Skip to content
Submit

McCook County

SD · Pop. 5,732 · Rural County

32/100Homestead Score

McCook County is a rural county in South Dakota, spanning 574 square miles with 5,732 residents at a density of 10 people 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 $217,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.98%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.8°F and average winter lows of 9.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 27 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Freeman Medical Center is 23.3 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.98%
Growing Season: 154 days
Broadband: 97.3%
Density: 10/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 97.3% 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 10 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.
  • A low poverty rate of 7.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.

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 154-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • The nearest hospital, Freeman Medical Center, is 23.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.

At a glance

McCook County, SD is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
32/100
Median home price
$217k
Property tax
0.98%
Growing season
154 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
27"
Broadband
97.3%
Nearest hospital
Freeman Medical Center, 23.3 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.98%
Median Household Income$80,847
Poverty Rate7.4%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$217K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season154 days
Annual Rainfall27 inches
Avg Summer High80.8°F
Avg Winter Low9.2°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado7/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFreeman Medical Center (23.3 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate1.9%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in McCook County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in McCook County?
McCook County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 154-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.8°F, and average winter lows of 9.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $217,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.98%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Freeman Medical Center is 23.3 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.

Explore South Dakota Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in South Dakota

All South Dakota counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to McCook 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.