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Davison County

SD · Pop. 19,936 · Suburban County

46/100Homestead Score

Davison County, South Dakota covers 436 square miles with a population of 19,936 and a density of 45.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $190,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.24% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 153-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.4°F and average winter lows of 11.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 25.9 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Avera Queen of Peace is 7.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.24%
Growing Season: 153 days
Broadband: 100%
Density: 45.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $190,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Avera Queen of Peace, with an emergency room, is just 7.7 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 1.8% reflects a stable local job base.

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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A 153-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 11.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Davison County, SD is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
46/100
Median home price
$190k
Property tax
1.24%
Growing season
153 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
25.9"
Broadband
100%
Nearest hospital
Avera Queen of Peace, 7.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.24%
Median Household Income$61,401
Poverty Rate12.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$190K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season153 days
Annual Rainfall25.9 inches
Avg Summer High84.4°F
Avg Winter Low11.3°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Corn, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado8/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAvera Queen of Peace (7.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage100%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate1.8%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Davison County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Davison County?
Davison County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 153-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.4°F, and average winter lows of 11.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $190,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.24%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Avera Queen of Peace is 7.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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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.