Union County
SD · Pop. 16,916 · Suburban County
Union County sits in South Dakota across 461 square miles, home to 16,916 people at 36.7 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 $270,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.11%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 153-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 13°F. Annual rainfall averages 30 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Sanford Vermillion Hospital is 14.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.8% 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.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 96.8% 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.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.1% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.3% 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 153-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- The nearest hospital, Sanford Vermillion Hospital, is 14.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Union County, SD is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 29/100
- Median home price
- $270k
- Property tax
- 1.11%
- Growing season
- 153 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 30"
- Broadband
- 96.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Sanford Vermillion Hospital, 14.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Union County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Union County?
- Union County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 153-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 13°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $270,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.11%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Sanford Vermillion Hospital is 14.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in South Dakota
All South Dakota countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Union 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.