There are a lot of small communities in South Dakota and today we want to honor them! These 11 places may be some of the smallest towns in South Dakota, but they are full of charm, beauty, and friendly folks who will welcome you with open arms.
- Bonesteel
Julie Puetz / Facebook With only 271 residents, Bonesteel definitely qualifies as a tiny town. The whole town, which is located alongside the beautiful Missouri River, sits on only .35 square miles of land. Address: Bonesteel, SD 57317
- Henry
Double Barrel Steakhouse / Facebook Even though the first post office opened in Henry in 1879, the town has only grown to 268 people. (In case you’re wondering, the Henry post office is still in operation!) Address: Henry, SD 57243
- Gayville
Gayville Hall - Home of Old Time Music / Facebook With a population of 406, not many folks have heard of Gayville. The town’s Old Time Music Hall is its claim to fame. Address: Gayville, SD 57031
- Kennebec
city-data.com / colin holloway Situated on I-90, Kennebec is home to only 242 residents. Despite the smaller population, Kennebec is the Lyman County seat and houses the gorgeous 1925 courthouse. Address: Kennebec, SD 57544
- New Effington
city-data.com / Gigi Gallion This small town boasts 260 big-hearted residents. This town is the home of the Country Tractor Run which raises money for Make A Wish Foundation. Address: New Effington, SD 57255
- Toronto
city-data.com 213 people call Toronto home. Not to be confused with the capital of Quebec, Toronto, South Dakota has its own tractor repair shop, auto body shop, church and more. Address: Toronto, SD 57268
- Alpena
United Parish of Alpena / Facebook This town of only 282 people sits between the bigger towns of Huron and Mitchell. It is charming and perfectly situated close to shopping and entertainment. Address: Alpena, SD 57312
- Colome
city-data.com / William Allum With a population of 286, Colome is a tiny town you’ve definitely never heard of. But how adorable is its main street? Address: Colome, SD 57528
- Egan
Boars Nest / Facebook Though Egan only has 275 residents, it attracts pheasant hunters from across the region. Address: Edgan, SD 57024
- Bruce
city-data.com / robert j harrenga Can you believe there are more tiny towns? Next on our list is Bruce. Home to 205 people, the town was originally known as “Lie,” but later re-named for unknown reasons. Address: Bruce, SD 57220
- Faith
city-data.com With a population of 421, Faith is know as the “Prairie Oasis” by those who have actually heard of this small town. When you visit Faith, make sure to check out its many festivals, parks, and tribute to Sue: the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton known, that was discovered just 15 miles away. Address: Faith, SD 57626
Quick Hits: Smallest Towns in South Dakota By Annie Sandmeier
Julie Puetz / Facebook
With only 271 residents, Bonesteel definitely qualifies as a tiny town. The whole town, which is located alongside the beautiful Missouri River, sits on only .35 square miles of land. Address: Bonesteel, SD 57317
Double Barrel Steakhouse / Facebook
Even though the first post office opened in Henry in 1879, the town has only grown to 268 people. (In case you’re wondering, the Henry post office is still in operation!) Address: Henry, SD 57243
Gayville Hall - Home of Old Time Music / Facebook
With a population of 406, not many folks have heard of Gayville. The town’s Old Time Music Hall is its claim to fame. Address: Gayville, SD 57031
city-data.com / colin holloway
Situated on I-90, Kennebec is home to only 242 residents. Despite the smaller population, Kennebec is the Lyman County seat and houses the gorgeous 1925 courthouse. Address: Kennebec, SD 57544
city-data.com / Gigi Gallion
This small town boasts 260 big-hearted residents. This town is the home of the Country Tractor Run which raises money for Make A Wish Foundation. Address: New Effington, SD 57255
city-data.com
213 people call Toronto home. Not to be confused with the capital of Quebec, Toronto, South Dakota has its own tractor repair shop, auto body shop, church and more. Address: Toronto, SD 57268
United Parish of Alpena / Facebook
This town of only 282 people sits between the bigger towns of Huron and Mitchell. It is charming and perfectly situated close to shopping and entertainment. Address: Alpena, SD 57312
city-data.com / William Allum
With a population of 286, Colome is a tiny town you’ve definitely never heard of. But how adorable is its main street? Address: Colome, SD 57528
Boars Nest / Facebook
Though Egan only has 275 residents, it attracts pheasant hunters from across the region. Address: Edgan, SD 57024
city-data.com / robert j harrenga
Can you believe there are more tiny towns? Next on our list is Bruce. Home to 205 people, the town was originally known as “Lie,” but later re-named for unknown reasons. Address: Bruce, SD 57220
With a population of 421, Faith is know as the “Prairie Oasis” by those who have actually heard of this small town. When you visit Faith, make sure to check out its many festivals, parks, and tribute to Sue: the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton known, that was discovered just 15 miles away. Address: Faith, SD 57626
What is the smallest town in South Dakota? As you have probably gathered from this article, South Dakota is chock-full of small towns and communities… but which is the smallest of all? That would be Hillsview; an incorporated McPherson County town with THREE residents (as per the 2010 Census). Once a prosperous railroad and agricultural town, Hillsview was at one time home to hundreds of residents and a handful of businesses, but began to see a population decline beginning in the mid 20th century.
How many towns are in South Dakota? In terms of incorporated towns, South Dakota is home to 312. If we count unincorporated communities, however, there are an additional 249.
How many cities are in South Dakota? Not many South Dakota towns have a population of over 10,000, but those that do are considered to be cities, the largest of which is Sioux Falls (171,544). In addition to Sioux Falls, there are another 10 designated cities, including Pierre, Rapid City, and Yankton.
What is the oldest town in South Dakota? Fort Pierre is the oldest town in South Dakota. Originally founded in 1743 (33 years before the Declaration of Independence was even signed!), Fort Pierre was staked and claimed for France by early French explorers who claimed the land by placing a metal plate in the ground. Then, in 1832, Fort Pierre became what it is best known for today: a historic fur trading post.
The best tiny towns in South Dakota are not known by many, but they are filled with charm. Which of the best small towns in South Dakota did we miss? Let us know in the comments!
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