Politics of South Dakota in 1989
In 1989, South Dakota was a largely conservative state that leaned heavily towards the Republican party. The state had voted for Republican presidential candidates in every election since 1968, and this trend continued in 1989 when George H.W. Bush won the state with over 58% of the vote. At the time, Republicans held a majority in both houses of the state legislature, with 24 out of 35 Senate seats and 43 out of 70 House seats. This strong Republican presence was reflected in several areas of policymaking, including finance and taxation, where there was a commitment to lower taxes on businesses and individuals alike. In addition, there was also an emphasis on reducing government spending while still ensuring adequate funding for essential services such as education and healthcare.
In terms of social issues, South Dakota had a long history of being socially conservative. Abortion had been illegal in the state since 1977 with few exceptions, while same-sex marriage was banned by statute in 1996 and by constitutional amendment in 2006. Similarly, gun control laws were fairly lax compared to other states; for example, background checks were not required for private sales or at gun shows until 2019. Despite this conservatism on certain issues however, there were also signs that attitudes were beginning to change; South Dakota became one of the first states to pass legislation recognizing domestic partnerships between same-sex couples in 1989 (though it did not grant them any legal rights or benefits).
South Dakota’s economy relied heavily on agriculture at this time; farming accounted for around 15% of all employment and generated nearly $7 billion annually from crops such as wheat and corn as well as cattle ranching operations which produced large amounts of beef each year. There was also some manufacturing activity taking place at this time as well as tourism related to Mount Rushmore National Memorial which attracted over two million visitors each year from across the world.
Overall, then South Dakota could be described as politically conservative but with signs that its attitudes towards certain social issues were beginning to change during 1989. The economy relied heavily upon agriculture but also included some manufacturing activity along with tourism related to Mount Rushmore National Memorial which brought millions into the state each year.
Population of South Dakota in 1989
In 1989, South Dakota was home to an estimated population of 696,004 people. The majority of the population (87%) was White alone, while the remaining 13% was comprised of a variety of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Native Americans were the largest minority group in the state, making up 8.5% of the total population. Other minority groups included African Americans (2%), Asians (0.5%), and Hispanics or Latinos (1%).
The population of South Dakota in 1989 was relatively young compared to other states; 33% were under 18 years old while only 13% were over 65 years old. The state also had a relatively high birth rate at this time with an average of 14 births per 1,000 people per year.
In terms of education, South Dakota’s high school graduation rate in 1989 was 72%, slightly below the national average at that time. There were also only two public universities in the state: The University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University; both institutions had seen significant growth in enrollment over the past decade as more students chose to stay in-state for their higher education needs rather than going out-of-state or abroad.
Most people in South Dakota lived in rural areas; around 70% resided outside of incorporated towns and cities with large concentrations found along Interstate 90 and Highway 85 which ran through eastern and western parts respectively. In terms of religion, most residents identified as Christian at this time with Catholicism being particularly popular among those from European descent while Protestantism was more common among those from Germanic backgrounds. See ehuacom for information about the capital city of South Dakota.
Overall, then, South Dakota’s population in 1989 consisted mainly of White residents with a small but significant minority presence made up mostly by Native Americans who resided mainly on reservations throughout the state. The population tended to be fairly young with a higher than average birth rate while most people lived outside major towns or cities and identified as Christian although other religious beliefs were also present among some individuals or families living within South Dakota’s borders at that time.
Economy of South Dakota in 1989
The economy of South Dakota in 1989 was largely based on agriculture, with farming and ranching accounting for the majority of the state’s GDP. The main crops grown were corn, wheat, soybeans, and hay while cattle and hogs were the primary livestock raised. As of 1989, South Dakota had a total of 6 million acres of farmland which was home to more than 5,000 farms. These farms employed over 30,000 people throughout the state who generated a total income of $2 billion from their agricultural activities.
In addition to agriculture, mining was also an important part of South Dakota’s economy in 1989. The state was known for its vast coal reserves and gold deposits which were mined by companies such as Homestake Mining Company and Black Hills Corporation. Mining activities generated over $200 million in revenue for the state that year and employed approximately 8,000 people throughout South Dakota.
Manufacturing also played a significant role in South Dakota’s economy at this time with multiple factories located throughout the state producing everything from food products to textiles and medical equipment. These factories employed around 18,000 people in 1989 and generated a total income of more than $2 billion that year.
Lastly, tourism was another major economic driver for South Dakota in 1989 with visitors drawn to attractions such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Wind Cave National Park and many others located throughout the state. This industry employed thousands of people who earned a collective income of more than $1 billion that year from tourist related activities such as lodging, dining out and shopping at local stores or outlets.
According to liuxers, South Dakota’s economy in 1989 was largely based on agriculture but also included mining operations as well as manufacturing plants which provided jobs for thousands across the state while tourism boosted revenue through visitor spending at local attractions or businesses. Together these industries helped drive economic growth within South Dakota during this period despite some challenges faced due to low commodity prices or rising labor costs at certain times during this decade.
Events held in South Dakota in 1989
In 1989, South Dakota was an exciting place to visit, offering a variety of attractions and events for visitors of all ages. For those who were looking for outdoor adventure, there were plenty of options including the Black Hills National Forest with its scenic hiking trails, camping sites and wildlife. Visitors could also take in the awe-inspiring views of Mount Rushmore National Memorial or explore the unique geological formations at Wind Cave National Park.
For those interested in history and culture, there were a number of historical sites to visit such as the Crazy Horse Memorial or Fort Pierre National Historic Site. There were also several museums in South Dakota that showcased its rich history including The Heritage Center in Rapid City which celebrated the state’s Native American heritage.
Throughout the year there were many festivals and events held throughout South Dakota that attracted visitors from near and far. These included Sturgis Motorcycle Rally which took place annually during August and brought hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to the state each year. The South Dakota State Fair was another popular event that took place during July and featured livestock shows, rodeos and other entertainment as well as food vendors from around the state.
For those looking for something more low key there were plenty of smaller events such as art shows, music festivals or cultural celebrations like Lakota Nation Invitational Powwow or Wounded Knee Massacre Commemoration that provided visitors with an insight into Native American culture. There was also a wide range of sporting events throughout South Dakota including professional rodeo competitions, golf tournaments and even auto racing at Sioux Falls Speedway.
Overall, then, 1989 was a great time to visit South Dakota with plenty of attractions available for visitors to explore as well as numerous events taking place throughout the year that provided something for everyone to enjoy no matter their interests or age group.
