Oglala Lakota County
SD · Pop. 13,587 · Rural County
Oglala Lakota County is a rural county in South Dakota, spanning 2,094 square miles with 13,587 residents at a density of 6.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, wheat, corn. A median home price of $46,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.44% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 125-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F and average winter lows of 14.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 18.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Pine Ridge Hospital is 21.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 71.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.44% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $46,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 6.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 125-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 18.5 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 71.4% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Pine Ridge Hospital, is 21.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Oglala Lakota County, SD is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 44/100
- Median home price
- $46k
- Property tax
- 0.44%
- Growing season
- 125 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 18.5"
- Broadband
- 71.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Pine Ridge Hospital, 21.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Oglala Lakota County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Oglala Lakota County?
- Oglala Lakota County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 125-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.7°F, and average winter lows of 14.9°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $46,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.44%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 71.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Pine Ridge Hospital is 21.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore South Dakota Resources
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More counties in South Dakota
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The closest counties to Oglala Lakota 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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