PIERRE, (SDNW) — A recent U.S. Census Bureau report shed light on population shifts in South Dakota. The U.S. Census Bureau says 18 South Dakota cities now have populations of at least 5,000. Harrisburg, just south of Sioux Falls, grew the fastest between 2020 and 2023, with a nearly 38% increase, or more than 2,500 people. Other cities are keeping pace, including nearby Tea and Box Elder, just east of Rapid City. Box Elder, which grew by more than 16% from 2020 to 2023, will be the main base of operations and training location for the Air Force’s new bomber program, which will bring more jobs, revenue and people. Julie LeFebvre taught first grade in Brookings for 14 years before moving to Harrisburg. She likes being close to Sioux Falls, the friendly community and the education her children receive, but wishes there was a new family restaurant in town. Unlike Harrisburg and Box Elder, some cities lost population over the same three years, including Pierre, Madison, Aberdeen, Mitchell, Sturgis and Brandon. Pierre’s estimated population loss from 2020 to 2023 is one-point-three percent from 14-thousand 57 in 2020 to 13-thousand 880 in 2023.
