Wounded Knee, South Dakota

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Wounded Knee is a census-designated place (CDP) in Shannon County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 328 at the 2000 census.

It is named for the Wounded Knee Creek which runs through the region. The bones and heart of the Sioux chief Crazy Horse were reputedly buried along this creek by his family following his assassination in 1877. Thirteen years later, in the same area, the United States 7th Cavalry killed over 300 men, women and children who were being transported to the Sioux reservation at Pine Ridge, on December 29, 1890 (see: Wounded Knee massacre).

The American Indian Movement (AIM) occupied the Pine Ridge Reservation near Wounded Knee in protest against the federal government on February 27, 1973. A 71-day standoff between federal authorities and the AIM ensued. The militants surrendered on May 8. (see: Wounded Knee Incident)

[edit] Geography

Wounded Knee is located at 43°8′38″N, 102°22′4″W (43.144002, -102.367712)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.8 km² (1.1 mi²), all land.

Wounded Knee has been assigned the ZIP code 57794.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 328 people, 54 households, and 52 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 118.4/km² (306.0/mi²). There were 56 housing units at an average density of 20.2/km² (52.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 1.22% White and 98.78% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.

There were 54 households out of which 61.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 35.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 1.9% were non-families. 1.9% of all households were made up of individuals and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 6.07 and the average family size was 6.04.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 50.6% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 10.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 18 years. For every 100 females there were 108.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $12,206, and the median income for a family was $12,206. Males had a median income of $0 versus $13,333 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $2,403. About 72.2% of families and 81.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 83.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.