Wessington is a city on the border between Beadle and Hand counties in South Dakota, United States. The population was 197 at the 2020 census.
History
A post office has been in operation in Wessington since 1882. The city took its name from the nearby Wessington Hills.
The early growth of Wessington began because it was a transshipment point for locally produced grains because of the railroad (C. & N.W. Ry. Co.). This allowed local producers lower shipping costs compared to villages further from railroads, encouraging the location of other businesses in the town. Wessington originally was located in Beadle County; the cohesiveness of the community soon led to growth into neighboring Hand County.
In 1918, there was a flourishing natural ice business that provisioned refrigerated freight cars. The cattle industry in the area has increased the market quality of the nation's cattle through improvements in herd management and adaptations to changing consumer demands. Many producers have received national recognition throughout the years.
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, Wessington had a population of 197. The median age was 38.1 years. 32.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 106.2 males age 18 and over.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 92 households in Wessington, of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.2% were married-couple households, 33.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 45.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 170 people, 91 households, and 44 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 139 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.8% White and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.
There were 91 households, of which 12.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.6% were non-families. 47.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.87 and the average family size was 2.64.
The median age in the city was 53.6 years. 12.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 11.2% were from 25 to 44; 37.6% were from 45 to 64; and 30.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census
See also
- List of cities in South Dakota