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What are the most striking differences between Draper, South Dakota in 1940 and 2021, and how has the town's landscape, architecture, and way of life changed over the years?
**Population decline**: Draper's population decreased by 26% from 125 in 1940 to 92 in 2020, reflecting a decline in rural populations across the United States.
**Median age increase**: The median age in Draper increased by 15.1 years, from 29.4 in 1940 to 44.5 in 2020, showing an aging population.
**Family size reduction**: The average household size decreased from 4.57 people in 1940 to 2.07 people in 2020, reflecting changes in family structures and reduced family sizes.
**Housing stock changes**: The number of occupied dwellings in Draper decreased from 115 in 1940 to 61 in 2020, indicating a reduction in available housing stock.
**Age distribution shift**: In 1940, 21.6% of the population was under the age of 10, while in 2020, 11.9% of the population was under 18, highlighting a shift in age distribution.
**Increase in seniors**: The percentage of the population aged 65 or older increased from 5.6% in 1940 to 28.3% in 2020, reflecting a growing elderly population.
**Changes in household composition**: The number of households in Draper increased from 35 in 1940 to 43 in 2020, but the average household size decreased, indicating changes in household composition.
**Limited colorized images**: Colorized images of Draper, South Dakota in 1940 are not readily available, making historical comparisons challenging.
**Availability of historical photographs**: Historical photographs from the 1940s can be found through online archives and local historical societies, but colorized images are rare.
**Demographic changes**: The historical population of Draper, South Dakota has fluctuated, with a peak population of 252 in 1950, and a decline to 46 in 2020.
**Railroad influence**: Draper was laid out in 1906 and named after C.A.
Draper, a railroad official, highlighting the influence of railroads on town development.
**Economic changes**: The auction prices of Angus bulls at the Fuoss Angus Ranch in Draper, South Dakota have likely changed over the years, reflecting shifts in the local economy.
**Rural-urban migration**: The decline in population in Draper, South Dakota, reflects a broader trend of rural-urban migration, where people move from rural areas to urban centers for better opportunities.
**Aging infrastructure**: The reduction in available housing stock and occupied dwellings in Draper, South Dakota, may indicate aging infrastructure and reduced investment in rural areas.
**Digital archiving**: The availability of historical photographs and documents online has facilitated research and comparison of Draper, South Dakota, over time, highlighting the importance of digital archiving.
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