715
|1960= 10088
|1970= 9699
|1980= 11973
|1990= 12906
|2000= 13876
|2010= 13646
|2020= 14091
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref><br>2018 Estimate<ref name="2018 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 28, 2020}}{{dead link|date=April 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:46&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 15, 2022}}</ref>
}}
Pierre is the principal city of the [[Pierre micropolitan area]], which includes all of Hughes and [[Stanley County, South Dakota|Stanley]] counties.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 21, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 13,646 people, 5,778 households, and 3,463 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1044.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 6,159 housing units at an average density of {{convert|471.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 85.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 10.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.5% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 5,778 households, of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 39.3 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 13,876 people, 5,567 households, and 3,574 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1,065.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 5,949 housing units at an average density of {{convert|457.0|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 88.91% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.20% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 8.56% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.46% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.29% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.56% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanics]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latinos]] of any race were 1.25% of the population.

There were 5,567 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35, and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $42,962, and the median income for a family was $52,144. Males had a median income of $32,969 versus $22,865 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,462. About 5.5% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The [[Pierre School District]], the school district covering the city,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st46_sd/schooldistrict_maps/c46065_hughes/DC20SD_C46065.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hughes County, SD|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-03-13}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st46_sd/schooldistrict_maps/c46065_hughes/DC20SD_C46065_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> oversees three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school, [[T. F. Riggs High School]]. St. Joseph is a private Catholic elementary school. It is administered by the local parish and the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls|Diocese of Sioux Falls]]. Other schools include For His Glory and the [[Pierre Indian Learning Center]] (a tribal school affiliated with the [[Bureau of Indian Education]]).

==Media==
===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
!align="center" colspan="2"|'''Television'''
|+ align=bottom | 
| Channel<br>([[ATSC|Digital]])
| [[Callsign]]

|-
|7.1||[[KTTW|K14IO-D]]
|-
|11.1||[[KELO-TV|KPLO-LD]]
|-
|11.2||[[KELO-TV|KPLO-LD]]
|-
|13.1||[[KSFY-TV|KPRY]]
|-
|13.2||[[KSFY-TV|KPRY]]
|-
|13.3||[[KSFY-TV|KPRY]]
|-
|34.1||[[Three Angels Broadcasting Network|K34GM-D]]
|-
|46.1||[[KDLT|K27HJ-D]]
|-
|46.2||[[KDLT|K27HJ-D]]
|-
|}

===AM radio===
{| class="wikitable"
!align="center" colspan="6"|[[AM radio]] stations
|-
!Frequency!!Call sign
|-
|1060 AM||[[KGFX (AM)|KGFX]]
|-
|1240 AM||[[KCCR (AM)|KCCR]]
|}

===FM radio===
{|class="wikitable"
!align="center" colspan="2"|[[FM radio]] stations
|-
!Frequency!!Call sign
|-
|89.1 FM||[[VCY America|KVFL]]
|-
|89.5 FM||[[WJFM|K208FM]]
|-
|90.3 FM||[[KSLT|KSLP]]
|-
|91.7 FM||[[South Dakota Public Broadcasting|KTSD]]
|-
|92.7 FM||[[KGFX-FM]]
|-
|94.5 FM||[[KPLO-FM]]
|-
|95.3 FM||[[KLXS]]
|-
|96.3 FM||[[South Dakota Public Broadcasting|K242CH]]
|-
|98.9 FM||[[KCCR (AM)|K255DE]]
|-
|100.1 FM||[[KJBI]]
|-
|100.5 FM||[[KPLO-FM|K263AW]]
|-
|104.5 FM||[[KCCR-FM]]
|-
|105.1 FM||[[KPGN-LP]]
|-
|107.1 FM||[[KGFX (AM)|K296FI]]
|}

===Newspaper===
The ''[[Capital Journal]]'' is the local newspaper and has been in circulation since 1881. OaheTV is the local public/education/government cable channel serving Pierre, Fort Pierre on Midcontinent Communications Cable.

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
Public transit is provided by [[River Cities Public Transit (South Dakota)|River Cities Public Transit]].

[[Pierre Regional Airport]] is served by one commercial airline.

Although in the center of the state, Pierre is one of only four state capitals not served by an Interstate highway (along with [[Dover, Delaware]], [[Jefferson City, Missouri]], and [[Juneau, Alaska]]). It is the only one that is not served by any expressways.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/data/page07.cfm|title=The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways - Part VII - Miscellaneous Interstate Facts|publisher=Federal Highway Administration|access-date=June 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716025219/https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/data/page07.cfm|archive-date=July 16, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The nearest [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate highway]] is [[Interstate 90]], about {{cvt|34|mi}} south of Pierre via the four-lane [[U.S. Route 83|U.S. Highway 83]].<ref>John E. Miller, ''Looking for History on Highway 14'' (Pierre: South Dakota State Historical Society Press,
2001)</ref>

The [[Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad]] runs east–west through the city. The railroad crosses the Missouri River on the [[Chicago and North Western Railroad Bridge]].

==Notable people==
* [[Angela Aames]], actress
* [[Floyd Bannister]], [[Major League Baseball]] player
* [[Joseph Bottum (author)|Joseph Bottum]], writer
* [[Robert Gleckler]], actor
* [[Dusty Johnson]], U.S. representative from South Dakota
* [[Byron S. Payne]], [[Attorney General of South Dakota]]<ref name="Funeral">{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=June 1, 1949 |title=Byron S. Payne Funeral Friday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56571695/payne-funeral/ |work=The Daily Plainsman |location=Huron, SD |page=6 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
* [[Rex Robbins]], actor
* [[Mike Rounds]], U.S. senator from South Dakota and former governor of South Dakota (resident of Fort Pierre).
* [[John Thune]], U.S. senator from South Dakota<ref>{{Cite web |title=THUNE, John |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/T000250 |access-date=November 10, 2025 |website=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
In 2015, in honor of the 80th anniversary of the "[[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]" board game, [[Hasbro]] held an online vote to determine which cities should be included in an updated version of the "Here and Now: The US Edition" of the game. The top "Boardwalk" spot went to an unexpected contender: Pierre. It received the most votes, beating New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.<ref>{{cite news |last=Burbach |first=Kevin |title=Pierre Gets Top Spot on New Monopoly Game |url=http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2015/03/19/pierre-gets-top-spot-new-monopoly-game/25014425/ |newspaper=[[Argus Leader]] |date=March 19, 2015 |access-date=March 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Monopoly |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/votemonopoly |url-status=dead |work=BuzzFeed |access-date=April 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320130845/http://www.buzzfeed.com/votemonopoly |archive-date=March 20, 2016 |df=dmy-all}}{{unreliable source?|date=December 2023}}</ref> The outcome may have been influenced by the image that accompanied the name of the city in the balloting: the well-known [[Mount Rushmore]], which is 150 miles west of Pierre, in [[Keystone, South Dakota|Keystone]] and the Black Hills section of the state.<ref>{{cite web |title=Distance between Pierre, SD and Keystone, SD |url=http://www.distance-cities.com/distance-pierre-sd-to-keystone-sd |url-status=dead |website=www.distance-cities.com |access-date=June 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611021146/http://www.distance-cities.com/distance-pierre-sd-to-keystone-sd |archive-date=June 11, 2016}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{EB1911 poster|Pierre}}
*[http://www.pierre.org Pierre Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://www.pierre.sd.gov Pierre city government official website]
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Pierre}}

{{Pierre, South Dakota}}
{{Hughes County, South Dakota}}
{{SouthDakota}}
{{United States state capitals}}
{{Midwestern United States}}
{{South Dakota county seats}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Pierre, South Dakota| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1880]]
[[Category:Cities in South Dakota]]
[[Category:County seats in South Dakota]]
[[Category:Pierre, South Dakota micropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in Hughes County, South Dakota]]
[[Category:South Dakota populated places on the Missouri River]]
[[Category:1880 establishments in Dakota Territory]]
[[Category:State capitals in the United States]]