Hill City, South Dakota
The creative capital of the Black Hills. Population 1,000. Art galleries on Main Street, craft breweries, the 1880 Train, and 20 minutes from BHC headquarters. Zero state income tax — a $145K salary here stretches like $210K+ in Denver.
1,000
Population
$286K
Median Home
63-75
Y5 Relocations
4,979 ft
Elevation
The Opportunity
Why Hill City
A creative community with a built-in economy — art, tourism, craft brewing, and a satellite connection to the $52M BHC ecosystem 20 minutes away.
Art Gallery Capital of the Hills
Main Street is lined with galleries — Sandy Swallow, Jon Crane, Warrior's Work & Ben West Gallery. A thriving creative economy in a town of 1,000.
Craft Brewery Scene
Lost Cabin Beer Co and Cohort Craft Brewery anchor a growing food and drink scene that punches well above its weight class.
1880 Train
The Black Hills Central Railroad runs vintage steam trains between Hill City and Keystone — a year-round tourist draw and iconic Black Hills experience.
Outpost Media Satellite Studio
Professional content creation, podcast recording, and video production right in town. No need to drive to Rapid City for studio-quality work.
20 Minutes to BHC Campus
Custer HQ, Grow Campus co-working, Seed Academy classes, and all 11 BHC entities are a quick drive through the pines.
Gateway to Black Elk Peak
The highest point east of the Rockies (7,242 ft), Sylvan Lake, and the Needles are all within 10-15 minutes of town.
The Math
Your Dollar Goes Further
A $145K salary in Hill City is equivalent to $210K+ in Denver. Zero state income tax. No traffic. No $3,500 rent.
| Category | Hill City, SD | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | New York, NY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR Rent | $850 | $1,850 | $1,600 | $3,500 |
| Median Home | $286K | $590K | $475K | $750K+ |
| Groceries | 12% below avg | At average | 3% above | 30% above |
| Gas (gal) | $2.85 | $3.20 | $2.90 | $3.70 |
| State Income Tax | 0% | 4.4% | 0% | 10.9% |
Housing
Mountain Town, Valley Prices
Median home price around $286K — about half of Denver. Limited in-town stock drives opportunity for new construction, cabin renovations, and rural properties on acreage.
Housing Demand Projections
Based on relocator + BHC satellite employee growth
Education & Careers
Small School, Big Opportunity
Hill City School District 51-2, Seed Academy tech training 20 minutes away, and BHC satellite positions at $145K+ minimum.
Education
- Hill City School District 51-2 (K-12, ~200-250 enrollment)
- Seed Academy in Custer — AI, Vibe Coding, Remote Work training
- 25% tuition discount for relocator families
- Projected +19-28% enrollment increase by Y5 (47-56 students)
- SD school funding: $6,200/pupil = $291K-$347K new revenue Y5
BHC Presence in Hill City
3-5 satellite BHC jobs Y1, all positions $145K+ (equiv. $210K+ in Denver)
Lifestyle
Trail Town, USA
The Mickelson Trail runs right through the center of town. Sylvan Lake is 10 minutes away. Black Elk Peak — the highest point east of the Rockies — is a short drive up.
Mickelson Trail
109-mile rail trail, trailhead in town center
Black Elk Peak
Highest point east of the Rockies (7,242 ft)
Sylvan Lake
Swimming, kayaking, rock climbing — 10 min drive
Sunday Gulch Trail
Scramble through granite boulders and waterfalls
Needles Rock Climbing
World-class granite spires and technical routes
Spring Creek Fishing
Fly fishing, plus Sheridan Lake nearby
Mountain Biking
Single-track networks and Mickelson Trail
Cross-Country Skiing
Groomed trails through ponderosa pine forests
Snowmobiling
Miles of groomed trails through the Black Hills
Horseback Riding
Rafter J Bar Ranch and trail ride outfitters
Economic Impact
Transforming Hill City's Economy
Adding 63-75 relocators to a town of 1,000 is a 6-8% population increase in 5 years. For a creative community already punching above its weight, that is a catalyst.
| Year | New Relocations | Cumulative | Local Impact (1.6x) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y1 | 8-10 | 8-10 | $1.28M |
| Y2 | 10-12 | 18-22 | $2.56M |
| Y3 | 12-15 | 30-37 | $4.08M |
| Y5 | 18-20 | 63-75 | $8.69M |
| Y10 | 20-25 | 150-175 | $20.2M |
$5.43M
Combined Local Payroll (Y5)
Relocator + BHC satellite jobs
$93K/yr
New Tax Revenue (Y5)
Property + sales tax
$20.2M
10-Year Cumulative Impact
1.6x economic multiplier
Ready to Make the Move?
Apply today to relocate to Hill City. $10,000-$15,000 cash incentive, housing assistance, co-working access at Grow Campus (20 min away), and a creative community that wants you here. Site visit weekends available monthly.