Huron is a city in Beadle County, South Dakota, United States. It is the county seat of Beadle County. The population was 14,263 at the 2020 census, and it is the 8th most populous city in South Dakota.
The first settlement at Huron was made in 1880. Huron is location of the South Dakota State Fair, and of a statue called the World's Largest Pheasant.
History
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 of land at that location. Huron was named for the Huron Indians.
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.
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.
Chronology: 1879 – The town site was located 1880 – Town site surveyed and platted 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 , of which is land and is water.
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. The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from in January to in July. On average, there are 1.7 days that reach or higher, 21.9 days that reach or higher, 66.7 days that do not climb above freezing, 27.7 days with a low of or below, and 3.1 days that do not rise above annually. The average window for freezing temperatures are September 30 through May 5, allowing a growing season of 147 days. Extreme temperatures officially range from on January 12, 1912, and January 8, 1887, up to on July 10, 1966; the record cold daily maximum is on January 14, 1888, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is on July 11, 1936.
Precipitation is greatest in May and June and averages annually, but has ranged from in 1952 to in 2010. Snowfall averages per season, and has historically ranged from in 1930–31 to in 2000–01; the average window for measurable (≥) 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.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 12,592 people, 5,418 households, and 3,179 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 6,023 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 86.9% White, 1.0% African American, 1.2% Native American, 4.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.9% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.8% 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.