Edmunds County
SD · Pop. 4,033 · Rural County
Edmunds County is a rural county in South Dakota, spanning 1,126 square miles with 4,033 residents at a density of 3.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. The median home price is $164,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.87%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F and average winter lows of 6°F. Annual rainfall averages 21.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Bowdle Hospital is 22.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.87% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $164,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 3.6 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 143-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 21.1 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Bowdle Hospital, is 22.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Edmunds County, SD is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 54/100
- Median home price
- $164k
- Property tax
- 0.87%
- Growing season
- 143 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 21.1"
- Broadband
- 97.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Bowdle Hospital, 22.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Edmunds County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Edmunds County?
- Edmunds County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 143-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F, and average winter lows of 6°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $164,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.87%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bowdle Hospital is 22.3 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
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AcreTrader
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More counties in South Dakota
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The closest counties to Edmunds 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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