South Dakota · Off-grid & homestead potential

Hand County

72BoltScore / 100
#16 of 66 in South Dakota

Hand County is a strong bolthole (72/100). Its strengths are low natural-disaster risk and deep isolation — 127 mi to the nearest city. The trade-offs: a short, cold growing season (44.9°F avg).

How Hand County scores

Hazard Safety94
Freedom84
Food36
Isolation90
Sovereignty79
Water47
Affordability77
$258kTypical home
0.9%Property tax
$2,875Land / acre
22.7"Annual rain
6.7% of yrsSevere drought
127 miNearest metro
2.2People / sq mi
23.2%Federal land
44.9°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Hand County, South Dakota

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

Hand County is a strong bolthole (72/100). Its strengths: low natural-disaster risk and deep isolation — 127 mi to the nearest city. Watch-outs: a short, cold growing season (44.9°F avg).

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

Land in Hand County runs about $2,875 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Hand County?

Hand County gets about 22.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 6.7% of years.

How remote is Hand County?

The nearest major metro is about 127 miles away, and population density is 2.2 people per square mile.

How Hand compares in South Dakota

See all 66 South Dakota counties ranked →