South Dakota: State Flag, Bird and Facts
South Dakota's state bird is the ring-necked pheasant, and the pasque flower is its state flower.
- Capital
- Pierre
- Nickname
- The Mount Rushmore State
- State bird
- Ring-necked pheasant
- State flower
- Pasque flower
- State tree
- Black Hills spruce
- Admitted
- November 2, 1889
- Population
- 886,667 (2020 census)
- Motto
- Under God the people rule
- Region
- Midwest
- Area
- 199,729 km² (77,116 sq mi)
- Highest point
- Black Elk Peak (7,244 ft)
About South Dakota
The Missouri River splits South Dakota into two halves that locals call East River and West River, and each side has its own feel. The state is named for the Dakota Sioux. Pierre is the capital, while Sioux Falls, with about 213,900 people, is the largest city. Gold strikes in the Black Hills and new railroads brought a surge of settlers in the late 19th century.
South and North Dakota became states on the same day in 1889. President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the papers before signing so nobody could tell which came first. The sky blue flag holds a navy and white state seal ringed by gold triangles for the sun's rays. Gold capital letters read South Dakota across the top and The Mount Rushmore State along the bottom.
Did you know?
- Black Elk Peak is the highest point in South Dakota, at 7,244 feet.
- South Dakota's flag once said the sunshine state until a 1992 change.
- The Black Hills spruce is the official state tree of South Dakota.
Questions about South Dakota
What is South Dakota's nickname?
The official nickname is The Mount Rushmore State, adopted in 1980 to replace the Coyote State.
When did South Dakota become a state?
South Dakota was admitted on November 2, 1889, the same day as North Dakota.
Sources
- Wikidata Q1211, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: South Dakota, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Flag of South Dakota, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.