South Dakota · Off-grid & homestead potential

Pennington County

57BoltScore / 100
#64 of 66 in South Dakota

Pennington County is a solid bolthole (57/100). Its strengths are deep isolation — 264 mi to the nearest city and strong economic & personal freedom (61% Republican). The trade-offs: elevated natural-hazard exposure and middling conditions for growing food.

How Pennington County scores

Hazard Safety21
Freedom77
Food34
Isolation97
Sovereignty40
Water58
Affordability70
$367kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$1,513Land / acre
19.3"Annual rain
13.8% of yrsSevere drought
264 miNearest metro
41.7People / sq mi
40.1%Federal land
46.2°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Pennington County, South Dakota

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

Pennington County is a solid bolthole (57/100). Its strengths: deep isolation — 264 mi to the nearest city and strong economic & personal freedom (61% Republican). Watch-outs: elevated natural-hazard exposure and middling conditions for growing food.

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

Land in Pennington County runs about $1,513 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Pennington County?

Pennington County gets about 19.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 13.8% of years.

How remote is Pennington County?

The nearest major metro is about 264 miles away, and population density is 41.7 people per square mile.

How Pennington compares in South Dakota

See all 66 South Dakota counties ranked →