HARRISBURG —This bedroom community south of Sioux Falls transformed over the past couple of decades into the fastest-growing South Dakota city of more than 5,000 people, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau and Population Division report.

Harrisburg's population ballooned by 37.8%, or more than 2,500 residents, between July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2023, the report said. Nearby Tea was behind with 29.9% growth followed by Box Elder, just east of Rapid City, with a 16.2% increase over the time frame.

After teaching first grade for 14 years in Brookings, Julie LeFebvre needed a fresh start and found it in Harrisburg.

"I applied for a job down here, and I got it right away," LeFebvre said. "With the way that things transitioned so smoothly, I felt like it was meant to be."

Eighteen cities in the state now have populations of at least 5,000, but not all grew between 2020 and 2023. Brandon, just east of Sioux Falls, saw a slight decrease in its population, as did Aberdeen, Madison, Mitchell, Pierre and Sturgis, the Census said.

West River to generate more growth, led by Box Elder

Box Elder, where Ellsworth Air Force Base is located, will become the main base of operations and training location for the Air Force's new B-21 Raider bomber program.

The B-21 is a $700 million long-range stealth jet with nuclear capabilities that is intended to replace the B-1B Lancer bomber.

Col. Derek Oakley, commander of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth, said at a meeting in Rapid City in November 2023 that the B-21 program will add more than 4,000 new military personnel, families and civilian workers to the base over the next 20 years.

The Air Force projected in its B-21 Economic Impact Statement that development of the new bomber program at Ellsworth will create nearly 600 local jobs and almost $24 million in local economic impact. Once the bombers arrive, some state officials estimate the program will create an annual benefit of $480 million to the state.

As of February, nearly 300 new housing units were under construction in Box Elder, and the city has seen recent development of new banks, restaurants and other commercial business. It's also planning to build a $60 million elementary school to further accommodate the anticipated growth.

Monument Health of Rapid City is also preparing for population increases in Box Elder by building a pair of new urgent care clinics in or near the city.

Lincoln County is keeping pace

According to a U.S. Census Bureau report from March, the population in Lincoln County grew by 11.6% from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2023. In western South Dakota, Custer County and Lawrence County are runners up with increases by 9.4% and 8.5% respectively.

Jim Schmidt has been on the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners for over 25 years. He said when he got the job first, the population of Harrisburg was under 500 people and no one paid much attention to Lincoln County because of how rural it was.

A lot of residents have taken issue with a new men's prison planned for the county because of safety concerns, he said. But many of the people who will work there are likely to relocate to Lincoln County, increasing the population and housing demand, Schmidt said.

Harrisburg residents offer a helping hand

Before moving to Harrisburg, LeFebvre did a lot of research about the school district, not only because she wanted to work there but also because she wanted her two children to get a good education. 

She had visited the city several times for her children's activities, such as a trip to the apple orchard or a sporting event. Harrisburg had "some cool features for just a small little town," LeFebvre concluded.

Among them were people's friendliness and willingness to help. Being "a hop, skip, and a jump away from a big city" is another, she said. 

At the same time, LeFebvre said she wishes there were a new family restaurant in town. 

"If you ask a typical person, 'What are they building in Harrisburg?' They're gonna say it's either a gas station or townhomes or apartments. But I understand those things are important too," LeFebvre said.

In July 2022, LeFebvre relocated to a bigger house within Harrisburg. This fall, she will start her sixth year teaching first graders in the Harrisburg School District.

Projections underestimated Harrisburg growth

Originally from the northeast South Dakota town of Gary, Dale Thorpe moved to Harrisburg with his wife and three children in 1971 after living in Minneapolis and Sioux Falls. Thorpe worked in construction and in 1984 joined the Harrisburg School Board.

Thorpe said he spent nine years on the board, and everyone got along. Some members of the community, however, did not want to build more schools in order to remain a small town. 

Years later, Thorpe said the way the community feels about population increases has changed and added that the growth the school board projected was "way less" than what recent U.S. Census Bureau reports show.

"I don't rub their noses in it, but they know we were right," he said.

Much like LeFebvre, Thorpe pointed out that he would like to see a new restaurant in town but added that what appeals to him is how friendly the community is and how safe he feels in town.

"It's a great place to live in," Thorpe said. "It's rural America at as good as it can get."