Meade County, founded in 1889, is the largest county by land area in South Dakota and lies just east of the Black Hills. Its county seat, Sturgis, is internationally famous for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Other towns include Piedmont, Summerset, and Union Center. The terrain ranges from rolling plains to forested hills, with agriculture and tourism as the economic mainstays. Sturgis acts as the commercial hub, offering schools, healthcare, and shopping, while rural Meade remains dedicated to ranching and hay production. The county is rural-urban mixed—Sturgis and Summerset have suburban neighborhoods, while the outlying area provides wide-open ranchlands. Home prices in Sturgis average $310 K–$420 K, while rural acreages and Black Hills-view properties range $500 K–$800 K +. Building new typically costs $225–$275 per sq ft, or $450 K–$600 K total. The nearest major city is Rapid City, just 25 miles southwest. Meade County is one of the most dynamic parts of western South Dakota, offering a mix of small-city convenience, rural peace, and year-round tourism energy.