What an Acre of Land Is Worth in South Dakota in 2026

South Dakota land values have always depended on what you’re buying, where it sits, and what it can produce. In 2024–2026, those differences have become even more noticeable as statewide averages rose, top-tier cropland pushed into five-figure territory, and certain counties outpaced the rest of the market. If you’re trying to price one acre in South Dakota, the most accurate answer comes from combining statewide benchmarks with county-level data and the land’s best use.

South Dakota land values at a glance (statewide context)

Statewide averages help you understand the market’s baseline—but they don’t capture the premium (or discount) that location and land class create.

• South Dakota farm real estate averaged $2,780 per acre in 2024, a 5.7% increase from 2023, according to USDA via Your Ag Network.
• For 2025, South Dakota farmland value is reported at $2,970 per acre, according to American Farmland Owner.

Zooming out to the national level provides another useful reference point for investors comparing states and regions.

• U.S. farm real estate value averaged $4,350 per acre in 2025, an increase of $180 per acre from 2024, according to USDA NASS.

Why “price per acre” varies so much inside South Dakota

One acre in South Dakota can trade for a few thousand dollars—or well into five figures—because buyers value land for what it can do. The biggest price drivers tend to be:

• Location and competition: proximity to growth corridors, ethanol markets, grain infrastructure, and strong local buyer demand can lift prices quickly.
• Land capability and income potential: highly productive cropland commands a premium over pasture, recreational, or marginal ground.
• Water and management flexibility: moisture, drainage, and irrigation potential can move valuations significantly, especially when comparing east vs. west.
• Market cycle and expectations: commodity margins, interest rates, and investor demand all shape what bidders are willing to pay.

East vs. West: the clearest split in South Dakota land pricing

South Dakota doesn’t behave like one single land market. In general, the eastern side of the state carries higher per-acre values due to stronger soils and crop production potential, while western areas often trend lower because of drier conditions and heavier reliance on grazing and larger-acreage ranch operations. Tourism-driven pockets—like the Black Hills—can create their own pricing rules for smaller tracts.

County examples that show how wide the range can be

If you want a realistic estimate for a specific acre, county-level benchmarks often tell the story better than statewide averages.

Miner County (recent price shifts)

• The average farmland value per acre in Miner County was $10,410 in 2024, according to Farmland Intel.
• In Q2 2025, the average farmland value per acre in Miner County was $9,327, according to Farmland Intel.

That kind of year-to-year and quarter-to-quarter movement is exactly why local comps and timing matter when you’re pricing a parcel.

Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties (high-demand eastern markets)

• Lincoln County farmland value was $18,115.71 per acre in Q4 2024, according to Growers Edge.
• Minnehaha County farmland value was $15,844.74 per acre in Q4 2024, according to Growers Edge.

These numbers highlight how quickly values can climb near major economic centers and premium cropland regions in eastern South Dakota.

Cropland premiums: what top-quality ground can sell for

When you move from “average farmland” to “highly productive cropland,” per-acre pricing can change dramatically—especially in the southeast.

• Non-irrigated highly productive cropland in southeastern South Dakota averaged $11,165 per acre in the 2024 Land Value Survey, according to South Dakota State University via Stalcup Ag.
• Across the state, the average $/acre on cropland-only sales in South Dakota was $14,155 in 2024, according to Stalcup Ag Service.

In other words, statewide averages can be useful for context, but they often understate what strong cropland sells for in competitive areas.

What to watch next: momentum entering 2026

Land markets rarely move in straight lines, but recent benchmarks suggest continued upward pressure—especially where production economics and buyer demand remain strong.

• South Dakota benchmark farmland values increased 2.20% entering 2026, according to Farm Credit Services of America.

Buying or selling in South Dakota: how to price one acre more accurately

If you’re buying, start with the land’s best use (cropland vs. pasture vs. recreation), then confirm value with nearby, recent sales and county benchmarks. If you’re selling, position the property around the features buyers pay for—access, soils, water, income history, and improvements—because those details can matter more than the statewide average.

One acre in South Dakota isn’t worth a single, universal number. The market ranges from the statewide baseline (in the low thousands per acre) to high-demand counties and cropland sales that push into the teens and beyond. The fastest path to a realistic value is simple: anchor to credible benchmarks, then validate with local comps that match your land’s capability and location.