Marshall County
SD · Pop. 4,355 · Rural County
Marshall County sits in South Dakota across 838 square miles, home to 4,355 people at 5.2 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 $147,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.91%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F and average winter lows of 3.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 23.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Marshall County Healthcare Center is 8.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.91% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $147,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Marshall County Healthcare Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.7 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.
- A 145-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 3.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Marshall County, SD is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 72/100
- Median home price
- $147k
- Property tax
- 0.91%
- Growing season
- 145 days (zone 4a)
- Annual rainfall
- 23.9"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Marshall County Healthcare Center, 8.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marshall County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marshall County?
- Marshall County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.4°F, and average winter lows of 3.6°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $147,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.91%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Marshall County Healthcare Center is 8.7 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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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in South Dakota
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The closest counties to Marshall 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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