June 4, 2013
Courts Uphold National Forest's Pine Beetle Plan

The Black Hills National Forest's management plan has withstood several legal challenges since it was adopted in 1990.

A federal court in Wyoming upheld the Black Hills National Forest's management plan in regard to fighting the mountain pine beetle, reports the Rapid City Journal.

May 28, 2013
Improved Weather Brings Increased Park Usage

With spring snowstorms in the past, Memorial Day Weekend came with almost all state park campsites filled.

With spring snowstorms in the past, Memorial Day Weekend came with almost all state park campsites filled. According to the Rapid City Journal, 270,000 camping units were filled in 2012, and parks director Doug Hofer believed they would hit that level or higher in 2013.

The Black Hills region is home to four state parks and recreation areas.

May 28, 2013
Improved Weather Brings Increased Park Usage

With spring snowstorms in the past, Memorial Day Weekend came with almost all state park campsites filled.

With spring snowstorms in the past, Memorial Day Weekend came with almost all state park campsites filled. According to the Rapid City Journal, 270,000 camping units were filled in 2012, and parks director Doug Hofer believed they would hit that level or higher in 2013.

The Black Hills region is home to four state parks and recreation areas.

May 15, 2013
Aging State Population Part of Global Trend

Over the next 20 years, the number of South Dakota adults over age 65 is projected to increase from 14.3% to 23.2% of the population.

 

South Dakota is aging faster than the nation as a whole, with 14.3 percent of the state's population over age 65 compared to 13 percent nationally, according to a report from iGrow, a service of South Dakota State University Extension. (The full report is attached to this post.)

By 2035, the counties of Campbell, Custer, Fall River, Gregory, Haakon, Jerauld, McPherson, Perkins, Potter and Walworth are expected to have 1 in 10 people over the age of 85.

May 15, 2013
Aging State Population Part of Global Trend

Over the next 20 years, the number of South Dakota adults over age 65 is projected to increase from 14.3% to 23.2% of the population.

 

South Dakota is aging faster than the nation as a whole, with 14.3 percent of the state's population over age 65 compared to 13 percent nationally, according to a report from iGrow, a service of South Dakota State University Extension. (The full report is attached to this post.)

By 2035, the counties of Campbell, Custer, Fall River, Gregory, Haakon, Jerauld, McPherson, Perkins, Potter and Walworth are expected to have 1 in 10 people over the age of 85.

May 10, 2013
Housing Cost Burden in Black Hills, State

More Black Hills households have struggled with housing costs than the state as a whole.

Cost Burden At-a-Glance

 

May 8, 2013
Homeownership Rates in the Black Hills and South Dakota

South Dakota's rate of homeownership is above the national average, but the Black Hills rate is lower than the state as a whole.

 

Use the down arrow on the "Breakdown" bar at the top of the chart to see other ways to break the data down. Western South Dakota counties, for example, can be seen by choosing the "By county map" option.

Overview

At 68.5 percent, South Dakota's rate of homeownership ranks 18th nationally.

May 5, 2013
Increase in Suicide Rates in South Dakota and Wyoming Among Highest in Nation

Suicide rates rose 48 percent in South Dakota between 1999 and 2010, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Wyoming, with 31.1 suicides per 100,000 population, had the highest rate in the country.

 

Suicide rates rose 48 percent in South Dakota between 1999 and 2010, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Wyoming, with 31.1 suicides per 100,000 population, had the highest rate in the country, up 78.8 percent between 1999 and 2010. Nationally, suicides exceeded deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents in 2009. 

May 5, 2013
Increase in Suicide Rates in South Dakota and Wyoming Among Highest in Nation

Suicide rates rose 48 percent in South Dakota between 1999 and 2010, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Wyoming, with 31.1 suicides per 100,000 population, had the highest rate in the country.

 

Suicide rates rose 48 percent in South Dakota between 1999 and 2010, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Center for Disease Control. Wyoming, with 31.1 suicides per 100,000 population, had the highest rate in the country, up 78.8 percent between 1999 and 2010. Nationally, suicides exceeded deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents in 2009. 

April 17, 2013
Offensive Geographical Names to be Replaced in Black Hills

The geographical "Negro" names are on their way out in South Dakota.

Five Black Hills geographic features with offensive names will be renamed by the state.  The South Dakota Board on Geographic Names will accept new name suggestions online or by mail.  Read the full article in the Rapid City Journal and

April 17, 2013
Offensive Geographical Names to be Replaced in Black Hills

The geographical "Negro" names are on their way out in South Dakota.

Five Black Hills geographic features with offensive names will be renamed by the state.  The South Dakota Board on Geographic Names will accept new name suggestions online or by mail.  Read the full article in the Rapid City Journal and

April 14, 2013
Health Insurance by Racial and Ethnic Group

South Dakota's Native Americans are among those with the highest rates of being uninsured.

 

 

 

April 14, 2013
Health Insurance Data Breakdown

Young adults, rural residents and Native Americans have the highest rates of being uninsured in South Dakota.

 

Use the down arrow on the "Breakdown" bar at the top of the chart to see other ways to break the data down. You can see the data regarding western South Dakota under the "By county map" option, for example.

 

April 14, 2013
Health Insurance Rates in South Dakota

South Dakota's highest rates of people lacking health insurance can be found in young adults, Native Americans and rural residents.

 

Overview 

South Dakota's highest rates of people lacking health insurance can be found in young adults, Native Americans and rural residents.

Senior citizens and children, both eligible for federal healthcare coverage, have the lowest rates of being uninsured, 0.4 and 6 percent respectively.

April 4, 2013
Index of Data Sources on the Black Hills Knowledge Network

The Black Hills Knowledge Network provides interactive, dynamic graphs that break down data into various subsets. This index provides links to the graphs on our site.

Follow these links to see interactive, dynamic graphs that offer several breakdowns of data in the categories listed.

Age

Diabetes

Disability

Economic output (GDP)

March 26, 2013
Another Hungry Beetle Eating into Black Hills Trees

Black Hills forest assaulted by engraver beetles in the spring and mountain pine beetles in the summer.

When pine trees have plenty of moisture and are not stressed, pine engraver beetles attack only the limbs and tops of the trees.

March 18, 2013
Black Hills Counties Among Nation's Fastest Growing

Meade County leads Black Hills annual population growth at 2 percent. Pennington County banks the highest number at 1,841.

 

With its 2 percent population growth from 2011 to 2012, Meade County surpassed the national rate of 0.7 percent and the state rate of 1.2 percent, according to data released by the US Census Bureau.

The county-by-county data shows that, in the Black Hills region, only Butte County lost population. The data covered the year ending July 1, 2012, and compared to the previous year's population.

March 18, 2013
Black Hills Counties Among Nation's Fastest Growing

Meade County leads Black Hills annual population growth at 2 percent. Pennington County banks the highest number at 1,841.

 

With its 2 percent population growth from 2011 to 2012, Meade County surpassed the national rate of 0.7 percent and the state rate of 1.2 percent, according to data released by the US Census Bureau.

The county-by-county data shows that, in the Black Hills region, only Butte County lost population. The data covered the year ending July 1, 2012, and compared to the previous year's population.

March 12, 2013
Chiesman Finds Older Donors Give Online

Survey finds Black Hills residents 55 and older are the most likely age group to donate to charities online.

 

Leaders of nonprofit organizations should target older donors online by focusing on search engine optimization and making sure the "Donate" button is easily found, according to the Black Hills Philanthropy Study recently released by the Chiesman Center for Democracy.

The study also found that the more people volunteer for an organization, the more likely they are to donate to it.

March 12, 2013
Chiesman Finds Older Donors Give Online

Survey finds Black Hills residents 55 and older are the most likely age group to donate to charities online.

 

Leaders of nonprofit organizations should target older donors online by focusing on search engine optimization and making sure the "Donate" button is easily found, according to the Black Hills Philanthropy Study recently released by the Chiesman Center for Democracy.

The study also found that the more people volunteer for an organization, the more likely they are to donate to it.

March 12, 2013
State Sends $2 Million for Pine Beetle Fight

Gov. Daugaard signs bill to make money available immediately for counties.

 

The state will match county spending two-to-one for any county money spent after Jan. 1, 2013. No single county can receive more than 55 percent of the total state funds, according to the press release issued about the bill.

Read the bill, HB1050.

Learn more about the state of South Dakota's efforts to fight pine beetles at its Beat the Beetle site.

March 12, 2013
State Sends $2 Million for Pine Beetle Fight

Gov. Daugaard signs bill to make money available immediately for counties.

 

The state will match county spending two-to-one for any county money spent after Jan. 1, 2013. No single county can receive more than 55 percent of the total state funds, according to the press release issued about the bill.

Read the bill, HB1050.

Learn more about the state of South Dakota's efforts to fight pine beetles at its Beat the Beetle site.

March 8, 2013
Scholarship Programs Approved by SD Legislature

Scholarships would aid students with financial need and promote teachers in fields of critical need.

The SD Senate voted unanimously to accept House bill changes that will create two scholarships.  One measure would set up an awards program based on students' financial needs.  A second scholarship would target college students who agree to teach in critically needed fields.  Read the full article and

March 8, 2013
Scholarship Programs Approved by SD Legislature

Scholarships would aid students with financial need and promote teachers in fields of critical need.

The SD Senate voted unanimously to accept House bill changes that will create two scholarships.  One measure would set up an awards program based on students' financial needs.  A second scholarship would target college students who agree to teach in critically needed fields.  Read the full article and

March 7, 2013
School Sentinel Bill One Step Closer to Becoming State Law

SD House of Representatives vote 40-19 FOR school sentinel bill.

A bill which gives school boards the authority to allow armed sentinels in school buildings is now before Governor Daugaard awaiting his signature.  Educators remain unconvinced the legislation is needed.

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