The M. O. Hanson Building in Castlewood, July 2013
History
Castlewood was platted in 1881 when the railroad was extended to that point.[6] The city was named Castlewood after a place mentioned in the 1857 novel The Virginians by William Makepeace Thackeray.[6] A post office has been in operation in Castlewood since 1882.[7]
A destructive EF2 tornado hit the town on May 12, 2022, destroying several structures, damaging homes, and injuring one person.[8]
Castlewood has a dry-winter humid continental climate (KöppenDwb), with four distinct seasons and a high seasonal temperature variation. The winters are long and harsh, with an annual average extreme minimum temperature of -28.1 °F (-33.4 °C), placing it within the 4a USDA Hardiness Zone (-30°F to -25°F) or (-34.4°C to -31.7°C).[11] Summers are warm, with an average temperature of 69.4 °F (20.8 °C) in July, and receive experience a high level of precipitation compared to the dry winters.
Climate data for Castlewood, South Dakota, 1991–2020 normals, 1893-2023 extremes: 1685ft (514m)
At the 2010 census there were 627 people in 260 households, including 158 families, in the city. The population density was 545.2 inhabitants per square mile (210.5/km2). There were 292 housing units at an average density of 253.9 per square mile (98.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.5% White, 0.5% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8%.[16]
Of the 260 households 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.2% were non-families. 33.5% of households were one person and 17.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.16.
The median age was 36.2 years. 28.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 666 people in 253 households, including 185 families, in the city. The population density was 585.9 inhabitants per square mile (226.2/km2). There were 265 housing units at an average density of 233.1 per square mile (90.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.95% White, 0.45% Native American, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.30%.[4] 38.1% were of German, 18.4% Norwegian, 9.9% Dutch, 6.8% American, 6.4% Irish and 5.6% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
Of the 253 households 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 24.1% of households were one person and 14.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.06.
The age distribution was 28.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income was $36,607 and the median income for a family was $41,806. Males had a median income of $29,688 versus $20,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,682. About 7.7% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
Marv Heemeyer; born here, and went on a bulldozer rampage/suicide in Colorado
