South Dakota Land for Sale

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South Dakota Land Information

Recent internal data records $1 billion of South Dakota land listings and rural property for sale. With thousands of properties and rural land for sale in the state, these land listings account for a combined 79,814 acres of South Dakota land for sale. The average price of South Dakota land parcels and rural property for sale is $493,924. South Dakota's agricultural economy is dominated by crop production, with top products including corn, soybeans, and wheat. The state is also a leading producer of cattle and hogs, and its favorable climate and soil also support the production of sunflowers and other crops. Agriculture is a significant contributor to the state's economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue annually. The state has been ranked among the ten best states for retirement by Kiplinger. In terms of landmass, South Dakota is the country's 17th-largest state, covering 77,121 square miles (49 million acres). Wildlife species to be found on land for sale in South Dakota include mule deer, turkey, whitetail deer, pheasant, ducks, grouse, geese, and elk. Anglers have their pick of trout, pike, and walleye.

South Dakota is known for its vast and varied hunting opportunities. It has over 5 million acres of public land, including national forests, state parks, and wildlife refuges, offering hunting for game species such as deer, turkey, pheasant, grouse, and waterfowl. The state also has many private hunting lodges and outfitters catering to hunters.
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More Information About South Dakota

South Dakota is located in the Midwestern United States and borders North Dakota to the north, Minnesota and Iowa to the east, Nebraska to the south, and Wyoming and Montana to the west. It is named for the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native American tribes, who are a significant portion of the population in the state and historically dominated the territory. It is 17th in size but the fifth least populated state. The official nickname of South Dakota is "The Mount Rushmore State," but it has also been called "The Coyote State," the official state animal. Pierre is the state capital, the second smallest state capital in the country, and Sioux Falls is the largest city. Other larger cities in the state are Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, Mitchell, Yankton, Huron, and Spearfish. Much of the population lives in the eastern half of the state, where the soil is fertile and a variety of crops are grown. West of the Missouri River, ranching is the primary agricultural activity, where the economy depends more on tourism and defense spending.

The service industry is the largest economic contributor in the state, which includes retail, finance and healthcare industries. The largest bank holding company in the U.S. at one time established its national baking operations in South Dakota. Government spending also contributes greatly to the economy, with Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City being the second largest single employer in South Dakota. Agricultural production is still very important to the state's economy, especially in rural areas. The top five agricultural products are cattle, corn (maize), soybeans, wheat, and hogs. Other agricultural-related industries, such as meat packing and ethanol production, also have an impact on the economy of South Dakota. It is the sixth leading ethanol-producing state in the country. Tourism is also important to the state's economy, especially attractions in the Black Hills region with the historic Old West town of Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and the other state and national parks. South Dakota has more than 20 higher education institutions, with the largest being South Dakota State University in Brookings, with more than 12,000 students enrolled, and University of South Dakota in Vermillion, the oldest university in South Dakota and the state's only law school and medical school. Augustana College in Sioux Falls is the largest private university.

The Missouri River, the longest river in South Dakota, bisects the state, dividing it into two geographically and social distinct halves, sometimes called East River and West River. Other major rivers include the Cheyenne River, James River, Big Sioux River, and White River. The eastern part of the state has many natural lakes, and also dams, on the Missouri River, creating four large reservoirs: Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis and Clark Lake. It is part of the Great Plains region. There are around 50 national and state parks, wildlife refuges and other protected areas. Badlands National Park is a highlight, featuring an eroded, brightly-colored landscape surrounded by grasslands. Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the famous sculpture of four U.S. Presidents carved into the mountainside, with the Crazy Horse Memorial nearby, the largest sculpture in the world, in honor of the Native American chief. Wind Cave National Park features an extensive cave network and a large herd of bison. Missouri National Recreational River, which spans several counties on the Nebraska border. The Mammoth Site near Hot Springs has an active paleontological dig and contains one of the largest concentrations of mammoth remains in the world. Fishing and hunting are popular outdoor activities, with popular game being pheasants, white-tailed deer, mule deer, turkeys, Canada geese, snow geese and mallards, and fish including walleye in the eastern glacial lakes and Missouri River reservoirs, chinook salmon in Lake Oahe, and trout in the Black Hills region. There are also a number of trails for cyclists, hikers, and runners. The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws several hundred thousand visitors from all over the country.