Geography of South Dakota of the federal or state government, such as Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, and Custer State Park, are located in the state. In 2011, the population of South Dakota was estimated to be 824,082, and the state ranks fifth-lowest in both total population as well as population density in the United States. Sioux Falls, with a population of just over 170,000, is the largest city in the state. Rapid City ranks as South Dakota's second-largest city, and Pierre is the state capital. Historically a very agricultural state, the service and tourism sectors have grown in economic importance in
South Dakota Highway 253 South Dakota Highway 253 South Dakota Highway 253 (SD 253) is an state highway in the north-central part of the U.S. state of South Dakota. It exists entirely within Edmunds County, from U.S. Route 12 (US 12) west of Roscoe to SD 47 north of Bowdle. The route is maintained by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) and is not a part of the National Highway System. SD 253 begins at an intersection with US 12 near Gretna and heads north through flat farmland. It passes a railroad almost immediately and continues north. The route passes by a couple