Deuel County
SD · Pop. 4,318 · Rural County
Deuel County is a rural county in South Dakota, spanning 623 square miles with 4,318 residents at a density of 6.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $180,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.82%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.4°F and average winter lows of 5.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 26.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center is 0.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.82% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $180,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 0.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 5.9°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Deuel County, SD is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 74/100
- Median home price
- $180k
- Property tax
- 0.82%
- Growing season
- 144 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 26.9"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center, 0.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Deuel County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Deuel County?
- Deuel County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.4°F, and average winter lows of 5.9°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $180,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.82%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center is 0.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore South Dakota Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in South Dakota
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The closest counties to Deuel 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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