Parker is a city in Turner County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 1,194 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Turner County. Parker is bordered on its eastern side by South Dakota State Highway 19. Its northern side is bordered by South Dakota State Highway 44. Parker is located approximately northwest of Chancellor, east of Parkston and south of Madison.
History
Parker was established in 1879 as county seat; it was incorporated as a city in 1883. The name Parker was the maiden name of a railroad official's wife.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Parker had a population of 1,194. The median age was 36.8 years. 28.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.4 males age 18 and over.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 470 households in Parker, of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.6% were married-couple households, 17.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 1,091 || 91.4%
|-
| Black or African American || 4 || 0.3%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 6 || 0.5%
|-
| Asian || 3 || 0.3%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 23 || 1.9%
|-
| Two or more races || 67 || 5.6%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 50 || 4.2%
|}
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,022 people, 438 households, and 292 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 489 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% White, 0.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.
There were 438 households, of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.85.
The median age in the city was 39.8 years. 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.4% were from 45 to 64; and 17.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census
The district added a new elementary school building in 2022 as a part of ongoing expansion efforts.
Nicknamed the "Pheasants", their high school sports teams have achieved great success. Gayle Hoover coached the boys basketball teams from 1959-1993 and retired as the states all-time winningest basketball coach with 577 wins. Jill Christensen coached the volleyball program from 1983-2018 and as of 2023 is the states all-time winningest coach regardless of sport with 837 career wins. Both were inducted into the South Dakota sports hall of fame.