| Dell Rapids | |
| Official Name: | Dell Rapids, South Dakota |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Nickname: | "The Little City with the Big Attractions" |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | South Dakota |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Minnehaha |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Tom Earley[1] |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 1871[2] |
| Established Title2: | Incorporated |
| Established Date2: | 1888[3] |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [4] |
| Area Total Km2: | 6.02 |
| Area Land Km2: | 5.84 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.18 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 2.32 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 2.25 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.07 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 3996 |
| Population Density Km2: | 684.39 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 1772.85 |
| Timezone: | Central (CST) |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Coordinates: | 43.8244°N -96.7144°W |
| Elevation Ft: | 1539 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 57022 |
| Area Code: | 605 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 46-15980 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 1267351 |
| Website: | City of Dell Rapids |
Dell Rapids is a city in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 3,996 at the 2020 census.[5] It is known as "The Little City with the Big Attractions."
The city took its name from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which were likened to the local rapids on the Big Sioux River.[6]
Dell Rapids was originally named Dell City, but was renamed after the rapids of the Big Sioux River. After a fire broke out on the main street and burned most of the town, it was rebuilt out of Sioux Quartzite, a common rock in the area. The Chicago, Milwaukee, and Saint Paul Railroad built a railroad into the area, reaching Dell Rapids from Egan in 1881. Two large Sioux Quartzite quarries owned by LG Everist are operated via this rail line, which is now operated by LG's subsidiary, the D&I Railroad. The community celebrates its heritage with the annual "Quarry Days" in July, and in June, the city hosts "Cootie Days", where rides and games are set up and available in the city's park.
Dell Rapids is located along the Big Sioux River.[7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 2.09sqmi, of which 2.03sqmi is land and 0.06sqmi is water.[8]
At the 2010 census there were 3,633 people, 1,388 households, and 973 families living in the city. The population density was 1789.7PD/sqmi. There were 1,495 housing units at an average density of 736.5/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.0% White, 0.1% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4%.[9]
Of the 1,388 households 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.9% were non-families. 25.1% of households were one person and 11.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10.
The median age was 34.8 years. 28.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 21.7% were from 45 to 64; and 15% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
At the 2000 census, there were 2,980 people, 1,127 households, and 793 families living in the city. The population density was 1519.9sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 1,181 housing units at an average density of 602.3sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 98.69% White, 0.13% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.
Of the 1,127 households 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 26.0% of households were one person and 13.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.09.
The age distribution was 28.4% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $42,572, and the median family income was $49,536. Males had a median income of $31,867 versus $24,333 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,731. About 1.9% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.
Dell Rapids is home to two separate school systems: the Dell Rapids public school system and St. Mary's, a private Catholic parochial school.
The public school system includes Dell Rapids High School, a middle school, and an elementary school. The Public School District's mascot is the Quarriers, named after the large Sioux Quartzite rock quarries that are also in Dell Rapids. St. Mary's school also includes St. Mary High School, a junior high school, and elementary school. The St. Mary School District's mascot is the Cardinals.