Home Insurance in Custer County, South Dakota
Homes in Custer County carry a median value of $372,100 - 45% higher than the South Dakota median.
The typical home in Custer County was built around 1994. About 19% of homes were built before 1960, about 8 points below South Dakota's 28%. Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild.
In Custer County, the housing stock is 77% single-family homes, 5% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 16% mobile or manufactured homes. Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy.
53% of owner-occupied homes in Custer County carry a mortgage, and mortgage lenders require hazard insurance for as long as the loan is active.
The vacancy rate is 16%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy. About 86% of occupied homes in Custer County are owner-occupied.
Homes heated with propane and wood can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies. In Custer County, 41% of homes are primarily heated with propane.
The top hazards for Custer County, per FEMA's National Risk Index, are wildfire (Relatively Moderate), winter weather (Relatively Low) and hail (Relatively Low).
Custer County had 51 active National Flood Insurance Program policies as of September 2026. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
In South Dakota, the statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy is $1,614 per year (NAIC, 2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $372,100 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1994 |
| Owner-occupied share | 86% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 53% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Wildfire (Relatively Moderate), Winter Weather (Relatively Low), Hail (Relatively Low) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 51 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,614 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)