Webster, South Dakota

Last updated

Webster, South Dakota
Busting Downtown Webster (6003771173).jpg
Downtown Webster, July 2011
Motto: 
"A Place for All Seasons"
Day County South Dakota Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Webster Highlighted.svg
Location of Webster, South Dakota
Coordinates: 45°20′12″N97°31′19″W / 45.336563°N 97.521830°W / 45.336563; -97.521830
CountryUnited States
State South Dakota
County Day
Platted1881
Incorporated February 23, 1895 [1]
Named after James Perry Webster
Government
[2]
   Mayor Mike Grosek
Area
[3]
  Total
1.623 sq mi (4.203 km2)
  Land1.623 sq mi (4.203 km2)
  Water0 sq mi (0.000 km2)  0.00%
Elevation
[4]
1,840 ft (560 m)
Population
 (2020) [5]
  Total
1,728
  Estimate 
(2024) [6]
1,666
  Density1,065/sq mi (411.1/km2)
Time zone UTC–6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST) UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
57274
Area codes 605
FIPS code 46-69780
GNIS feature ID1267629 [4]
Website webstersd.com/city-of-webster

Webster is a city in and the county seat of Day County, South Dakota, United States. [7] The population was 1,728 at the 2020 census, [5] and was estimated at 1,666 in 2024. [6]

Contents

History

The city of Webster was platted in 1881 and was incorporated on February 23, 1895, [8] and named in honor of James Perry Webster, a pioneer settler. [9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.622 square miles (4.20 km2), all land. [3]

Climate

Climate data for Webster, South Dakota (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1893−present)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)64
(18)
64
(18)
81
(27)
96
(36)
97
(36)
105
(41)
108
(42)
104
(40)
104
(40)
91
(33)
80
(27)
63
(17)
108
(42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)20.4
(−6.4)
25.3
(−3.7)
38.0
(3.3)
52.9
(11.6)
66.4
(19.1)
76.0
(24.4)
80.9
(27.2)
79.0
(26.1)
70.7
(21.5)
55.4
(13.0)
38.8
(3.8)
25.4
(−3.7)
52.4
(11.3)
Daily mean °F (°C)11.4
(−11.4)
15.8
(−9.0)
28.4
(−2.0)
42.4
(5.8)
55.8
(13.2)
66.1
(18.9)
71.0
(21.7)
69.0
(20.6)
60.2
(15.7)
45.5
(7.5)
30.0
(−1.1)
17.3
(−8.2)
42.7
(5.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)2.4
(−16.4)
6.3
(−14.3)
18.9
(−7.3)
31.9
(−0.1)
45.2
(7.3)
56.1
(13.4)
61.1
(16.2)
59.0
(15.0)
49.6
(9.8)
35.7
(2.1)
21.3
(−5.9)
9.2
(−12.7)
33.1
(0.6)
Record low °F (°C)−36
(−38)
−43
(−42)
−32
(−36)
−6
(−21)
18
(−8)
23
(−5)
36
(2)
26
(−3)
17
(−8)
−1
(−18)
−29
(−34)
−34
(−37)
−43
(−42)
Average precipitation inches (mm)0.84
(21)
0.75
(19)
1.11
(28)
2.22
(56)
3.39
(86)
3.97
(101)
4.02
(102)
2.97
(75)
2.56
(65)
2.47
(63)
0.71
(18)
1.06
(27)
26.07
(662)
Average snowfall inches (cm)9.6
(24)
7.9
(20)
5.1
(13)
5.0
(13)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
1.4
(3.6)
6.0
(15)
7.8
(20)
42.8
(109)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)4.84.43.95.89.510.38.97.36.96.24.04.776.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)5.04.62.61.50.00.00.00.00.00.82.74.721.9
Source: NOAA [10] [11]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1890 618
1900 1,506143.7%
1910 1,71313.7%
1920 1,8005.1%
1930 1,8050.3%
1940 2,17320.4%
1950 2,50315.2%
1960 2,409−3.8%
1970 2,252−6.5%
1980 2,4177.3%
1990 2,017−16.5%
2000 1,952−3.2%
2010 1,886−3.4%
2020 1,728−8.4%
2024 (est.)1,666 [6] −3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [12]
2020 Census [5]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 1,728 people, 814 households, and 413 families residing in the city. [13] The population density was 1,065.35 inhabitants per square mile (411.3/km2) and there were 961 housing units at an average density of 592.48 per square mile (228.8/km2). [13]

The median age was 46.4 years, with 21.4% of residents under the age of 18 and 26.9% 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.1 males age 18 and over. [14]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. [15]

There were 814 households in Webster, of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 39.4% were married-couple households, 22.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 44.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [14] There were 961 housing units, of which 15.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.8%. [14]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census [16]
RaceNumberPercent
White 1,55690.0%
Black or African American 30.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native 392.3%
Asian 100.6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 10.1%
Some other race100.6%
Two or more races 1096.3%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)724.2%

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 1,886 people, 878 households and 481 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,262.38 inhabitants per square mile (487.4/km2). There were 1,007 housing units at an average density of 674.03 per square mile (260.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.12% White, 0.16% African American, 2.33% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from some other races and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.74% of the population.

There were 878 households, of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.2% were non-families. 41.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age was 46.3 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.2% were from 25 to 44; 26% were from 45 to 64; and 25.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 1,952 people, 866 households and 512 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,308.9 inhabitants per square mile (505.4/km2). There were 1,023 housing units at an average density of 685.9 per square mile (264.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.49% White, 0.00% African American, 1.23% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from some other races and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.26% of the population.

There were 866 households, of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.2% 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.

23.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 27.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median household income was $29,457 and the median family income was $40,982. Males had a median income of $30,121 compared with $18,380 for females. The per capita income was $16,398. Approximately 9.0% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Webster public schools are part of the Webster School District (South Dakota). The district has an elementary school, middle school and high school, Webster High School (South Dakota). [17]

Media

Reporter and Farmer is Day County's newspaper.

Notable people

See also

References

  1. "SD Towns" (PDF). South Dakota State Historical Society. December 1, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
  2. "City Council". City of Webster, South Dakota. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  4. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Webster, South Dakota
  5. 1 2 3 "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties . Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  8. "City of Webster, SD". City of Webster, South Dakota. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  9. Federal Writers' Project (1940). South Dakota place-names, v.1-3. University of South Dakota. p. 68.
  10. "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  11. "Station: Webster, SD". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  12. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. 1 2 "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  15. "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  16. "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  17. "Webster Area School District". Webster Area School District. Retrieved August 4, 2012.