The map above shows South Dakota and Australian Capital Territory side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
South Dakota vs Australian Capital Territory Geography
Land area: South Dakota has a land area of 75,808 square miles (196,342 km²), while Australian Capital Territory has 910 square miles (2,358 km²). South Dakota's land area is 83.3 times larger than Australian Capital Territory's.
Total area: South Dakota: 77,116 square miles (199,729 km²) vs Australian Capital Territory: 910 square miles (2,358 km²), including inland and coastal water. South Dakota's total area is 84.7 times larger than Australian Capital Territory's.
Length: South Dakota is 443 miles (712 km) long from north to south; Australian Capital Territory is 54 miles (87 km). South Dakota's north-south length is 8.2 times (720%) longer than Australian Capital Territory's.
Width: South Dakota spans 371 miles (597 km) east to west; Australian Capital Territory spans 38 miles (61 km). South Dakota's east-west width is 9.8 times (876%) wider than Australian Capital Territory's.
Highest point: South Dakota's highest point is Black Elk Peak at 7,198 feet (2,194 m); Australian Capital Territory's is Bimberi Peak at 6,273 feet (1,912 m). Black Elk Peak is 925 feet higher than Bimberi Peak.
Lowest point: South Dakota's lowest point is Big Stone Lake at 966 feet; Australian Capital Territory's is Molonglo River at 1,407 feet. South Dakota's lowest point is 441 feet lower.
South Dakota vs Australian Capital Territory Population and History
Population: South Dakota has a population of 924,669 (2024), while Australian Capital Territory has 486,231 (2025). South Dakota's population is 1.9 times (90%) larger than Australian Capital Territory's.
Population density: South Dakota: 12.2 people per square mile vs Australian Capital Territory: 534.3. Australian Capital Territory's population density is 43.8 times higher than South Dakota's.
Largest metro area: South Dakota's largest metropolitan area is Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area (308,266 people) vs Australian Capital Territory's Greater Canberra (486,231). Greater Canberra's population is 1.6 times (58%) larger than Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area's.
History: South Dakota: Admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889, as the 40th state. Australian Capital Territory: Established as the Federal Capital Territory on January 1, 1911. In its current form, South Dakota is the older of the two by 22 years.
South Dakota vs Australian Capital Territory Economy
GDP: South Dakota's GDP is $76.8 billion (2024) vs Australian Capital Territory's $38.0 billion. South Dakota's economic output is 2.0 times (102%) larger than Australian Capital Territory's.
GDP per capita: South Dakota: $83,052 per person vs Australian Capital Territory: $78,152. South Dakota's GDP per capita is 1.1 times (6%) higher than Australian Capital Territory's.
Official Websites
South Dakota official website · Australian Capital Territory official website
More Size Comparisons
All South Dakota size comparisons · All Australian Capital Territory size comparisons
Area, elevation and boundary figures come from official national statistics and US Census Bureau and Natural Earth boundary data; US state population, economic, county and tax figures come from the US Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Tax Foundation. Figures are rounded and for general reference.