South Dakota

Harding

1,311
2020 population
1890
first census record
13
census records

About Harding

Harding, South Dakota, first appears in the United States federal census in 1890, when it recorded a population of 167. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 1,311.

Its recorded population peaked at 4,228 in 1910, and has since declined by roughly 69 percent.

On the ground today, 14 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Slim Buttes — Crook's Starvation March Context, Battle of Slim Buttes, Battle of Slim Buttes — American Horse's Village Destruction (September 9, 1876), and 56 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
20201,311
20101,255
20001,353
19901,669
19801,700
19701,855
19602,371
19502,289
19403,010
19303,589
19203,953
19104,228
1890167
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Harding

Military engagements that took place in Harding, South Dakota.

Battle of Slim Buttes — Crook's Starvation March Context
1876
Battle of Slim Buttes
1876
Battle of Slim Buttes — American Horse's Village Destruction (September 9, 1876)
1876
Slim Buttes — American Horse's Village Discovery
1876
Battle of Slim Buttes — Crazy Horse Relief Attempt
1876
Battle of Slim Buttes — American Horse's Death
1876
Battle of Slim Buttes (South Dakota)
1876
Battle of Slim Buttes — Rearguard Action
1876
American Horse Surrender 1876
1876
Battle of Slim Buttes — Discovery of Little Bighorn Relics
1876
Battle of Slim Buttes — Cavalry Pursuit Phase (September 9–10, 1876)
1876
Battle of Slim Buttes — Initial Assault
1876
Slim Buttes — Crook's Starvation March Skirmishes
1876
Battle of Slim Buttes – American Horse's Cave Sub-action
1876

Historic places in Harding

National Register of Historic Places listings in Harding, South Dakota.

Ashcroft, Thomas, Ranch
Buffalo
Johnson, Axel, Ranch
Reva
Archeological Site No. 39HN1
Ludlow
Golden Valley Norwegian Lutheran Church
Ralph
Little Missouri Bank Building
Camp Crook
Browse all South Dakotahistoric sites ›

Other counties in South Dakota

Explore census history and historic records for more South Dakota counties.

BrookingsBrownBruleBuffaloButteCampbellCharles MixCheyenne River ReservationChoteauClarkClayCodingtonCorsonCrow Creek ReservationCusterDavisonDayDelanoDeuelDewey
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Everything a full report reveals about Harding County, South Dakota

This page charts the census history of Harding County, South Dakota. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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South Dakotahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from South Dakota›

Frequently asked about Harding

When does Harding first appear in the US census?
Harding, South Dakota first appears in the federal census in 1890, with a recorded population of 167.
What is the population of Harding?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Harding had a recorded population of 1,311.
When did Harding's population peak?
Harding's recorded population peaked at 4,228 in 1910.
Were any battles fought in Harding?
14 documented military engagements took place in Harding, including Battle of Slim Buttes — Crook's Starvation March Context, Battle of Slim Buttes, Battle of Slim Buttes — American Horse's Village Destruction (September 9, 1876).
How many historic places are in Harding?
56 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Harding, South Dakota.
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