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Sully County

SD · Pop. 1,481 · Rural County

44/100Homestead Score

Sully County, South Dakota covers 1,007 square miles with a population of 1,481 and a density of 1.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on wheat, sunflower, corn. The median home price is $199,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.85%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F and average winter lows of 8.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 20.7 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Avera Missouri River Health Center is 22 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.85%
Growing Season: 139 days
Broadband: 100%
Density: 1.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.85% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $199,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on wheat, sunflower, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 1.5 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 139-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • Annual rainfall of just 20.7 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
  • The nearest hospital, Avera Missouri River Health Center, is 22 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
  • Average winter lows of 8.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
44/100
Median home price
$199k
Property tax
0.85%
Growing season
139 days (zone 4b)
Annual rainfall
20.7"
Broadband
100%
Nearest hospital
Avera Missouri River Health Center, 22 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.85%
Median Household Income$70,250
Poverty Rate7.9%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$199K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone4b
Growing Season139 days
Annual Rainfall20.7 inches
Avg Summer High84.5°F
Avg Winter Low8.7°F
Top CropsWheat, Sunflower, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado2/10
Flood2/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalAvera Missouri River Health Center (22 mi)
Emergency RoomNo
Healthcare Facilities0

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage100%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate1.7%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Sully County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Sully County?
Sully County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 139-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F, and average winter lows of 8.7°F. The established crops are wheat, sunflower, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $199,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.85%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Avera Missouri River Health Center is 22 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.