Geography

Mitchell is located at 43°42′50″N, 98°1′35″W (43.713896, -98.026282).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Mitchell has a total area of 28.2 km² (10.9 mi²). Out of which 25.6 km² (9.9 mi²) is actually land and the remaining 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²) of the total area (9.29%) is under water.

Mitchell has been assigned the ZIP code 57301 and the FIPS place code 43100.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,558 people, 6,121 households, and 3,599 families residing in the city. This suggests a population density of 569.5/km² (1,475.7/mi²). There were 6,555 housing units at an average density of 256.4/km² (664.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.63% White, 0.32% African American, 2.40% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.

Further census survey suggests that, there were 6,121 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 46.6% were married couples living together; 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were non-families. Additionally 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,308, and the median income for a family was $43,095. Males had a median income of $30,881 versus $20,794 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,888. About 8.8% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.

The campus of Dakota Wesleyan University is located in southwest Mitchell

Attractions

Mitchell is home of the world famous Corn Palace. The Corn Palace is decorated with several colors of dried corn and grains creating murals. The theme of the murals is changed regularly. The building itself is used for several purposes including a basketball arena, the local high school prom, trade shows, staged entertainment, and the Shriner's Circus.

The Enchanted World Doll Museum is located across the street from the Corn Palace. It is a collection of over 4,000 dolls from around the world. The dolls are posed in various scenes that represent their origins.

Mitchell is also home to the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village. The Prehistoric Indian Village is an archaeological site where scientists are excavating a Native American village, believed to be ancestors of the present Mandan residing in North Dakota, that is buried near Lake Mitchell. The burial mounds reside underneath the golf course across the street and has led to much controversy from tourists. The excavation site is unique in that it is enclosed by an Archeodome, a climate controlled building built over the excavation, that allows scientists to continue their excavation year round. There is also a small museum of Native American art and history nearby.

People

• George McGovern, former Representative and Senator from South Dakota and 1972 Democratic nominee for President, grew up in Mitchell, and still lives here.
• Current NBA player Mike Miller was born and raised in Mitchell.
• Adam Morrison, former Gonzaga University basketball star and the #3 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, briefly lived in Mitchell as a young child while his father was coaching at Dakota Wesleyan.
• Jessica Herrgott, Miss South Dakota Teen USA 2001
• Kassy Kernes, (Miss South Dakota American Teen 2005 & 2006, American Coed Pageants)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.