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Lyman County

SD · Pop. 3,717 · Rural County

40/100Homestead Score

Lyman County sits in South Dakota across 1,642 square miles, home to 3,717 people at 2.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, hay, sunflower. A median home price of $157,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.01% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 138-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F and average winter lows of 11.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 19.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center is 26.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.01%
Growing Season: 138 days
Broadband: 99.1%
Density: 2.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $157,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, hay, sunflower means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 2.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.3% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 138-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 19.6 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • The nearest hospital, Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center, is 26.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
  • A poverty rate of 24.6% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
40/100
Median home price
$157k
Property tax
1.01%
Growing season
138 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
19.6"
Broadband
99.1%
Nearest hospital
Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center, 26.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.01%
Median Household Income$61,169
Poverty Rate24.6%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$157K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season138 days
Annual Rainfall19.6 inches
Avg Summer High86.7°F
Avg Winter Low11.8°F
Top CropsWheat, Hay, Sunflower

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado3/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSanford Chamberlain Medical Center (26.8 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.1%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.3%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Lyman County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Lyman County?
Lyman County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 138-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.7°F, and average winter lows of 11.8°F. The established crops are wheat, hay, sunflower.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $157,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.01%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center is 26.8 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

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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.