Codington County
SD · Pop. 28,556 · Suburban County
Codington County, South Dakota covers 688 square miles with a population of 28,556 and a density of 41.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $218,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.06%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 140-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.7°F and average winter lows of 6°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Prairie Lakes Hospital is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Prairie Lakes Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 2% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 10.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 140-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Codington County, SD is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $218k
- Property tax
- 1.06%
- Growing season
- 140 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 24.1"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Prairie Lakes Hospital, 5.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Codington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Codington County?
- Codington County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 140-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.7°F, and average winter lows of 6°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $218,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.06%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Prairie Lakes Hospital is 5.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in South Dakota
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The closest counties to Codington County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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