Where is Lead, South Dakota, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Lead Located? - Lead is a city located in the Lawrence County of South Dakota, United States. Lead lies between 45.143731 Degrees North latitudes and 122.8553725 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Lead, South Dakota

Where is Lead, South Dakota

Lead Map, South Dakota, USA

Where is Lead?: The Google Map showing the location of Lead in the U.S. state of South Dakota.

Where is Lead Located?

Lead is a city located in the Lawrence County of South Dakota, United States. Lead lies between 45.143731 Degrees North latitudes and 122.8553725 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Lead city is 2982 people and the city has a total area of 2.06 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Lead, South Dakota Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityLead
CountyLawrence County
StateSouth Dakota
State CapitalPierre
US RegionMidwestern United States
Latitude44.3522° N
Longitude103.7652° W
Elevation5,279 ft (1,609 m)
Land Area2.74 sq mi
Water Area0.00 sq mi
Total Area2.74 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)2,982
Population Density1,089 per sq mi
ZIP Code57754
Area Code605
Time Zone StandardMountain Standard Time (MST, UTC−7)
Time Zone DaylightMountain Daylight Time (MDT, UTC−6)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code46-36380
Congressional DistrictSouth Dakota At-large Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Lead

CategoryDetails
Airport NameRapid City Regional Airport
IATA CodeRAP
PortNot Applicable
Major HighwaysU.S. Highway 85, U.S. Highway 14A, Interstate 90 (nearby)
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo direct passenger rail service
Local Bus/Transit ServicePrairie Hills Transit
  • U.S. Highway 85 connects Lead with Spearfish, Deadwood, Wyoming, and other communities in the northern Black Hills.
  • U.S. Highway 14A provides scenic access between Lead, Deadwood, Sturgis, and the surrounding Black Hills region.
  • Interstate 90, located a short distance north of the city, offers regional connectivity to Rapid City, Billings, and Sioux Falls.

Top Places to Visit in Lead, South Dakota

Landmark NameType
Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor CenterScience Museum
Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF)Research Facility
Black Hills Mining MuseumMuseum
Terry Peak Ski AreaSki Resort
Mickelson TrailRecreational Trail
Homestake Open CutHistoric Mining Site
Lead Historic DistrictHistoric District
Spearfish Canyon Scenic BywayScenic Drive
Roughlock FallsWaterfall
Deadwood Historic DistrictHistoric Attraction

Driving Distances from Lead, South Dakota to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
DeadwoodSouth Dakota35 minutes
SpearfishSouth Dakota1520 minutes
SturgisSouth Dakota1620 minutes
Rapid CitySouth Dakota4350 minutes
Belle FourcheSouth Dakota2735 minutes
CusterSouth Dakota581 hour 15 minutes
Hill CitySouth Dakota4255 minutes
NewcastleWyoming501 hour
GilletteWyoming1102 hours
Hot SpringsSouth Dakota751 hour 35 minutes

Colleges and Universities in Lead, South Dakota

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Black Hills State UniversityPublicUniversityLiberal arts, education, and business programs
Western Dakota Technical CollegePublicTechnical CollegeCareer and technical education
South Dakota School of Mines & TechnologyPublicUniversityEngineering and applied sciences
National American University – Rapid CityPrivateUniversityBusiness and professional studies
Oglala Lakota College – Rapid City College CenterTribalCollegeNative American higher education

Waterbodies in Lead, South Dakota

Whitewood Creek, Spearfish Creek, False Bottom Creek, Iron Creek, Roughlock Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Pactola Reservoir, Sheridan Lake.

Stadiums in Lead

Terry Peak Ski Area, Lead-Deadwood High School Stadium, Lyle Hare Stadium (nearby), Spearfish Canyon Country Club Golf Course, Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club.

Lead, South Dakota — Key Historical Facts

  • Lead was founded in 1876 after the discovery of gold in the northern Black Hills and quickly became one of the nation's most productive mining communities.
  • The Homestake Mine operated for more than 125 years and was once the largest and deepest gold mine in North America.
  • Mining played a central role in Lead's economy and attracted workers from many countries, creating a culturally diverse community.
  • After mining operations ended in 2002, the former Homestake Mine was transformed into the Sanford Underground Research Facility, an internationally recognized scientific research center.
  • Today, Lead is known for its mining heritage, winter recreation at Terry Peak, and its location within the scenic Black Hills of South Dakota.

References

More South Dakota Maps & Info

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