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South Dakota

South Dakota, Mount Rushmore State

Known as the Mt. Rushmore State, there is so much more to this state than one of the most well known National Monuments. With trips here in 2002, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017, it’s safe to say South Dakota has been one of my favorite states to visit.

Also known as state favorable to banking, it is also quite favorable to the three most popular crops grown in the US; corn, soybeans, and wheat. It is also ranked 5th in the country for total number of cattle, making up about 6% of the country’s total. Ironically there are over twice as many cattle as people in South Dakota (1.8 million to 884k); a distinction only neighboring Wyoming has, although barely over 1 to 1 cattle to person.

Like most states with many rural counties, South Dakota has seen population loss in 38 out of its 66 counties between 2010 & 2019. Another factor affecting rural South Dakota, as well as many of the plain state is an aging population. In 2016 the rural population over the age of 65 was 18%. While not enormously above average (Illinois for example is at 15.6%) the worrying trend is that number rose 22% since the year 2000. 

As with all rural communities, when your senior center is getting more incoming bodies than your local schools sustaining a future for a town becomes harder.

Video - Fly Over Country - The Dakotas

Images from South Dakota

Posts about South Dakota

Behind The Photo: Main Street, Buffalo Gap, South Dakota

August 4, 2019 / Vincent D. Johnson
Sometimes I’m Just Lucky Every now and again you just luck out. There’s a part of me that wishes Buffalo Gap, South Dakota had slot machines at the local bar
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Population Decline; The Hardest Hit Counties In Each State Since 1990

April 11, 2017 / Vincent D. Johnson
Since 1990 These Counties Are The Hardest Hit By Population Decline In Their State The 1990s are a significant time for Lost Americana, which goes beyond the fact that during that decade
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A (Rail) Road Runs Through It

February 17, 2016 / Vincent D. Johnson
The Railroad, Farmers and America I’ve really had two loves when it comes to photographing the ruins of the early twentieth century. The towns & farms of our agricultural society
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Lost Americana is about telling the stories of the people who live in rural America.

•Have you lived in the same rural area since the 1970/80s?

•Were you the last class to graduate from a rural school before it closed its doors forever?

•Do you know of a small town (under 2,000 people) that is a shell of it’s former self?

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