Mount Rushmore, the Badlands and the Sturgis Rally power a tourism economy worth billions each year. The state's economy is changing fast, and its numbers tell part of the story.

Visitor spending brings billions of dollars into the state annually.

What sets it apart

The industry supports tens of thousands of jobs, many seasonal. That detail is easy to overlook, but it helps explain the pull this place has on locals and visitors alike.

The Black Hills and Badlands draw the largest share of travelers.

Why it matters

Taken together, these threads say something about South Dakota itself — a place where the old and the new sit close together. Whether the bet pays off or not, it is helping write South Dakota's next chapter.