Pierre was once a fort, then a city. Both were named, oui, madame and monsieur, for Pierre Chouteau, a fur trader of French heritage.
The capital of South Dakota and the county seat of Hughes County, the population of this bustling town on the Missouri River was 13,646 in the last census. Chosen as the capital due to its central location in the state, the town was founded in 1880, opposite Fort Pierre. River views and plenty of green space mark this pleasant town, which does get chilly in the winter. Bring your boots and mittens.
Moving to Town
If you're looking to find an apartment in Pierre, SD, you will see a variety of options from a one- bedroom apartment for rent to luxury apartments and studio apartments for rent. Some neighborhoods have ample vacancies, others are tight on rentals. Allow a month to find the best spot for you, searching newspapers, online resources and by driving and walking around town yourself to find the right rental. Bring your credit report, ID, and bank statements -- many landlords today require this information when you sign a lease.
Neighborhoods
Perched on the Missouri River bluffs, Pierre is picturesque from just about every neighborhood. Each has their own quirks and charm, so be sure to explore for yourself before having to commit to just one new place to call home!
Garfield Avenue / E Capitol Avenue: Bordering Farm Island Park and the Missouri River, this is a suburban neighborhood with medium-to-small mobile homes and single-family homes, primarily owner-occupied. Look carefully, and you can find rentals in this pretty area with plenty of green space. Most homes were built between 1940 and 1999.
Blunt / Harrold: If you're looking for a quiet part of town surrounded by nature, this remote section of town offers prairie views, plenty of open space, and medium-sized, single-family homes and mobile homes, most of which were constructed between 1970 and the present. Nearby grasslands offer hiking opportunities and grand vistas.
Pierre City Center: Suburban in density, this area offers single-family homes, apartment complexes and condos to a mix of owners and renters. While there are some historic residences here, most properties were built between 1970 and 1999. Perched right along the Missouri River, with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options nearby, this is a great spot to look for rental apartments. Country Kitchen will fill you right up when you're looking to eat out.
Living in Pierre
Not to mince words: it gets cold, freezing cold at times, in the winter. So bundle up and enjoy the pretty spring, fall, and warm summers. The Missouri River is lined with green space for walking, jogging, and biking -- and in those winter months, building snow people.
While there's plenty to do in Pierre, from theater and dining to historic sites well worth exploring, if you want to leave town, you'll find you have to drive a bit to do so. The nearest Interstate, I-90, is 34 miles south. Pierre Regional Airport offers flights to Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul, among others.
Pierre has a lot of community spirit, and shows it with large scale Fourth of July fireworks displays and holiday decorations. Got a green thumb? There's a community garden in town, waiting for you to plant your summer crops.
Along with river front green space, you'll find Griffin Park a focal point of activity with tennis courts, a skate park, horseshoes, and a small beach and outdoor pool. You can even camp here.
Pierre is a city, but it's a city with enough space to make you feel like you're still a part of the lovely prairie land surrounding the town.
History lives here, too. From Fort Pierre to a variety of beautifully preserved historic homes, Pierre offers a look at the past that includes classic homes like the Brink-Wegner House, or Farr House, and the beautiful span of the Chicago and North Western Railroad Bridge.