South Dakota homes are mostly wood-frame, with a median build year of 1984 and about a quarter of units built before 1960. Basements are common in this cold climate, and the roughly 40-inch frost depth shapes foundation construction.

median year homes were built: 1984; median year homes were built
built in 2000 or later: 33.1%; built in 2000 or later
built before 1960: 24.8%; built before 1960
single-family homes: 70.5%; single-family homes
in buildings with 5+ units: 17.5%; in buildings with 5+ units
mobile homes: 7.2%; mobile homes

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (tables B25035, B25034, B25024)

Common wall types

Wood-frame drywall walls

Where: Most houses in Sioux Falls, Rapid City and small towns.

Mounting: Studs are typically 16 inches on center; lag into at least two studs.

Plaster in older homes

Where: Pre-1960 homes in older neighborhoods of Sioux Falls, Yankton and Deadwood.

Mounting: Locate studs and pre-drill slowly; use toggles for light loads.

Poured concrete or block basement walls

Where: Basement rec rooms and theaters; deep frost depth makes full basements common.

Mounting: Use masonry anchors; furred walls need anchors into the concrete, and moisture control comes first.

Manufactured homes

Where: About 7 percent of units, in towns and rural areas.

Mounting: Thin wall panels; mounts must reach framing.

Apartment walls

Where: Sioux Falls and Rapid City complexes.

Mounting: Wood or metal studs; follow lease rules and use toggles for metal studs.

Tips before you mount

Stud walls: studs are usually 16" on center. Lag the mount into at least two studs with 5/16" lag bolts, typically about 2.5" to 3" long; a full-motion arm puts far more leverage on the wall than a flat mount, so it should never hang on drywall anchors alone.
Brick, block or concrete: use 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve or wedge anchors with a hammer drill and masonry bit, drilling into solid brick or block face shells rather than mortar joints where possible.
Basement theaters: foundation walls can be cold and damp. Use corrosion-resistant fasteners, keep wood off bare concrete and mount on furring or blocking rather than directly against cold concrete where possible.
Metal studs (common in apartments and condos): use toggle-style anchors such as snap toggles rated for the TV and mount weight, or have the installer add wood blocking behind the drywall.
Hiding wires: the National Electrical Code (NEC 400.12) does not allow a regular TV power cord to run inside the wall. Use an in-wall rated recessed power kit, and choose low-voltage cables rated CL2 or CL3 for in-wall HDMI and speaker runs.
Cold-climate outdoor spaces: use an outdoor-rated TV rated for the local temperature range and stainless-steel hardware, since freeze-thaw cycles stress fasteners and enclosures.
Over a fireplace: check the TV maker's heat limits, since heat rising from a firebox can exceed what electronics tolerate; anchor into solid masonry or framing rather than the surface finish.
Before work starts, tell the installer the wall type (studs, plaster, masonry or concrete), the TV size and weight and the mount type. These change the anchors, labor time and price.

Sources: Census Reporter, ACS 2024 1-year: South Dakota (B25035, B25034, B25024) · Green Building Advisor: cold climate basement strategy. General guidance only — your installer will confirm the right method for your wall.