Population116,792 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
A Civic Center Beyond An Earlier Mining Camp
Pennington County, South DakotaRapid City anchors Pennington County, but the earlier seat at Sheridan belongs to a different chapter of the Black Hills story. The county’s historical resources connect mining, changing government locations and later landscape transformations with places that remain recognizable today. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 116,792 residents in Pennington County, South Dakota, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 2,777 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Pennington County at a Glance
Population116,792 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)County SeatRapid CityEstablished1875 (organized; NACo County Explorer)Total Area, Including Water2,784.459 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)Area Codes605
Discover Pennington County
Pennington County
Pennington County was created in the Dakota territorial period and named for John L. Pennington. Sheridan served as its first seat before the move to Rapid City in 1878. The former mining settlement was later covered by Sheridan Lake, giving the county-seat story an unusual relationship with the present landscape. The lake's creation changed what could be seen of the former seat, making historical interpretation essential. The relationship between the two places is therefore partly a story of a transformed landscape.
Begin in Rapid City for the civic setting, then use historical interpretation to understand the former Sheridan site. The old town is not a standing historic district. County history and current lake information serve different purposes when planning an outing around this story. A town stop and a lake-area outing can illustrate different periods of change. Use a current public access point and historical maps to understand the former settlement's relationship with the water.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Rapid City anchors Pennington County, but the earlier seat at Sheridan belongs to a different chapter of the Black Hills story.
Community History
Pennington County was created in the Dakota territorial period and named for John L. Pennington. Sheridan served as its first seat before the move to Rapid City in 1878.
Explore Locally
Begin in Rapid City for the civic setting, then use historical interpretation to understand the former Sheridan site. The old town is not a standing historic district.
Discover the earlier places beneath a familiar county landscape.
A Closer Look
Pennington County
Places and perspectives from Pennington County
County Guide
Brown County
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Read the Story ExploreAround Pennington County
Stories from every corner of Pennington County.
Brown County
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Butte County
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Custer County
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Fall River County
Hot Springs anchors Fall River County, whose government developed during the Dakota territorial period. The county's earlier Forsythe name adds a useful historical distinction, while its separate administrative…
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Lawrence County
Deadwood anchors Lawrence County on South Dakota's western border, while Lead, Spearfish and Whitewood provide other community identities. The county's name recalls its first treasurer, and its historical…
ExploreCounty Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Patriot Elementary -06 – Elementary; grades PK-03. 421 Don WIlliams Dr, Box Elder, SD 57719. 605-923-0080.
Hill City Elementary – 02 – Elementary; grades PK-05. 341 Main St, Hill City, SD 57745. 605-574-3015.
New Underwood Elementary – 02 – Elementary; grades KG-05. 300 E Ash St, New Underwood, SD 57761. 605-754-6485.
Corral Drive Elementary – 21 – Elementary; grades KG-05. 3736 Corral Dr, Rapid City, SD 57702. 605-394-6789.
Wall Elementary – 02 – Elementary; grades KG-05. 401 S Blvd W, Wall, SD 57790. 605-279-2156.
Douglas High School – 03 – High; grades 09-12. 420 Patriot Dr, Box Elder, SD 57719. 605-923-0030.
Douglas Middle School – 01 – Middle; grades 06-08. 691 Tower Rd, Box Elder, SD 57719. 605-923-0050.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Black Hills Surgical Hospital Llc – Acute Care Hospitals. 216 Anamaria Dr, Rapid City, SD 57703. 605-721-4700.
Monument Health Rapid City Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 353 Fairmont Blvd, Rapid City, SD 57701. 605-755-1000.
Same Day Surgery Center Llc – Acute Care Hospitals. 651 Cathedral Drive, Rapid City, SD 57701. 605-755-9900.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Hill City Public Library – 341 Main St, Hill City, SD 57745. 605-574-4529.
Keystone Town Library – 1101 Madill St, Keystone, SD 57751. 605-666-4499.
Rapid City Public Library – 610 Quincy Street, Rapid City, SD 57701. 605-394-6139.
Wall Community Library – 407 Main St, Wall, SD 57790. 605-279-2929.
Motor Vehicle Services
South Dakota — Vehicle titles and registration
South Dakota — Driver license locations and hours
South Dakota — Schedule a driver license renewal appointment
South Dakota — Renew a driver license in person
South Dakota — Revenue online services including vehicle renewals
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Pennington County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Pennington County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
116,792 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
2,784.459 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Board of Commissioners, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Emergency Management Users Board, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Employment, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Sheriff’s Office Jobs, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Motor Vehicle Title & License, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Veteran Services, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
Pennington County was created in the Dakota territorial period and named for John L. Pennington. Sheridan served as its first seat before the move to Rapid City in 1878. The former mining settlement was later covered by Sheridan Lake, giving the county-seat story an unusual relationship with the present landscape. The lake's creation changed what could be seen of the former seat, making historical interpretation essential. The relationship between the two places is therefore partly a story of a transformed landscape.
Begin in Rapid City for the civic setting, then use historical interpretation to understand the former Sheridan site. The old town is not a standing historic district. County history and current lake information serve different purposes when planning an outing around this story. A town stop and a lake-area outing can illustrate different periods of change. Use a current public access point and historical maps to understand the former settlement's relationship with the water.
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