Hayti, South Dakota

Hayti (pronounced "HAY-tie") is a town in and the county seat of Hamlin County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 393 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Watertown, South Dakota Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is the county seat of Hamlin County.

According to tradition, the name is derived from the practice of tying bundles of hay to be burned on the prairie, hence the name Hay-tie.

History

Hayti was platted in 1907 when the South Dakota Central Railway was built through the area. The town won an election to become the county seat in 1910, taking the title from Castlewood; however, Castlewood sued to keep the county seat and won the case. In 1914, a second election gave Hayti the county seat for good.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 381 people, 152 households, and 102 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 173 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 96.3% White, 0.8% Native American, and 2.9% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population.

There were 152 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.9% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the town was 32.9 years. 32% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.2% were from 25 to 44; 22.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census The local PK-12 school facility is the Hamlin Education Center, which includes Hamlin Elementary School, Hamlin Middle School, and Hamlin High School, located west of the Hayti city limits. The former Hamlin School, located in the municipal limits of Hayti, is used for athletic purposes, specifically its American football field and its track field.

Notable people

Garney Henley - Canadian Football Hall of Fame Wide receiver and defensive back, was born here.
Kristi Noem - The 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security. She graduated from Hamlin High School, a part of the Hamlin Education Center, the K-12 school facility near Hayti.