Hot Springs
Population ~3,600 · Fall River County
Historic sandstone architecture, natural warm springs, VA Medical Center, and Wind Cave National Park nearby. Once a destination spa town that retains its therapeutic identity.
~3,600
Population
$33,000-$37,000
Median Income
$175,000-$225,000
Median Home Price
VA Medical Center
Key Industry
The Challenge
Hot Springs is aging out. The town's median age is significantly higher than the state average. Young people leave for Rapid City or beyond because there are no professional careers. The VA campus is the single largest employer preventing complete economic collapse.
~3,600
Population
$33,000-$37,000
Median Income
~15-18%
Poverty Rate
BHC's Role in Hot Springs
How Seed Foundation and the Black Hills Consortium are investing in Hot Springs's future.
Seed Academy flagship campus — full education and workforce training facility
Seed Foundation programs — after-school, summer camps, scholarship pipeline
Primary Settle the West target — most available housing, lowest prices
BHC satellite office — 5-8 direct jobs (education staff, coordinators)
Starlink/fiber partnership — Seed Foundation funds broadband improvements
Wellness/tech hybrid positioning for remote worker marketing
Projected Impact by Year 5
Conservative projections based on the Tulsa Remote model and BHC's base case financials.
15-22
BHC Jobs
250-300
Relocations
$9.8M
Economic Impact (5yr)
81-97
New Students
What makes Hot Springs unique
Wellness and education hub. Most affordable housing in the Black Hills proper, VA healthcare proximity, and natural hot springs create a unique lifestyle proposition.
School District
Hot Springs School District 23-2
Current enrollment: ~550-650 students
Projected new students by Year 5: 81-97
South Dakota funds ~$6,200 per student.
Housing
Median home price: $175,000-$225,000
South Dakota has 0% state income tax. Combined with affordable housing, relocators build wealth dramatically faster than in coastal cities.
“Hot Springs has the most beautiful historic downtown in the Black Hills and the most affordable housing. BHC brings 250-300 new residents by Year 5 and a Seed Academy campus that serves your students.”
— The pitch to Hot Springs
Move to Hot Springs
Apply to Settle the West and start your new life in the Black Hills.