Hill City
Population ~1,000 · Pennington County
The 'Heart of the Hills.' Tiny downtown packed with art galleries, bronze foundries, craft shops, and the 1880 Train. Population triples in summer with tourists.
~1,000
Population
$35,000-$40,000
Median Income
$225,000-$275,000
Median Home Price
Art galleries
Key Industry
The Challenge
Hill City is an artist town where artists can barely afford to live. Gallery owners make their year's income in 90 summer days and survive on savings the other 275. The town's identity depends on creative people, but its economy is pushing them out.
~1,000
Population
$35,000-$40,000
Median Income
~12-15%
Poverty Rate
BHC's Role in Hill City
How Seed Foundation and the Black Hills Consortium are investing in Hill City's future.
Outpost Media satellite studio — video/audio production facility
Artist-in-residence partnership — Seed Foundation stipends for teaching artists
Year-round coworking — shared workspace for remote workers and local artists
Settle the West — targeting creative professionals, designers, writers
Community events — winter art walks, maker markets, off-season programming
Projected Impact by Year 5
Conservative projections based on the Tulsa Remote model and BHC's base case financials.
8-12
BHC Jobs
120-150
Relocations
$5.2M
Economic Impact (5yr)
47-56
New Students
What makes Hill City unique
Creative satellite hub. BHC brings year-round creative professionals and a media production studio that turns a 90-day economy into a 365-day community.
School District
Hill City School District 51-2
Current enrollment: ~200-250 students
Projected new students by Year 5: 47-56
South Dakota funds ~$6,200 per student.
Housing
Median home price: $225,000-$275,000
South Dakota has 0% state income tax. Combined with affordable housing, relocators build wealth dramatically faster than in coastal cities.
“BHC brings year-round creative professionals, a media production studio, and coworking space that turns your 90-day economy into a 365-day community.”
— The pitch to Hill City
Move to Hill City
Apply to Settle the West and start your new life in the Black Hills.