Huron (left) and Pierre (right) issued rival maps that claimed each as the best place voters should choose for the new state capital in 1890.
The first settlement at Huron was established in 1880.[9] Huron is the site of the South Dakota State Fair and of a statue called the World's Largest Pheasant.[10]
Huron was founded during railroad and land booms in the 1880s. The early history of the town is closely linked with the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. At the direction of Marvin Hughitt, general manager of the railroad, the west bank of the James River was selected as the railway's division headquarters. The company gained title to 880 acres (3.6km2) of land at that location. Huron was named for the Huron Indians.[11]
The original plat covered 11 blocks, and Huron's first settler was John Cain, a practical printer from Troy, New York. He learned in Chicago, from the railroad people, that they would have their chief town and operating headquarters at their James River crossing.[citation needed]
Beginning in 1880, Huron and Pierre vied to be selected as the state capital, until Pierre was chosen in 1904. Campbell Park and Winter Park in Huron were previously designated as properties for the capital grounds, and a city block of land between the parks with Victorian houses was originally slated for the capitol building.[12]
1881 – First town government formed - a board of four trustees, a town clerk, a justice of the peace, one marshal and a surveyor
1882 – Alderman system of government adopted
1883 – Incorporated as the City of Huron - the city still operates under the original charter and seal
1910 – Changed from alderman to city commission form of government
1935 – City manager form of government adopted
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.934 square miles (28.32km2), of which 9.846 square miles (25.50km2) is land and 1.088 square miles (2.82km2) (9.95%) is water.[3]
Climate
Huron has a humid continental climate, with hot, humid summers, cold, dry winters, and wide temperature extremes; it is part of USDA hardiness zone 4b.[14] The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from 16.0°F (−8.9°C) in January to 73.7°F (23.2°C) in July.[15] On average, there are 1.7 days that reach 100°F (38°C) or higher, 21.9 days that reach 90°F (32°C) or higher, 66.7 days that do not climb above freezing, 27.7 days with a low of 0°F (−18°C) or below, and 3.1 days that do not rise above 0°F (−18°C) annually.[15][16] The average window for freezing temperatures are September 30 through May 5,[15] allowing a growing season of 147 days. Extreme temperatures officially range from −43°F (−42°C) on January 12, 1912, and January 8, 1887, up to 112°F (44°C) on July 10, 1966; the record cold daily maximum is −21°F (−29°C) on January 14, 1888, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 82°F (28°C) on July 11, 1936.[15]
Precipitation is greatest in May and June and averages 23.32in (592mm) annually, but has ranged from 9.72in (247mm) in 1952 to 30.89in (785mm) in 2010.[15] Snowfall averages 44.4in (113cm) per season, and has historically ranged from 10.1in (26cm) in 1930–31 to 89.6in (228cm) in 2000–01;[15] the average window for measurable (≥0.1in or 0.25cm) snowfall is November 3 through April 11, although snow in October occurs several times per decade and snow in May is a much rarer event.[15]
According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of October 31, 2025, in Huron is $170,752.[20]
As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 5,534 estimated households in Huron with an average of 2.50 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $51,556. Approximately 16.4% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Huron has an estimated 64.8% employment rate, with 27.0% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 81.9% holding a high school diploma.[21] There were 6,196 housing units at an average density of 629.29 per square mile (243.0/km2).
The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (77.4%), Spanish (10.5%), Indo-European (1.1%), Asian and Pacific Islander (10.9%), and Other (0.2%).
The median age in the city was 34.6 years.
Huron, South Dakota – racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the 2020 census, there were 14,263 people, 5,524 households, and 3,299 families residing in the city.[26] The population density was 1,467.54 inhabitants per square mile (566.6/km2). There were 6,171 housing units at an average density of 634.94 per square mile (245.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 64.65% White, 1.04% African American, 2.05% Native American, 14.44% Asian, 0.38% Pacific Islander, 9.05% from some other races and 8.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 18.31% of the population.[27]
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 12,592 people, 5,418 households, and 3,179 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,328.3 inhabitants per square mile (512.9/km2). There were 6,023 housing units at an average density of 635.3 per square mile (245.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.86% White, 1.05% African American, 1.22% Native American, 4.91% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 3.94% from some other races and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 9.80% of the population.
There were 5,418 households, of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.3% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.94.
The median age in the city was 39.8 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 17.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 11,893 people, 5,263 households, and 3,047 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,448.5 inhabitants per square mile (559.3/km2). There were 5,872 housing units at an average density of 715.2 per square mile (276.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.92% White, 0.96% African American, 1.29% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from some other races and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.20% of the population.
There were 5,263 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,097, and the median income for a family was $40,234. Males had a median income of $27,027 versus $19,921 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,275. About 8.1% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
The community operates a fine arts center and community theater.
In 2005, The Huron Event Center was opened, connecting an arena, hotel, and convention center.
The city operates a waterpark called Splash Central, featuring an Olympic-sized pool, slides, and children's area.
Government
The Huron government is "commissioner form". Under the commissioner form of government the board of commissioners consists of a mayor and four commissioners, who are all elected at large for three-year terms. The commission has control over all departments of the city and can make and enforce rules and regulations which it may see fit for the organization, management, and operation of the departments of the city. Responsibilities are divided into the following areas: Public Safety Commissioner, Public Works Commissioner, Utilities Commissioner, and Finance Commissioner with each commissioner having oversight in each respective area.
The Huron School District 02-2, which covers Huron,[28] has three public elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Huron High School's mascot is the "Tigers". 2023-2024 enrollment was 2,935 students.
It was the home of Si Tanka University (formerly Huron College) from 1883 to 2005.
Huron is also home to a Catholic elementary school called Holy Trinity School, and a private non-denomination K-12 School, James Valley Christian School.
U.S. Route 14 is an east–west route passing through the northern part of the city. It intersects with north–south South Dakota Highway 37 in the city. This was the historical designation of the north–south U.S. Route 281, which was later moved to a more direct route that passes about ten miles west of Huron.
The Huron Regional Airport is city-owned. It had scheduled passenger flights operated by a commuter air carrier, Great Lakes Airlines, with Beechcraft 1900D commuter turboprop aircraft service to Denver. The airport does not currently have any scheduled service.
12"Station: Huron RGNL AP, SD". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
↑"Biography, Craig A. Kennedy". Yankton Lawyers.com. Yankton, South Dakota: Kennedy Pier Loftus Reynolds, LLP. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
↑"Biography, Cheryl Ladd". Turner Classic Movies. New York, NY: WarnerMedia Company. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
↑"Verne Miller Time Line". Wayward Soldier: Verne Miller and the Kansas City Massacre. Vermillion, South Dakota: South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
↑Mattern, Carolyn J. (December 2, 2021). "Biography/History, Arthur L. Padrutt". Arthur L. Padrutt Papers. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
Carr, J. L. (1957) The Old Timers: A Social History of the Way of Life of the Home-steading Pioneers in the Prairie States during the FirstFfew Years of Settlement, as Shown by a Typical Community, the 'Old-timers' of Beadle County in South Dakota. Huron, South Dakota: privately printed.
Jones , Mildred McEwen (1961) Early Beadle County 1879 to 1900. Huron, South Dakota: privately printed.
Littlefield, Jennifer and Louis Van Poll. Huron (Images of America). Arcadia Publishing, 2024.
Schuster, Ryan (February 8, 2010). "Community profile: Huron, SD". Prairie Business Magazine. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
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