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County in South Dakota

Lawrence County, South Dakota

Lawrence County is a county in South Dakota with 27,233 residents, No. 8 of 66 by population. In Lawrence County, the FHA loan limit for a one-unit home is $541,650, and a typical home is worth $346,500. To rent a 2-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent ($1,207 a month) without going over 30% of your income, you need to earn about $23.21 an hour.

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  • Typical home price

    $346,500

    +35% vs. South Dakota +4% vs. U.S.

    Half of owner-occupied homes are worth more and half are worth less.

    • Lawrence
    • South Dakota
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

  • Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms

    $1,207 a month

    +2% vs. South Dakota −31% vs. U.S.

    HUD's reference rent for a two-bedroom apartment, with basic utilities.

    • Lawrence
    • South Dakota
    • United States

    Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

  • FHA limit 2026, 1 unit

    $541,650

    FHA high-cost area

    The most you can borrow with an FHA loan for a one-unit home here.

    • Lawrence
    • Floor
    • Ceiling

    Source: HUD, 2026 data

  • Property tax

    0.79% of value per year

    −25% vs. South Dakota −16% vs. U.S.

    $2,744 a year for the typical owner

    • Lawrence
    • South Dakota
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$442,665
0.7% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,489 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Data from October 2026

In short

What is housing like in Lawrence County today?

With an FHA loan and the minimum down payment, a typical home would cost about $2,831 a month: 46% of the typical household income here. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $121,309 a year; the typical income here is $73,384. The typical home value is 35% more than in South Dakota overall. This is a high-cost area for FHA: the limit is above the national floor.

34% of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on housing, less than in South Dakota (40%). There are 1 agency with HUD-approved housing counselors who speak Spanish near here.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); HUD (2026 data); HUD (Retrieved November 6, 2026).

Only here

What sets Lawrence County apart

  1. Nearby, in Harding County, the typical home value is $166,100: 52% less than in Lawrence County ($346,500).

  2. Among the neighboring counties, Harding County has the lowest typical rent ($521), 44% below the $938 in Lawrence County.

  3. At $346,500, Lawrence County ranks 3rd among the 66 counties in South Dakota for the highest typical home value.

  4. From 2020 to 2025, home prices in Lawrence County rose 68% on FHFA's index, faster than in South Dakota (50%).

  5. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Lawrence County fell 0.7%; in South Dakota, it rose 2.3%.

  6. At 0.79%, Lawrence County ranks 6th among the 65 counties in South Dakota with this figure for the lowest effective property tax rate.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); FHFA (2025 data); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Lawrence County

What homes there are in Lawrence County, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house is the most common home in Lawrence County: 65% of homes, near the figure in South Dakota (67%).

Year built

The typical home in Lawrence County was built in 1987, 7 years after the typical one in South Dakota.

In Lawrence County, 14% of homes have 1 bedroom or none (studios); 57% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 62% in South Dakota.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

The FHA loan limit for this county is $541,650, and about 78% of owner-occupied homes in Lawrence County are worth less than that.

Monthly rent with utilities

By rent, most homes in Lawrence County cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,207): about 67%.

With a mortgage

$1,693 a month

South Dakota: $1,680 a month

Without a mortgage

$648 a month

South Dakota: $617 a month

Owners with a mortgage

52%

South Dakota: 55%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Lawrence County is $1,693 a month, near the figure in South Dakota ($1,680).

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Since 2015–2019, homes in Lawrence County gained value faster than in South Dakota: 67% against 54%.

The typical rent in Lawrence County rose 23% over the same time; in South Dakota, it rose 27%.

The typical household income in Lawrence County rose 39% over that time; home values changed +67% and rent +23%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureLawrence CountySouth DakotaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate6.0%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.3%3.4%
People per household 2.182.392.53
Drive alone 76%77%69%
Carpool 11%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike 4%3%3%
Work from home 7%10%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in Lawrence County are smaller: 2.18 people on average; in South Dakota, 2.39.

The car rules in Lawrence County: 76% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 10 to 19 minutes.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month in Lawrence County?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home of $346,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 46% of the typical household income here, which is $73,384 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $121,309 a year.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Lawrence County. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $12,128 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,831

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$340,224
Total interest
$489,502
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $5,852 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,712 a month

  • Tight

    $1,712 to $2,202 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,202 a month

    Your payment · 46%

Compared with the typical household income in Lawrence County ($73,384 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,831
Principal & interest$2,305
Property tax$228
Home insurance$144
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$153

You need at least $12,128 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

Buying a home

Buying a home in Lawrence County

Here you'll see how prices have changed, how Lawrence County compares with South Dakota and the country, and what you'd pay each month with four kinds of loans.

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in Lawrence County rose 111% in the 10 years through 2025. FHFA's index follows the price of the same homes over the years.

Period Here South Dakota United States
In 2025 +4.3% +3.1% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +68% +50% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +111% +85% +85%
See each year's change

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Lawrence County compared with South Dakota and the United States

Home value, rent and household income, side by side. "Typical" is the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Lawrence $346,500
  • South Dakota $257,400
  • United States $332,700
Typical rent a month
  • Lawrence $938
  • South Dakota $946
  • United States $1,413
Typical household income a year
  • Lawrence $73,384
  • South Dakota $75,081
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Lawrence compared with South Dakota and the United States
MeasureHereSouth DakotaU.S.
Residents27,233907,428334,922,499
Typical home value$346,500$257,400$332,700
Typical household income$73,384$75,081$80,734
Typical rent$938$946$1,413
Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms)$1,207$1,187$1,750
Hourly wage to rent a 2-bedroom$23.21$22.83$33.65
Typical property tax$2,744$2,724$3,119
Effective tax rate0.79%1.06%0.94%
Households that own their home65%69%65%
Renters spending 30% or more on rent34%40%51%
FHA limit (1 unit)*$541,650$541,287$541,287

FHA limit: South Dakota shows the median of its counties; the United States, the national floor. Download CSV

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Lawrence County

For a typical $346,500 home at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, the county's property tax, an example homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

Loan Monthly payment Down payment Loan amount Rate Mortgage insurance Cash to close Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down $2,831 $12,128 $340,224 7.18% FHA MIP · $153 $22,523 580
Conventional, 5% down $2,767 $17,325 $329,175 7.18% PMI · $165 $27,720 620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,250 $69,300 $277,200 7.18% None $79,695 620*
ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,571 $51,975 $294,525 8.18% None $62,370 Set by the lender
  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Closing costs

Loan limits

This is a high-cost area, so FHA limits in Lawrence County are above the national floor. The limit is set for the whole metro area (Spearfish, SD). If the loan you need is above these amounts, it doesn't fit FHA or it becomes a "jumbo" loan.

VA loans. If you have full VA entitlement, VA doesn't cap the loan amount. If you've used part of your entitlement, the calculation uses the county limit ($832,750 for one unit). VA loan limits (va.gov)

USDA loans. They're for homes in eligible rural areas and households with incomes within USDA's limit. Check whether the address and your income qualify on the official site. USDA eligibility (usda.gov)

Home type FHA limit Conforming limit
1 unit $541,650 $832,750
2 units $693,400 $1,066,250
3 units $838,150 $1,288,800
4 units $1,041,650 $1,601,750

Source: HUD, 2026 data · Source: FHFA, 2026 data

Taxes and risks

Property tax and flooding in Lawrence County

Two costs that change a lot from place to place and that a house payment does include: property tax and, in risk zones, flood insurance.

Property tax

In Lawrence County, the typical owner pays $2,744 a year: about 0.79% of the home's value. That is less than the rest of South Dakota and less than the national average.

  • Lawrence 0.79%
  • South Dakota 1.06%
  • United States 0.94%

What South Dakota publishes Owner-occupied classification (South Dakota Department of Revenue (Owner-Occupied Classification tax fact, July 2026))

Exemptions and deadlines in South Dakota

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in Lawrence County 4.8% of homes (644) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 8.7% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. (44 CFR 59.1)
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. (42 U.S.C. 4012a)
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. (FEMA, FloodSmart)

Source: FEMA, As of August 3, 2026

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Owning a home here

Owning a home in Lawrence County

The natural hazards FEMA measures in Lawrence County, a maintenance plan for your climate and what the trades earn in your area.

Risks to your home

FEMA, National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025)

FEMA rates the natural hazard risk in Lawrence County as relatively low.

That rating combines the loss FEMA expects with social vulnerability and community resilience.

In all, FEMA estimates natural hazards cause about $16.1 million in losses a year in Lawrence County, across buildings, people and crops.

Of all the hazards, FEMA expects inland flooding to do the most damage to buildings: about $8.4 million a year.

Loss FEMA expects each year to homes and buildings, by hazard
  1. Inland floodingRelatively low $8.4 million a year
  2. WildfireRelatively moderate $2.3 million a year
  3. TornadoRelatively low $390,797 a year
  4. Winter weatherRelatively high $368,272 a year
  5. EarthquakeVery low $117,992 a year

What it means for your home

The ratings are FEMA's own. FEMA says its data is meant for planning and does not replace a local study. Drought is not shown: FEMA counts its loss in crops only.

National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025), retrieved November 6, 2026

FEMA notice: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Climate and upkeep

Department of Energy (PNNL), 2021 IECC zones

Lawrence County is climate zone 6A in the home energy code (IECC): cold.

The zone's number says how hot or cold it gets; the letter says how humid: A is moist, B is dry and C is marine.

  • Spring

    • Book the air conditioner's check-up before the heat: ENERGY STAR advises checking the cooling system in the spring, because contractors get busy once summer comes. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Clean and repair the roof gutters. EPA

  • Summer

    • Seal the air ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage with duct mastic or foil tape, then wrap them in insulation. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Check that the ground slopes away from the house, so water does not collect around the foundation. EPA

  • Fall

    • Book the heating check-up in the fall. If it runs on gas or oil, the technician should check the connections: faulty ones are a fire hazard. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Seal air leaks and add insulation in the attic: ENERGY STAR says it lowers the chance of ice dams on the roof in snowy climates. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Winter

    • Get the house ready for the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Ready.gov (FEMA)
    • Put clear plastic film over the windows: it is inexpensive, cuts drafts, helps the house feel warmer in winter and reduces moisture on the glass. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

All year

  • Check the air filter every month, especially in heavy-use months. If it looks dirty, change it; change it at least every 3 months. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
  • Test the smoke alarms every month and replace their batteries at least once a year. USFA (FEMA)

Each task comes from the official page beside it. The spring air-conditioning and fall heating check-ups are the timing ENERGY STAR advises; the rest is a suggested order.

Climate zones by county, 2021 IECC

What the trades charge here

BLS, wages for May 2025

TradeTypical hourly wage8 in 10 earn between
Electricians$30.08$20.56 and $38.15
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$24.26$18.24 and $35.51
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics$28.63$20.27 and $34.77
Roofers$22.94$16.75 and $28.08
Carpenters$21.99$17.10 and $30.24
Painters, construction and maintenance$22.85$17.06 and $30.52
Maintenance and repair workers, general$23.42$17.26 and $31.40

In the West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area, half of electricians earn more than $30.08 an hour and half earn less; for a plumber, the typical figure is $24.26.

These are workers' hourly wages, not the price of a job.

Need help paying for a repair?

Renting

Renting in Lawrence County

The typical rent in Lawrence County is $938 a month. HUD also publishes a “fair market rent” by unit size: it's the one programs like Section 8 use.

34% of renter households in Lawrence County spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 18% spend half or more.

Fair market rent by size

To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $841 $16.17 $33,640
1 bedroom $923 $17.75 $36,920
2 bedrooms $1,207 $23.21 $48,280
3 bedrooms $1,671 $32.13 $66,840
4 bedrooms $2,017 $38.79 $80,680

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Free help in Lawrence County

Programs and counseling in Lawrence County

There is 1 HUD-approved housing counseling agency in Lawrence County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, with rent, or if you've fallen behind on payments.

Official programs for the down payment and loans for buyers. Check which ones you might qualify for with your income and your county.

A father and mother walk their son by the hand down the sidewalk.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

South Dakota down payment programs

  1. Fixed Rate Plus

    South Dakota state authority mortgage with 3% or 5% of the loan for the down payment and closing costs, as a 0% second mortgage with no payments, repaid when you sell or pay off the home

    The source does not say whether you must be a first-time buyer. Run by South Dakota Housing Development Authority.

    Deferred Verified November 5, 2026

  2. South Dakota Housing Tax Credit (MCC)

    South Dakota state authority certificate that turns part of your mortgage interest into a credit on your federal taxes, of up to $2,000 a year while you live in the home and keep the original mortgage; for first-time buyers, requested through a participating lender before closing

    First-time buyers only. Run by South Dakota Housing Development Authority.

    Tax credit Verified November 5, 2026

Which programs do I qualify for? See all South Dakota programs

Help in Spanish in Lawrence County

None of the 1 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Public housing agencies

HUD lists no public housing authority based in Lawrence County. The authority of a nearby county or the state may serve this area.

Free legal help

If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.

Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Housing counseling nearby

These agencies have an office in Lawrence County. The full list is on the South Dakota counselors page. Official HUD list. Confirm hours and fees with the agency before you go.

  • Neighborworks Dakota Home Resources

    795 Main St, Deadwood

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 4 more
    (605) 578-1401
See every agency in South Dakota

Places

Cities in Lawrence County

This site has no city pages of Lawrence County. The neighboring counties are below.

See all 1 cities of Lawrence County

Nearby counties

Each row compares its typical value, typical rent and FHA limit with Lawrence County.

Read next

Guides that help here

We picked them by this county's numbers: what weighs most here is what's worth understanding first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FHA loan limit in Lawrence County in 2026?

Lawrence County has an FHA limit of $541,650 for a one-unit home. For 2 units it's $693,400, for 3 it's $838,150 and for 4 it's $1,041,650. It's a high-cost area, so the limit is above the national floor.

What is the conforming loan limit in Lawrence County?

Lawrence County has a conforming limit of $832,750 for one-unit conventional loans in 2026. A bigger loan is a “jumbo” loan.

How much does a typical home cost in Lawrence County?

The typical home value in Lawrence County is $346,500 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). Across South Dakota it's $257,400.

How much does it cost to rent in Lawrence County?

Lawrence County has a typical rent of $938 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). HUD's fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,207 (Fiscal year 2027).

How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Lawrence County?

About $23.21 an hour working full time (2,080 hours a year), or $48,280 a year, so the fair market rent of $1,207 stays under 30% of income.

Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); National Risk Index (2025 data); IECC climate zones by county (2021 data); Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).