Hughes County
SD · Pop. 17,732 · Rural County
Hughes County, South Dakota covers 742 square miles with a population of 17,732 and a density of 23.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, sunflower, corn. The median home price is $221,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.14%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 126-day growing season, average summer highs of 84°F and average winter lows of 6°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Avera St. Mary's Hospital is 18.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, sunflower, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 23.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 1.7% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 9.2% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 126-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 18.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Average winter lows of 6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Hughes County, SD is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 38/100
- Median home price
- $221k
- Property tax
- 1.14%
- Growing season
- 126 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 18.5"
- Broadband
- 100%
- Nearest hospital
- Avera St. Mary's Hospital, 18.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hughes County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hughes County?
- Hughes County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 126-day growing season, average summer highs of 84°F, and average winter lows of 6°F. The established crops are wheat, sunflower, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $221,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.14%. 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?
- Avera St. Mary's Hospital is 18.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore South Dakota Resources
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More counties in South Dakota
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The closest counties to Hughes 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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