Factories in South Dakota
South Dakota has 1,034 manufacturing establishments employing 47,333 people (Census County Business Patterns, 2023), 0.4% of US manufacturing jobs and the 41st most of any state. The largest industries by employment are food, machinery and fabricated metal products. We track 1 new plant project here, 0 under construction.
- Establishments
- 1,034
- Census 2023
- Manufacturing jobs
- 47,333
- Census 2023
- In EPA records
- 380
- Active, ECHO
- New plants
- 1
- 0 building
- Sheet
- SD
- Revised
- November 11, 2026
What is made in South Dakota
| Industry (NAICS subsector) | Establishments | Employees | In EPA records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food 311 | 134 | 10,981 | 45 |
| Machinery 333 | 113 | 6,152 | 51 |
| Fabricated metal products 332 | 194 | 5,193 | 56 |
| Medical devices and other goods 339 | 68 | 4,684 | 12 |
| Vehicles, aircraft and parts 336 | 49 | 3,841 | 28 |
| Furniture 337 | 53 | 2,076 | 9 |
| Computers and electronics 334 | 22 | 1,974 | 21 |
| Plastics and rubber 326 | 40 | 1,836 | 18 |
| Wood products 321 | 57 | 1,782 | 15 |
| Glass, cement and stone 327 | 84 | 1,636 | 34 |
| Paper 322 | 12 | 1,562 | 4 |
| Printing 323 | 80 | 1,501 | 10 |
| Chemicals 325 | 39 | 1,415 | 39 |
| Electrical equipment and appliances 335 | 14 | 1,004 | 8 |
| Textile products 314 | 19 | 772 * | 1 |
| Primary metals 331 | 7 | 528 * | 7 |
| Beverages and tobacco 312 | 39 | 373 | 2 |
| Apparel 315 | 5 | 15 * | 0 |
| Leather goods 316 | 3 | 5 * | 0 |
| Textile mills 313 | — | — | 1 |
| Petroleum and coal products 324 | — | — | 19 |
Establishments and employees: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, mid-March employment. * Census flags this figure as having high noise. "In EPA records" counts active facilities in EPA's ECHO database, a subset that excludes plants EPA doesn't regulate.
New plants in South Dakota
| Project | Industry | Status | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls fresh pork and packaged meats processing facility (Foundation Park)Smithfield Foods, Inc., Sioux Falls | Food and beverage | Announced | $1.3Bjobs not stated |
Factory pages in South Dakota
8 South Dakota factories have their own page so far: the facilities that report to EPA's Toxics Release Inventory and hold the most detailed federal records. See all 8, grouped by industry.
Questions
What is made in South Dakota?
South Dakota has 1,034 manufacturing establishments employing 47,333 people (Census County Business Patterns, 2023), 0.4% of US manufacturing jobs and the 41st most of any state. The largest industries by employment are food, machinery and fabricated metal products.
How many manufacturers are in South Dakota?
1,034 manufacturing establishments (Census, 2023). EPA's ECHO database lists 380 active manufacturing facilities in South Dakota that it regulates, 168 of which report to the Toxics Release Inventory.
Are new factories being built in South Dakota?
We track 1 large plant project in South Dakota announced since 2021: 0 under construction, 1 announced, 0 operating.
Can you tour a factory in South Dakota?
Yes: Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center and Hoistroom Tour.