South Dakota · Off-grid & homestead potential

Butte County

69BoltScore / 100
#34 of 66 in South Dakota

Butte County is a strong bolthole (69/100). Its strengths are deep isolation — 254 mi to the nearest city and strong economic & personal freedom (78% Republican). The trade-offs: middling conditions for growing food.

How Butte County scores

Hazard Safety77
Freedom84
Food26
Isolation100
Sovereignty79
Water44
Affordability72
$355kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$1,359Land / acre
16.5"Annual rain
18.2% of yrsSevere drought
254 miNearest metro
4.8People / sq mi
11.1%Federal land
45.9°FAvg temp

Scout Butte County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →
Land for sale LandWatchHomes for sale Zillow

Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Living off-grid in Butte County, South Dakota

Is Butte County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Butte County is a strong bolthole (69/100). Its strengths: deep isolation — 254 mi to the nearest city and strong economic & personal freedom (78% Republican). Watch-outs: middling conditions for growing food.

How much does land cost in Butte County, South Dakota?

Land in Butte County runs about $1,359 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Butte County?

Butte County gets about 16.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 18.2% of years.

How remote is Butte County?

The nearest major metro is about 254 miles away, and population density is 4.8 people per square mile.

How Butte compares in South Dakota

See all 66 South Dakota counties ranked →