Jerauld County
SD · Pop. 1,845 · Rural County
Jerauld County sits in South Dakota across 526 square miles, home to 1,845 people at 3.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $127,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.95% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.3°F and average winter lows of 11.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 25.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.95% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $127,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.2 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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 163-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 11.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Jerauld County, SD is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 74/100
- Median home price
- $127k
- Property tax
- 0.95%
- Growing season
- 163 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 25.4"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center, 3.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jerauld County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jerauld County?
- Jerauld County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.3°F, and average winter lows of 11.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $127,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.95%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center is 3.2 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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More counties in South Dakota
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The closest counties to Jerauld 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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