South Dakota · Off-grid & homestead potential

Custer County

63BoltScore / 100
#54 of 66 in South Dakota

Custer County is a solid bolthole (63/100). Its strengths are deep isolation — 228 mi to the nearest city and low natural-disaster risk. The trade-offs: middling conditions for growing food and 41.4% of it owned by the federal government.

How Custer County scores

Hazard Safety84
Freedom81
Food34
Isolation100
Sovereignty37
Water51
Affordability52
$516kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$1,832Land / acre
19.2"Annual rain
11.8% of yrsSevere drought
228 miNearest metro
5.9People / sq mi
41.4%Federal land
46.1°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Custer County, South Dakota

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

Custer County is a solid bolthole (63/100). Its strengths: deep isolation — 228 mi to the nearest city and low natural-disaster risk. Watch-outs: middling conditions for growing food and 41.4% of it owned by the federal government.

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

Land in Custer County runs about $1,832 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Custer County?

Custer County gets about 19.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 11.8% of years.

How remote is Custer County?

The nearest major metro is about 228 miles away, and population density is 5.9 people per square mile.

How Custer compares in South Dakota

See all 66 South Dakota counties ranked →