The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 57278 sells for about $220,400, or $115 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 120 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,040 a month.
ZIP 57278 — Willow Lake
The housing market in 57278 is stable and characterized by low inventory and moderate affordability. Prices have seen modest growth, driven by limited supply rather than high demand. The area remains a quiet, rural community with a consistent economic base.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, affordable rural lifestyle with a low cost of living and strong community ties.
Median prices moved up 2.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 120 days on market with 8.5 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.5% · poverty 6.7% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 2.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 57278, Clark County SD
The area maintains a safety score of 58, which is consistent with regional rural benchmarks in eastern South Dakota.
Local education is served by the Willow Lake School District, which provides standard public instruction for the community.
The region is subject to standard Midwestern weather risks, including severe thunderstorms and winter wind events; flood risk is generally low.
The local economy is primarily driven by agricultural production and small-scale local services, with limited large-scale industrial development.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (South Dakota) — Property Tax Assessment and Levy: Property is assessed at full and true market value, then equalized to 85% of that value to determine the taxable value. State (South Dakota) — Property Tax Discretionary Formula: Provides a tax break on the assessed value of new structures or additions for up to five or seven years, at the discretion of the county commissioners.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling to nearby regional hubs for employment via state highway corridors.
Local recreation centers on small community parks and access to regional outdoor activities, including fishing and hunting in the surrounding rural landscape.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and low turnover, with HUD-defined fair market rents for a two-bedroom unit at $1,040.
The economy is anchored by the agricultural sector, with local employment concentrated in farming, education, and essential retail services.
Transportation is entirely reliant on private vehicle use, with no public transit infrastructure available in this rural geography.
There are no major commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in the ZIP code.
Clark County assesses property values annually based on market sales data to determine the tax base for local taxing districts.
Parcels are subject to levies from the Willow Lake School District and Clark County general funds.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional weather patterns, with standard coverage available for wind and hail damage.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ACS 2024 tables DP02-DP05.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.
Local community green space for outdoor recreation.
Regional hub for community events and agricultural exhibitions.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.