Kingsbury County
SD · Pop. 5,210 · Rural County
Kingsbury County, South Dakota covers 832 square miles with a population of 5,210 and a density of 6.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $160,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.99%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F and average winter lows of 8.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 26 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Avera Desmet Memorial Hospital is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $160,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Avera Desmet Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 6.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- A 154-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 8.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Kingsbury County, SD is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $160k
- Property tax
- 0.99%
- Growing season
- 154 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 26"
- Broadband
- 98%
- Nearest hospital
- Avera Desmet Memorial Hospital, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Kingsbury County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Kingsbury County?
- Kingsbury County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F, and average winter lows of 8.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $160,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.99%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Avera Desmet Memorial Hospital is 3.4 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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More counties in South Dakota
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The closest counties to Kingsbury 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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