CountyScore

Aurora County

South Dakota · SD

#25 in South Dakota
73.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Aurora County, South Dakota

Aurora leads the nation

With a composite score of 73.1, Aurora County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 73rd percentile nationally. This rural South Dakota county outperforms seven in ten American counties on overall livability metrics.

Above-average across South Dakota

Aurora's score of 73.1 exceeds the state average of 71.3, ranking it in the upper tier of South Dakota's 66 counties. This positions it as a more livable option than most of its Dakotan neighbors.

Affordability and low financial risk

Aurora's cost score of 83.0 reflects genuinely affordable housing, with a median home value of just $129,000 and median rent at $739/month. Its risk score of 80.4 and tax rate of 1.08% demonstrate strong economic stability and a light tax burden.

Significant income gap holds back growth

Aurora's income score of just 31.8 is its main weakness, with a median household income of $74,130 lagging well behind what stronger-scoring counties achieve. This income-affordability gap suggests limited career opportunity or wage growth for residents.

Best for retirees and budget seekers

Aurora suits early retirees and cost-conscious families who prioritize low taxes, affordable housing, and stable living over high wages. It's a peaceful, economically solid choice for those whose income is secure from outside sources.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax71.9Cost83SafetyComing SoonHealth72.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.8Risk80.4WaterComing Soon
🏛71.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Aurora County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Moffat County
Colorado
73.1
Median income: $70,975
Twiggs County
Georgia
73.1
Median income: $55,439
Benton County
Indiana
73.1
Median income: $61,811
Kiowa County
Kansas
73.1
Median income: $73,214
Owen County
Kentucky
73.1
Median income: $59,706

Deep Dives

Aurora County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Aurora County

via TaxByCounty

Aurora's tax rate beats national average

At 1.080%, Aurora County's effective property tax rate is well below the national median of 1.13%, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay just $1,393 annually on the median home value, compared to a national median of $2,690, saving nearly $1,300 per year.

Slightly below South Dakota average

Aurora County ranks near the middle of South Dakota's 66 counties with a 1.080% effective rate, compared to the state average of 1.094%. The median tax bill of $1,393 also runs below South Dakota's median of $1,785, reflecting both lower rates and lower property values in the county.

Most competitive rate in region

Aurora County's 1.080% rate is the lowest among its neighbors, undercutting Beadle County (1.053% but on higher values) and Bon Homme County (1.246%). The county offers tax-conscious homeowners an advantage in rural South Dakota.

Median home: $129,000 = $1,393 tax

With a median home value of $129,000 and a 1.080% effective rate, Aurora County homeowners pay approximately $1,393 in annual property taxes. This translates to about $116 per month—one of the lowest in the state.

Many Aurora homeowners overassessed

Even in low-tax Aurora County, assessment errors happen. If your property is reassessed higher than comparable homes nearby, you have the right to appeal your county assessor's valuation and potentially lower your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Aurora County

via CostByCounty

Aurora rents are remarkably affordable

Aurora County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.0% sits well below the national sweet spot of 30%, meaning renters here spend far less of their paycheck on housing than typical Americans. With a median rent of $739 monthly against a median household income of $74,130, Aurora offers genuine affordability that most U.S. counties can't match.

Best rental affordability in South Dakota

Aurora County ranks among South Dakota's most affordable counties for renters, with a 12.0% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average of 13.8%. This advantage stems from modest rents ($739/month) paired with solid household incomes ($74,130)—a rare balance in rural America.

Aurora undercuts neighboring counties

Aurora's $739 median rent runs $17 below the state average and significantly cheaper than Beadle County ($834) or Brown County ($794). For renters prioritizing affordability, Aurora delivers some of the best value in the region.

Housing costs stay manageable here

Renters spend $739 monthly while homeowners pay $804, both reasonable figures against the $74,130 median household income. Whether renting or buying, Aurora residents keep housing costs below 11% of income—a financially healthy benchmark.

Consider Aurora for sustainable living

If you're relocating to balance affordability with stable income, Aurora County warrants serious consideration. The combination of low housing costs and comparable household earnings makes it one of South Dakota's more livable counties for budget-conscious families.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Aurora County

via IncomeByCounty

Aurora's income nearly matches nation

Aurora County's median household income of $74,130 sits just $625 below the national median of $74,755, placing it right at the heart of American earning power. This alignment suggests Aurora residents earn roughly what their counterparts across the country do, a rare achievement for a rural South Dakota county.

Top earners in South Dakota

Aurora ranks among the highest-earning counties in South Dakota, with a median household income that exceeds the state average of $66,926 by $7,204. This $7,200+ advantage reflects Aurora's stronger-than-typical economic foundation for the state.

Aurora outpaces regional peers

Aurora's $74,130 income beats neighboring Bon Homme County ($61,275) by $12,855 and leads Brule County ($74,043) by $87. The county's per capita income of $43,275 also surpasses the state average of $35,667, signaling more evenly distributed wealth.

Housing costs fit comfortably here

Aurora's rent-to-income ratio of 12.0% indicates housing absorbs just over one-eighth of median income—well below the 30% affordability threshold—while a median home value of $129,000 remains accessible. Residents enjoy genuine housing affordability despite national-level earning power.

Build on Aurora's solid foundation

With income aligned to national standards and housing costs low, Aurora households have real opportunity to invest beyond shelter. Consider automating 10-15% of that $74,130 into retirement or education savings to compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Aurora County

via HealthByCounty

Aurora's life expectancy edges above nation

At 75.9 years, Aurora County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. The county's 13.4% poor/fair health rate sits below the national average of 15%, suggesting generally stable health outcomes for its population.

Slightly above average for South Dakota

Aurora's 75.9-year life expectancy outpaces South Dakota's state average of 75.4 years by half a year. With 13.4% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county ranks in the middle of the state's health outcomes.

Rural county holds its ground regionally

Aurora's 75.9-year life expectancy trails nearby Brookings County (79.9 years) but exceeds Bennett County (67.9 years) by 8 years. The county's mental health provider density of 72 per 100,000 is lower than state leaders like Brown County (456 per 100K), reflecting rural access constraints.

Uninsured rate slightly below state average

Aurora's 11.0% uninsured rate matches the state average of 11.1%, meaning about 1 in 9 residents lack health coverage. Data on primary care providers is limited, but the county's 72 mental health providers per 100,000 residents suggests focused behavioral health infrastructure.

Find affordable health coverage in Aurora

With 11% of Aurora County uninsured, checking your options through the South Dakota health insurance marketplace or Medicaid could protect you from unexpected costs. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your county health office to explore plans that fit your family's budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Aurora County

via RiskByCounty

Aurora ranks well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 19.59, Aurora County sits in the "Very Low" category and well below the national average. Your county faces significantly lower natural disaster exposure than most American communities, though wildfire risk registers at a moderate 65.39.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

Aurora County ranks near the bottom of South Dakota's disaster risk ladder with a score of 19.59, compared to the state average of 26.84. Only a handful of South Dakota counties present lower overall natural hazard exposure than Aurora.

Safer than surrounding areas

Aurora's composite risk of 19.59 places it well below neighboring Beadle County (47.14) and Brule County (58.72). Your county enjoys one of the lower risk profiles in eastern South Dakota's agricultural region.

Wildfire dominates Aurora's hazard profile

Wildfire risk (65.39) towers over other threats in Aurora County, making it your primary natural disaster concern. Tornado risk (32.35) presents a secondary hazard typical of the Great Plains, while flood and earthquake risks remain minimal.

Prepare for wildfire and severe weather

Although Aurora County's overall risk is very low, wildfire-prone areas should carry adequate homeowners or renters insurance that covers fire damage. Consider a separate umbrella policy to protect against tornado-related losses in this naturally resilient region.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.