South Dakota Cities by Population 2026

South Dakota’s local governance system consists of 66 counties and more than 300 incorporated municipalities, including cities and towns. Counties provide essential services to rural and unincorporated areas, while cities and towns manage local governance within their boundaries.

Sioux Falls, the state’s largest city, operates under a mayor-council government structure. The mayor, who holds executive authority, oversees city departments such as public works, police, and economic development, while the city council serves as the legislative body, passing ordinances and shaping policy. Sioux Falls manages a wide array of services independently of the surrounding county government.

Rapid City, South Dakota’s second-largest city, follows a similar governance structure. Here, the city council collaborates with the mayor to create policies, pass budgets, and address community issues. Smaller municipalities, such as Aberdeen and Watertown, often adopt either mayor-council or council-manager systems, depending on local preferences and administrative needs.

Counties like Minnehaha County and Pennington County provide services to unincorporated areas, focusing on law enforcement, public health, and infrastructure maintenance. Boards of county commissioners govern these services, ensuring rural residents have access to essential functions like emergency response and road maintenance.

Unincorporated areas, common across South Dakota’s rural landscape, depend heavily on county services. Townships within counties may offer additional local governance, managing roads, cemeteries, and minor public services through elected township boards.

Unique to South Dakota, municipalities have flexibility in choosing their governance model, thanks to home rule charters that grant autonomy in managing local issues. This adaptability enables cities and towns to tailor services and administrative structures to fit their community needs.

Regional councils and collaborative organizations support local governments by addressing shared challenges such as economic development, regional transportation, and resource management, promoting cooperation across city, town, and county boundaries.