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Meade County

SD · Pop. 30,297 · Rural County

25/100Homestead Score

Meade County is a rural county in South Dakota, spanning 3,471 square miles with 30,297 residents at a density of 8.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, wheat, sunflower. A median home price of $275,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.03% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 130-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.3°F and average winter lows of 10.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Monument Health Sturgis Hospital is 41.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.03%
Growing Season: 130 days
Broadband: 92.3%
Density: 8.7/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on hay, wheat, sunflower means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 8.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 7.6% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 130-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 18.2 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • The nearest hospital, Monument Health Sturgis Hospital, is 41.5 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
  • Average winter lows of 10.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
25/100
Median home price
$275k
Property tax
1.03%
Growing season
130 days (zone 4b)
Annual rainfall
18.2"
Broadband
92.3%
Nearest hospital
Monument Health Sturgis Hospital, 41.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.03%
Median Household Income$74,161
Poverty Rate7.6%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$275K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4b
Growing Season130 days
Annual Rainfall18.2 inches
Avg Summer High82.3°F
Avg Winter Low10.3°F
Top CropsHay, Wheat, Sunflower

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado4/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMonument Health Sturgis Hospital (41.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities3

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage92.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Meade County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Meade County?
Meade County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 130-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.3°F, and average winter lows of 10.3°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, sunflower.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $275,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.03%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 92.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Monument Health Sturgis Hospital is 41.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.

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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.