Aurora County lies in central South Dakota and is very rural in nature. It was created in 1879 and organized in 1881; it was named for the Roman goddess “Aurora”. The county seat and largest town is Plankinton, with another small settlement being White Lake and the town of Stickney (pop. ~321 in 2020) in the southwest. Historically the county’s land was used for agriculture (grain, cattle) and settled by prairie homesteaders; the terrain is low rolling hills, largely farmland with sparse population (population ~2,747 in 2020) and a density of around ~3.9 persons per square mile. Because of that farmland-character, many homes are single-family detached dwellings on large lots or small acreage; you’ll also find farm-houses, ranch-style homes, and some land parcels for building. Homes for sale in recent listings are often in the ~$290,000-$700,000 range for larger acreage listings. For example, recent listings show $294,500 for a 2-bed, 1-bath house, $349,900 for 4-bed, 2-bath, $440,000 for 4-bed on acreage, and a $700,000 listing for a 6-bed, 4-bath on 4,700 sq ft. Because of the rural setting, if you were to build a home on an acreage lot, you might expect land + build costs to place you in the $250K-$400K+ zone depending on size, utilities and outbuildings — and if larger acreage then $500K+. The nearest larger city is Mitchell, South Dakota (about ~35-40 miles to the east) or similarly regional hubs. The county is overwhelmingly rural, with very few urban centres: many residents live in small towns or on farms. Typical home-types: ranch or single story houses, barns/outbuildings, large lots, sometimes older farmhouse architecture; very few multi-unit developments. In summary: Aurora County offers quiet, agricultural-oriented living with land, moderate home prices (for the rural market) and large lot or acreage possibilities.
Aurora County Real Estate Listings
Aurora County lies in central South Dakota and is very rural in nature. It was created in 1879 and organized in 1881; it was named for the Roman goddess “Aurora”. The county seat and largest town is Plankinton, with another small settlement being White Lake and the town of Stickney (pop. ~321 in 2020) in the southwest. Historically the county’s land was used for agriculture (grain, cattle) and settled by prairie homesteaders; the terrain is low rolling hills, largely farmland with sparse population (population ~2,747 in 2020) and a density of around ~3.9 persons per square mile. Because of that farmland-character, many homes are single-family detached dwellings on large lots or small acreage; you’ll also find farm-houses, ranch-style homes, and some land parcels for building. Homes for sale in recent listings are often in the ~$290,000-$700,000 range for larger acreage listings. For example, recent listings show $294,500 for a 2-bed, 1-bath house, $349,900 for 4-bed, 2-bath, $440,000 for 4-bed on acreage, and a $700,000 listing for a 6-bed, 4-bath on 4,700 sq ft. Because of the rural setting, if you were to build a home on an acreage lot, you might expect land + build costs to place you in the $250K-$400K+ zone depending on size, utilities and outbuildings — and if larger acreage then $500K+. The nearest larger city is Mitchell, South Dakota (about ~35-40 miles to the east) or similarly regional hubs. The county is overwhelmingly rural, with very few urban centres: many residents live in small towns or on farms. Typical home-types: ranch or single story houses, barns/outbuildings, large lots, sometimes older farmhouse architecture; very few multi-unit developments. In summary: Aurora County offers quiet, agricultural-oriented living with land, moderate home prices (for the rural market) and large lot or acreage possibilities.