A new analysis from Tourism Economics shows visitor spending is driving economic growth across South Dakota, with Stanley, Sully, Potter and Faulk counties being among the top 10 counties for growth.
The state Department of Tourism says total visitor spending in South Dakota in 2025 reached a record high of $5.16 billion, a 1.1% increase compared to 2024. Three of the state’s four tourism regions saw increases in visitor spending. The Glacial Lakes & Prairies region saw the largest amount of growth at 3.1%. The Black Hills & Badlands area showed a 1% increase and the Southeast region had a .8% increase. The fourth area, the Missouri River region, showed a 0% increase.
The top 10 counties with annual growth were evenly distributed across the state. They are:
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Jerauld (14.8%),
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Spink (11.6%),
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Todd (9.9%),
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Brown (9.1%),
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Potter (7.6%),
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Sully (7.2%),
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Faulk (5.6%),
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Beadle (4.4%),
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Stanley (4.1%), and
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Oglala Lakota (3.9%).
State Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen says the regionally diverse growth highlights how tourism benefits counties of all sizes, including rural areas and larger travel hubs. He says visitors are traveling beyond the well-known destinations and discovering communities across the state. Additionally, he says people are staying longer, which is driving meaningful growth in communities of every size.
To see the entire Tourism Economics County and Region Level Impact Report for South Dakota, go to the Tourism Department’s website, https://sdvisit.com/research-reports/economic-impact.
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