Howes ZIP Codes — Meade County, SD

There is one unique ZIP code in Howes, South Dakota and it is 57748. Area code: 605.
1
ZIP codes
399.67
sq mi land
2.69
sq mi water
605
area code
Howes, SD ZIP code map

About Howes, SD

Howes is a small, unincorporated community located in South Dakota. Situated in Meade County, it offers a unique glimpse into rural life in the region. The area is characterized by its vast open landscapes and a close-knit community atmosphere.

Location & geography

Howes lies in the western part of South Dakota, approximately 40 miles northeast of Rapid City. Nearby cities include Sturgis, located about 30 miles to the southeast, and Belle Fourche, which is roughly 37 miles to the northwest. The community covers a total land area of 399.67 square miles, with a minimal water area of 2.69 square miles, emphasizing its predominantly dry terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Howes reflects a rural lifestyle centered around agriculture and local industry. Residents often engage in activities that support farming and ranching, contributing to the region's economy. Daily life in Howes is marked by a sense of community, where neighbors know each other and local events bring people together.

Transportation

Howes is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Highway 34, which connects the community to larger towns and cities. The nearest significant airport is the Rapid City Regional Airport, approximately 40 miles away, providing access to commercial flights. Public transit options are limited in this rural area, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation.

History

Howes was established as a part of the agricultural expansion in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. The area's key industries historically revolve around agriculture, which remains vital to the local economy. Notable events in the history of Howes include the development of local infrastructure that supports the farming community.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Howes is its vast land area, making it one of the larger unincorporated communities in the state. Despite its size, Howes maintains a very small population, emphasizing its rural charm and character.

ZIP codes for Howes, SD (1)
ZIP code City County Map
57748 Howes Meade View map

Demographics & statistics

295
Population
28.8
Median age
$48,250
Median household income
$26,966
Per capita income
$184,200
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
77.2%
Home ownership
35.3%
Poverty rate
12.6%
Unemployment
102
Housing units
21.2%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
28
Under 5
26
15
5–9
13
11
10–14
10
14
15–19
12
1
20–24
0
17
25–34
16
30
35–44
27
4
45–54
3
13
55–59
11
2
60–64
1
6
65–74
5
16
75–84
14
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1812040.7%
18 and over17559.3%
65 and over4113.9%
Median age28.8 years

Race & ethnicity

American Indian / Alaska Native 53.9%
White 46.1%
GroupCount%
American Indian / Alaska Native15953.9%
White13646.1%

Household income

Under $10k 20.3%
$10k–$15k 3.8%
$15k–$25k 10.1%
$25k–$35k 5.1%
$35k–$50k 24.1%
$50k–$75k 11.4%
$75k–$100k 3.8%
$150k–$200k 11.4%
$200k+ 10.1%
Range% of households
Under $10k20.3%
$10k–$15k3.8%
$15k–$25k10.1%
$25k–$35k5.1%
$35k–$50k24.1%
$50k–$75k11.4%
$75k–$100k3.8%
$150k–$200k11.4%
$200k+10.1%
Median income$48,250

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 29.5%
$50k–$100k 11.5%
$150k–$200k 24.6%
$200k–$300k 26.2%
$300k–$500k 4.9%
$500k–$1M 3.3%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$184,200
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied77.2%
Renter occupied22.8%
Vacant34.2%
Single-family detached80.8%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes19.2%
Median rooms5.2
Avg household size (owned)3.33

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.0%
2000–200915.0%
1990–199925.8%
1980–198913.3%
1970–197919.2%
1960–19696.7%
1950–19592.5%
1940–19490.0%
1939 or earlier17.5%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom2.5%
2 bedrooms21.7%
3 bedrooms60.0%
4 bedrooms15.8%
5+ bedrooms0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle15.2%
1 vehicle15.2%
2 vehicles30.4%
3 or more39.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Electricity7.6%
Propane / LP gas88.6%
Wood3.8%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family3949.4%
Cohabiting couple11.3%
Male householder, no spouse911.4%
Female householder, no spouse3038.0%
Households with children under 184759.5%
Households with seniors (65+)3240.5%
Average household size3.72

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married27.3%34.8%
Married72.7%38.3%
Separated0.0%8.7%
Widowed0.0%9.6%
Divorced0.0%8.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 11.5%
HS graduate 36.4%
Some college, no degree 3.0%
Associate's degree 27.9%
Bachelor's degree 13.3%
Graduate / professional 7.9%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher88.5%
Bachelor's or higher21.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool2224.7%
Kindergarten55.6%
Elementary school4247.2%
High school2022.5%
College / grad school00.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Retail trade 36.8%
Agriculture & mining 31.6%
Public administration 14.5%
Education & healthcare 10.5%
Transportation & utilities 6.6%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts51.3%
Service6.6%
Sales & office2.6%
Natural resources & construction39.5%
Production & transportation0.0%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector36.8%
Government31.6%
Self-employed31.6%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone32.9%
Carpool0.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk39.5%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)15.7

Poverty

All people 35.3%
Under 18 years 48.3%
18 and over 26.3%
Married-couple families 0.0%
Female-led households 90.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security31.6%
Retirement income16.5%
Supplemental Security11.4%
Cash public assistance22.8%
Food stamps / SNAP31.6%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure31.7%
High cholesterol28.1%
Heart disease7.8%
Stroke4.4%
Asthma11.8%
Arthritis23.6%
Kidney disease3.6%
Pulmonary disease8.3%
Cancer5.5%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking19.0%
No physical activity31.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep34.1%
Fair or poor health19.2%
Poor mental health15.2%
Poor physical health13.0%
No health insurance15.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)75.1%
Visited dentist53.2%
Cholesterol screening82.9%
Teeth loss21.0%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans148.0%
Disability%
Any disability13.6%
Under 182.5%
18–64 years22.4%
65 and over17.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance47.5%
Public insurance50.2%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only24181.7%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)295100.0%
Born in same state295100.0%
Born in different state27693.6%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian4113.9%
Polish206.8%
Dutch155.1%
AncestryCount%
French124.1%
Arab51.7%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access26.8%
Internet access75.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Howes, SD have?
Howes, SD has one ZIP code: 57748. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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