This page is part of an undergraduate assignment at Davidson College.
Economic and Social Characteristics in South Dakota
South Dakota has traditionally been thought of as a rural farm state. However, over the past decade the state’s demographics have shifted as the farming population decreases and people move to the state’s few cities. Despite these changes, both Senator Tom Daschle and his challenger John Thune seem most focused on winning over the state's shrinking population of farmers.
Over the past decade, South Dakota has seen a significant decrease in the percentage of workers employed in farming, which has dropped from 11% in 1990 to just 8% in 2000 (National Journal 2003). Meanwhile, the state’s largest city, Sioux Falls, grew by 24% over the same period and Lincoln County, just south of Sioux Falls, was one of the nation’s fastest growing counties in the 1990s (National Journal 2003). These changes suggest South Dakota voters may be less interested in agriculture issues than they are in the more general economic and healthcare issues that have captured the attention of most of the nation.
South Dakota is also significant for its relatively large Native American population of 8.3%, compared to a national average of only 0.9% (Census 2000). While still a small percentage of the population, Native American voters were credited with giving Democrat Tim Johnson a slim 524 vote victory in the 2002 senate race (Maxon 2004).
Interestingly, in the 2000 Presidential race, Gore won only four South Dakota counties, yet three of those four had very high Native American populations (74.2%, 81.6% and 94.2%), suggesting a strong democratic base among Native Americans (Fedstats 2000). In contrast, in the eight counties that Bush won most heavily (more than 75% of the vote), the average percentage of workers who were farmers was 30.1%, significantly above the state average of just 8%, while the average percentage of voters in those same counties who were Native American was only 1.3% (Fedstats 2000). These figures suggest that Republican John Thune may have a much stronger base among farmers, while Democrat Tom Daschle may have a stronger base among Native Americans.
Yet although farmers represent only around 8% of the state’s population, both Candidates are putting agriculture at the top of their issues lists (Daschle and Thune). Further down on each candidate’s issues lists are topics that grab more national attention such as the economy, jobs and healthcare.
While both candidates place agriculture above these national issues, it seems likely that whichever candidate is going to win Minnehaha County, where the growing city of Sioux Falls in located, will have to focus on these more national issues. With manufacturing (12%), retail (12%), finance/insurance (14%) and social services (20%) being the leading employers in the state’s most populous county, and with Bush’s relatively narrow victory there in 2000, the 2004 senate race could well come down to which candidate can appeal to the most voters in this growing county (Fedstats 2000).
Created by David Crow
Pol 318
Created: 9/9/2004. Last updated: 9/10/2004.