St. John's Episcopal Mission, Chapel & Rectory, Fort Bennett Vicinity
Green Grass’s story
Green Grass in pictures
The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2004.
Explore the history →Green GrassSD
The town has 78 residents and lies in South Dakota.
Is Green Grass a good place to live?
100% of residents live below the poverty line in Green Grass, above both South Dakota’s towns (9.5%) and U.S. towns (9.6%). Of the 36 South Dakota towns we compare, none has a lower median age than Green Grass. Green Grass has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Small town
78 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Getting set up
Moving to Green Grass: who provides what
Green Grass is unincorporated, so Dewey County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerMoreau-Grand Electric CoopEIAHIFLD · EIA
WaterTri-County Rural Water SystemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet1 providers86% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesDewey CountyDewey County provides services here
Register to voteIn personSouth Dakota has no online registration; you can register in person until 15 days before Election Day or by mail (received 15 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereDewey County AuditorDewey County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2023
ZIP code5762557625 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Aug 3, 2026.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Green Grass.
37″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter9–30°
Spring32–57°
Summer56–84°
Fall34–59°
Sep 30
typical first frost
May 10
typical last frost
+1.1°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Health
A larger share of adults report frequent mental distress in Green Grass than in most of South Dakota or the rest of the country
No town among the 36 in South Dakota we compare has a higher share of adults who say their health is fair or poor than Green Grass. For adults here, the share who have diabetes is 20%. In addition, only 2 of the 36 South Dakota towns we compare have a higher share of adults who have high blood pressure than Green Grass. This South Dakota town beats the South Dakota average on 1 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 21.
| Green Grass | South Dakota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES) | 33% | 16% | 19% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 33% | 14% | 14% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 10% | 12% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 22% | 15% | 17% |
26 measures vs. South Dakota
1 better4 too close to call21 worse
| What stands out | Green Grass | SD |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults who have had cancer | 5.9% | 9.2% |
| More smokers | 32.9% | 15.2% |
Eagle Butte Indian Health Service Hospital
17.7 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Natural hazards
Moderate risk in Green Grass, with cold waves at the top
Expected damage from storms and floods is higher here than in 55% of U.S. communities.
55risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Cold wavesInland flooding
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Green Grass
11pages on Green Grass
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Green Grass; the nearest are
Sitting Bull CollegeUniversity or college · Public · Fort Yates, ND70.7 mi$4,010 in-state tuitionWestern Dakota Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · Rapid City119.3 mi$8,294 in-state tuition
About 0 of every 100 Green Grass residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across South Dakota.
About Green Grass
CDP in South Dakota, United States
Green Grass (Lakota: wakpála phežŋ; "creek [of the] grass") is a census-designated place (CDP) in Dewey County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 21 at the 2020 census. The community takes its name from nearby Green Grass Creek.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 8.1 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,860 ft
- Area code
- 605
Questions about Green Grass
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Green Grass, SD a good place to live?
Green Grass has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.