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Wessington, South Dakota
Welcome sign in Wessington
Welcome sign in Wessington
Location in Beadle County and the state of South Dakota
Location in Beadle County and the state of South Dakota
Country United States
State South Dakota
Counties Beadle, Hand
Incorporated 1915
Area
 • Total 0.38 sq mi (0.98 km2)
 • Land 0.38 sq mi (0.98 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,414 ft (431 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 197
 • Density 521.16/sq mi (201.35/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
57381
Area code(s) 605
FIPS code 46-70140
GNIS feature ID 1267631

Wessington is a city on the border between Beadle and Hand counties in South Dakota, United States. The population was 197 at the 2020 census.

History

A post office has been in operation in Wessington since 1882. The city took its name from the nearby Wessington Hills.

The early growth of Wessington began because it was a transshipment point for locally produced grains because of the railroad (C. & N.W. Ry. Co.). This allowed local producers lower shipping costs compared to villages further from railroads, encouraging the location of other businesses in the town. Wessington originally was located in Beadle County, and the cohesiveness the community soon led to growth into neighboring Hand County.

In 1918 there was a flourishing natural ice business that provisioned refrigerated freight cars. The cattle industry in the area has increased the market quality of the nation's cattle through improvements in herd management and adaptations to changing consumer demands. Many producers have received national recognition throughout the years.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.38 square miles (0.98 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1910 576
1920 728 26.4%
1930 681 −6.5%
1940 516 −24.2%
1950 467 −9.5%
1960 378 −19.1%
1970 380 0.5%
1980 327 −13.9%
1990 265 −19.0%
2000 248 −6.4%
2010 170 −31.5%
2020 197 15.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 170 people, 91 households, and 44 families residing in the city. The population density was 447.4 inhabitants per square mile (172.7/km2). There were 139 housing units at an average density of 365.8 per square mile (141.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.8% White and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 91 households, of which 12.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.6% were non-families. 47.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.87 and the average family size was 2.64.

The median age in the city was 53.6 years. 12.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 11.2% were from 25 to 44; 37.6% were from 45 to 64; and 30.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Wessington para niños

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