South Dakota · Off-grid & homestead potential

Buffalo County

72BoltScore / 100
#19 of 66 in South Dakota

Buffalo County is a strong bolthole (72/100). Its strengths are cheap land ($1,941/acre) and deep isolation — 127 mi to the nearest city. The trade-offs: middling conditions for growing food.

How Buffalo County scores

Hazard Safety86
Freedom66
Food35
Isolation90
Sovereignty77
Water56
Affordability95
—Typical home
0.8%Property tax
$1,941Land / acre
22.1"Annual rain
10.6% of yrsSevere drought
127 miNearest metro
4People / sq mi
15%Federal land
46.3°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Buffalo County, South Dakota

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

Buffalo County is a strong bolthole (72/100). Its strengths: cheap land ($1,941/acre) and deep isolation — 127 mi to the nearest city. Watch-outs: middling conditions for growing food.

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

Land in Buffalo County runs about $1,941 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Buffalo County?

Buffalo County gets about 22.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.6% of years.

How remote is Buffalo County?

The nearest major metro is about 127 miles away, and population density is 4 people per square mile.

How Buffalo compares in South Dakota

See all 66 South Dakota counties ranked →