Pierre is South Dakota's capital city, located at the geographic center of the state on the Missouri River, serving as a government center and trading hub with historic significance from the railroad era and access to recreational opportunities.
14,091
(2020 census)1880
Capital since 188911th Largest
2nd Least Populous CapitalMissouri River
Geographic center of SDPierre is the capital of South Dakota and the county seat of Hughes County, with a population of 14,091 (2020 census). The city is the eleventh-most populous city in South Dakota and the second-least populous U.S. state capital (after Montpelier, Vermont). Located on the eastern bank of the Missouri River in the geographic center of South Dakota, Pierre serves as the political and administrative hub of the state. The city was founded in 1880 as the western terminus of the Chicago and North Western Railway and named for Pierre Chouteau Jr., a fur trader and entrepreneur. Pierre was selected as South Dakota's capital when the state achieved statehood on November 2, 1889, and residents voted for Pierre as the capital three times—in 1889, 1890, and 1904. Located a few miles from Lake Oahe, one of the world's largest man-made lakes developed for flood control and irrigation, Pierre serves as the major trading center for central South Dakota with an economy supported by state government, agriculture, recreational activities, and small businesses.
Trading Post Era: The area's history extends back to the early 1800s. The first permanent settlement was a fur-trading post built in 1817 on the western side of the Missouri River (in what is now Fort Pierre). In 1832, the American Fur Company established Fort Pierre at the site, which became a major trading post for the middle Missouri River region until 1855, when it was sold to the U.S. Army. This trading post heritage established the area as an important commercial center for the upper Great Plains fur trade.
Founded as Railroad Town: Pierre was officially founded in 1880 on the eastern bank of the Missouri River as the western terminus of the Chicago and North Western Railway. Named for Pierre Chouteau Jr., a prominent fur trader and entrepreneur, the city boomed with the arrival of the railroad, becoming an important commercial center for the local farm and ranch economy. During the Black Hills gold rush (1876-1885), Pierre served as a critical transportation and freighting outpost for miners and supplies destined for the gold fields.
Designated as Capital: Pierre was designated as South Dakota's state capital on November 2, 1889, when South Dakota achieved statehood. The citizens demonstrated strong support for the capital selection, voting for Pierre in 1889, 1890, and 1904. The city was selected for its geographic centrality within the state, positioning it as an ideal administrative center.
South Dakota State Capitol: The South Dakota State Capitol is a four-story Neoclassical building with English and Italian Renaissance features, designed by the Minneapolis architectural firm Bell & Detweiler. The building was constructed between 1905 and 1910 at a cost of almost $1 million, with an additional annex added in 1932. The Capitol features distinctive architectural elements including a copper dome, Corinthian columns, and walls of rusticated granite and Bedford limestone. The granite foundation rests on boulders collected from the surrounding prairie, with the first level using Marquette Raindrop sandstone and upper stories of Bedford limestone. The building has a central rotunda flanked by legislative wings, designed with similarities to the U.S. Capitol. Italian workers laid the terrazzo tile floors, and the interior is adorned with scagliola columns, stained glass windows, statues, and artwork. Under the dome in the rotunda, four large round paintings feature Greek goddesses symbolizing South Dakota's major themes: agriculture, livestock, mining, and family.
Pierre is situated on the Missouri River at the geographic center of South Dakota, positioned between the Black Hills to the west and the prairie lands to the east. Located just a few miles from Lake Oahe, one of the world's largest man-made reservoirs with more than 2,000 miles of shoreline, Pierre offers access to exceptional water recreation and natural beauty.
Government Employment: Pierre's economy depends largely on state government, which has its major operations in the city and is the largest local employer. As the capital, Pierre serves as the hub for South Dakota's government operations and policy-making.
Major Employers and Business: The largest private employer is St. Mary's Hospital with 485 employees. Small businesses and tourism tied to Missouri River and Lake Oahe recreation provide additional sources of jobs and income. The city serves as the major trading center for central South Dakota with a retail area radius of approximately 100 miles serving about 100,000 people.
Income and Economic Health: According to the US Census Bureau, the median household income in 2022 was $80,473, one of the highest figures in the state, reflecting stable economic conditions. The city's financial health is evident in its 2025 budget of approximately $60 million, with emphasis on public safety, streets, and parks expenditures.
Economic Development: Development assistance and financing programs are offered by the Pierre Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) and the Economic Development Administration. Free business consultation and a local revolving loan fund have helped dozens of new businesses get started and existing businesses expand. The South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development works to create jobs and support companies through retention, expansion, and succession programs. Targeted recruitment industries include Bioscience, Cybersecurity, Manufacturing, Precision Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Value-Added Agriculture.
Pierre's primary higher education institution is the Capital University Center (CUC), which has served the region since 1982 and opened the Wallace R. Halverson Education Building in 2009. The CUC offers associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees from South Dakota regental universities through evening and weekend face-to-face classes as well as online courses, making education accessible for working adults and students with busy schedules.
Lake Area Technical College has partnered with the Capital City Campus in Pierre to offer academic opportunities to Pierre, Fort Pierre, and area high school and college-bound students. In 2023, students completed 30 education and teaching-related degree programs offered by colleges and universities serving the Pierre area.
Pierre was designated as South Dakota's capital on November 2, 1889, when South Dakota achieved statehood. Citizens voted for Pierre as the capital three times—in 1889, 1890, and 1904. The city was selected for its geographic centrality within the state.
Pierre was named for Pierre Chouteau Jr., a prominent fur trader and entrepreneur who played an important role in the North American fur trade. The city was founded in 1880 as the western terminus of the Chicago and North Western Railway.
The South Dakota State Capitol is a four-story Neoclassical building with English and Italian Renaissance features designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Bell & Detweiler, built between 1905 and 1910. Notable features include a copper dome, Corinthian columns, rusticated granite and Bedford limestone walls, scagliola columns, stained glass windows, and terrazzo tile floors laid by Italian workers. The interior rotunda features four large round paintings of Greek goddesses symbolizing agriculture, livestock, mining, and family.
Pierre features the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center (33,000+ artifacts, closed for renovation until mid-2026), South Dakota National Guard Museum, South Dakota Discovery Center (60+ hands-on exhibits), Lewis and Clark Family Center, Verendrye Museum in Fort Pierre, Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center Museum, and the Fort Pierre Depot Museum housed in a restored 1906 railroad depot.
Pierre offers excellent outdoor recreation including Lake Oahe (one of the world's largest man-made lakes with 2,000+ miles of shoreline) for boating, sailing, fishing, and water skiing; Missouri River activities; Farm Island and LaFramboise Island parks; Cow Creek Recreation Area for water sports; and multiple campgrounds and RV facilities throughout the area.
Lake Oahe is one of the world's largest man-made reservoirs located a few miles from Pierre on the Missouri River, featuring more than 2,000 miles of shoreline with clear waters. Activities include boating, sailing, fishing, water skiing, diving, camping, and swimming, making it a major recreation destination for the region.
During the Black Hills Gold Rush (1876-1885), Pierre served as a critical transportation and freighting outpost for miners and supplies destined for the gold fields. This role established Pierre as an important commercial center during a significant period in South Dakota history.
The first permanent settlement was a fur-trading post built in 1817 on the western side of the Missouri River (in what is now Fort Pierre). In 1832, the American Fur Company established Fort Pierre at the site, which became a major trading post for the middle Missouri River region until 1855 when it was sold to the U.S. Army, establishing the area's commercial heritage.
Last updated on November 24, 2025