Population Update, Report Number 4

The preliminary report* from the 1980 U.S. Census for South Dakota shows that the state\u27s population increased 21,960 persons, or 3.3%, from 1970 to 1980. Significant changes have taken place in South Dakota\u27s population during this past decade. Basic changes have occurred primarily in birth rate and migration. In the 1950\u27s South Dakota experienced a small population increase (4.3%, Table 1) in spite of a high loss through out-migration. The out-migration was compensated for by the high birth rate of the “baby boom.” By 1960 the baby boom had peaked; and the lower fertility of the 1960\u27s, together with a continued high rate of out-migration, gave South Dakota a population loss for the 60\u27s of 2.1%. The 1970\u27s present a different picture. During this decade the birth rate continued at a relatively low level. However, a dramatic reduction in net out-migration during the 70\u27s was sufficient to give South Dakota a population increase of 3.3% in spite of the low fertility. (See more in text