Community Information

Although Spearfish is a small city with 8,870 permanent residents, it is the commercial and academic center for several towns in the Black Hills and nearby Wyoming and Montana, attracting more than a million visitors each year with its museums, festivals and natural beauty.

Spearfish at a Glance

• Population: 8,870
• Land area: 6.1 square miles
• Average temperature in January: 36ºF high; 13ºF low
• Average temperature in July: 85ºF high; 58ºF low
   

Distance from:

• Rapid City, SD: 45 minutes
• Billings, MT: 4 hours, 15 min.
• Cheyenne, WY: 4 hours, 45 min.
• Sioux Falls, SD: 5 hours, 30 min.
• Denver, CO: 6 hours, 15 min.
• Minneapolis, MN: 9 hours, 13 min.
• Salt Lake City, UT: 9 hours, 50 min.
• Kansas City, MO: 10 hours, 50 min.

Black Hills State University

Spearfish is home to Black Hills State University (BHSU), one of two public institutions of higher learning in western South Dakota. Founded in 1883, BHSU is a four-year, public liberal arts institution with more than 80 majors and minors for bachelor’s degrees. The university also offers four associate degree programs, 22 pre-professional programs and three programs of study for master’s degrees.

• Enrollment: 4,004
• Campus: 123 acres
• Mascot: Yellow Jacket
• School colors: green and gold
• Housing: five residence halls, eight-building apartment complex
• Student body: 81% from South Dakota, 19% from 36 other states and five countries

Local Flavor

When you arrive in Spearfish, you’ll notice right away that the town has a different sort of feeling. One that’s relaxed, natural and welcoming. Residents of Spearfish take pride in this healthy, responsible spirit that binds their everyday life with nature.
This carries through in the town’s unique shopping, dining and activities. The historic downtown area, complete with the restored 1906 Matthews Opera House and a wealth of coffeehouses, restaurants and specialty shopping, hosts dozens of festivals and art shows throughout the year.
Viewed as the Black Hills’ true escape, the land is pristine, the views are beautiful and the mood is almost spa-like. Simply put, Spearfish is naturally inviting.

Make Spearfish your Home

The only thing better than visiting Spearfish is making it your home. For more relocation information including a community profile and real estate listings, visit the Spearfish Chamber of Commerce.