Home Insurance in Meade County, South Dakota
Homes in Meade County carry a median value of $310,900 - 21% higher than the South Dakota median.
Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild. The typical home in Meade County was built around 1990. About 16% of homes were built before 1960, about 12 points below South Dakota's 28%.
Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy. The housing stock in Meade County is 78% single-family homes, 6% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 12% mobile or manufactured homes.
55% of owner-occupied homes in Meade County carry a mortgage, and mortgage lenders require hazard insurance for as long as the loan is active.
The vacancy rate is 7%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy. About 73% of occupied homes in Meade County are owner-occupied.
Homes heated with propane can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies. In Meade County, 47% of homes are primarily heated with natural gas.
The top hazards for Meade County, per FEMA's National Risk Index, are wildfire (Relatively Moderate), winter weather (Relatively High) and hail (Relatively Low).
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy. As of September 2026, Meade County has 80 active NFIP flood policies on file.
According to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data), a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in South Dakota carries a statewide average premium of $1,614 per year.
Key figures
| Median home value | $310,900 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1990 |
| Owner-occupied share | 73% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 55% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Wildfire (Relatively Moderate), Winter Weather (Relatively High), Hail (Relatively Low) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 80 |
| 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)