Roberts County
SD · Pop. 10,219 · Rural County
Roberts County sits in South Dakota across 1,101 square miles, home to 10,219 people at 9.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $139,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.05% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.3°F and average winter lows of 6.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 22.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Coteau Des Prairies Health Care System is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $139,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Coteau Des Prairies Health Care System, with an emergency room, is just 5.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 9.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 145-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 6.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Roberts County, SD is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 66/100
- Median home price
- $139k
- Property tax
- 1.05%
- Growing season
- 145 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 22.3"
- Broadband
- 99.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Coteau Des Prairies Health Care System, 5.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Roberts County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Roberts County?
- Roberts County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 145-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.3°F, and average winter lows of 6.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $139,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.05%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Coteau Des Prairies Health Care System is 5.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore South Dakota Resources
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More counties in South Dakota
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The closest counties to Roberts 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.
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