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Hutchinson County

SD · Pop. 7,393 · Rural County

46/100Homestead Score

Hutchinson County sits in South Dakota across 813 square miles, home to 7,393 people at 9.1 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 $161,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.12%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F and average winter lows of 12.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Avera St. Benedict Health Center is 12.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99% 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: 1.12%
Growing Season: 152 days
Broadband: 99%
Density: 9.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $161,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 9.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 1.9% 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 152-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Average winter lows of 12.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
46/100
Median home price
$161k
Property tax
1.12%
Growing season
152 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
24.3"
Broadband
99%
Nearest hospital
Avera St. Benedict Health Center, 12.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.12%
Median Household Income$74,459
Poverty Rate10%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$161K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season152 days
Annual Rainfall24.3 inches
Avg Summer High84.7°F
Avg Winter Low12.2°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado7/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAvera St. Benedict Health Center (12.9 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate1.9%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Hutchinson County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Hutchinson County?
Hutchinson County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 152-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F, and average winter lows of 12.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $161,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.12%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Avera St. Benedict Health Center is 12.9 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.