CountyScore

Beadle County

South Dakota · SD

#52 in South Dakota
68.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Beadle County, South Dakota

Solid performer above national median

Beadle County's composite score of 68.1 ranks it in the 68th percentile nationally, well above the U.S. median of 50.0. It's a better-than-average place to live by objective livability measures.

Slightly below South Dakota average

Beadle's score of 68.1 falls modestly short of South Dakota's state average of 71.3, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 66 counties. It's a respectable choice but not among the state's top performers.

Low taxes and reasonable housing costs

Beadle's tax score of 72.6 and an effective rate of 1.053% are among the state's lightest, while its cost score of 79.5 reflects median homes at $178,400. These combine to ease the financial burden on households.

Income and economic volatility concerns

An income score of just 24.6 and median household income of $63,082 signal limited earning potential, while a risk score of only 52.9 suggests greater economic uncertainty than neighboring counties. These factors limit long-term wealth building.

Good for steady earners seeking stability

Beadle works best for families with stable, secure income from agriculture, small business, or established employers who value moderate costs and low taxes. It's a practical choice for those prioritizing community over career growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.6Cost79.5SafetyComing SoonHealth67.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.6Risk52.9WaterComing Soon
🏛72.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.9
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 Beadle County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $55,826
Dallas County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $36,810
Houston County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $57,531
Pope County
Arkansas
68.1
Median income: $54,606
Summit County
Colorado
68.1
Median income: $106,255

Deep Dives

Beadle County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Beadle County

via TaxByCounty

Beadle's rate well below U.S. median

Beadle County's effective tax rate of 1.053% ranks in the bottom quarter nationally, significantly lower than the 1.13% national median. At a median tax bill of $1,879, Beadle homeowners pay nearly $800 less per year than the national median of $2,690.

Among South Dakota's lowest-rate counties

Beadle County's 1.053% rate is the second-lowest in South Dakota, trailing only Buffalo County. Despite this favorable rate, the median tax of $1,879 runs slightly above the state average of $1,785, reflecting the county's higher median home value of $178,400.

Lowest rate in immediate region

Beadle County's 1.053% rate beats neighboring Aurora (1.080%), Bennett (1.027%), and Bon Homme (1.246%) counties by a comfortable margin. The county offers one of the most attractive property tax profiles in east-central South Dakota.

Median home: $178,400 = $1,879 tax

On a median home value of $178,400, Beadle County's 1.053% rate yields an annual property tax of approximately $1,879. Homeowners with mortgages may see slightly higher bills at $2,177, while those owning outright typically pay around $1,677.

Appeal overassessments in Beadle

Properties in Beadle County are reassessed periodically, and assessment errors do occur. If your home's assessed value seems high compared to recent sales of similar properties, filing an appeal with the county assessor can reduce your tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Beadle County

via CostByCounty

Beadle renters spend more than average

Beadle County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% exceeds both the national comfort zone (30%) and puts pressure on local households. At $834 monthly rent against a median income of $63,082—about $11,700 below the national average—Beadle residents stretch further for housing than most Americans.

Beadle ranks among less affordable counties

With a 15.9% rent-to-income ratio, Beadle County sits above South Dakota's 13.8% state average, reflecting tighter affordability for renters. The county's below-average household income ($63,082 vs. state peers) amplifies the strain.

Beadle's rents lead the region

At $834 monthly, Beadle commands the highest median rent among these eight counties—$95 above state average and substantially more than Aurora ($739) or Bennett ($616). This premium reflects Beadle's position as a regional economic hub, but it tests renters' budgets.

Housing eats into household budgets

Renters allocate $834 monthly (15.9% of income) while homeowners pay $917 for ownership costs against the $63,082 median income. Both housing modes consume a notably higher share of earnings than state averages, limiting discretionary spending.

Beadle works best for higher earners

If you're relocating to Beadle, consider how its above-average rents and below-average incomes align with your earning potential. The county offers urban amenities and services, but affordability pressures are real for families earning below regional medians.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Beadle County

via IncomeByCounty

Beadle earns 15% below US average

Beadle County's median household income of $63,082 trails the national median of $74,755 by $11,673, or roughly 15%. This gap reflects a common rural pattern: earnings here lag urban and suburban America despite lower overall cost structures.

Below-average income for South Dakota

Beadle's $63,082 falls about $3,844 short of the state median of $66,926, placing it in the lower half of South Dakota counties. Per capita income of $31,506 also underperforms the state average of $35,667 by nearly $4,200.

Outearned by Aurora and Brown

Beadle's $63,082 median trails nearby Aurora County by $11,048 and Brown County by $7,157, though it edges out Bennett and Buffalo counties. Among this regional group, Beadle occupies a modest middle position with fewer high-earning households than neighboring counties.

Rent burden rises for many

Beadle's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% means housing takes up roughly 16% of median income—higher than Aurora's 12%—yet still within the comfort zone. The median home value of $178,400, however, represents nearly 2.8 years of median household income, requiring significant savings for purchase.

Strategic savings can close the gap

Beadle households earning $63,082 should prioritize building a 6-month emergency fund before investing further. Even modest monthly contributions to a high-yield savings account or employer 401(k) can compound over time and reduce financial vulnerability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Beadle County

via HealthByCounty

Beadle outperforms national life expectancy

Beadle County's life expectancy of 78.4 years exceeds the U.S. average of 74.5 years by nearly 4 years. However, 18.9% of residents report poor or fair health, which is above the national average of 15%, indicating disparities in day-to-day wellness despite longer overall lifespans.

Top performer on South Dakota's health scale

At 78.4 years, Beadle County's life expectancy ranks among South Dakota's healthiest, beating the state average of 75.4 years by 3 years. The county's 18.9% poor/fair health rate is higher than some peers but reflects the county's larger population and more complete health reporting.

Beadle leads rural health outcomes regionally

Beadle's 78.4-year life expectancy matches Brookings County and exceeds most rural neighbors like Bennett (67.9 years) by 10 years. With 271 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Beadle ranks among the state's strongest on behavioral health access, supported by 47 primary care providers per 100K.

Higher uninsured rate signals access gaps

Beadle's 12.9% uninsured rate exceeds the state average by 1.8 percentage points, meaning roughly 1 in 8 residents lack coverage. The county offers solid primary care (47 per 100K) and strong mental health support (271 per 100K), yet insurance gaps still limit care-seeking for many.

Bridge Beadle's insurance gap affordably

Nearly 13% of Beadle County residents go uninsured—higher than the state average. Exploring South Dakota Medicaid or marketplace plans at healthcare.gov could provide the coverage protection your household needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Beadle County

via RiskByCounty

Beadle faces above-average disaster risk

Beadle County's composite risk score of 47.14 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but 76% higher than the national average. Your county confronts multiple significant hazards, particularly tornadoes and floods that demand serious preparedness attention.

Mid-range risk within South Dakota

Beadle County ranks in the upper-middle tier of South Dakota's 66 counties with a score of 47.14, notably above the state average of 26.84. This positions Beadle among South Dakota's more hazard-exposed communities.

Comparable risk to regional peers

Beadle's composite score of 47.14 mirrors the risk profile of nearby Brookings County (50.06), making both communities some of South Dakota's more hazard-prone areas. Both counties significantly exceed the state average and face similar tornado and flood threats.

Tornadoes and floods threaten Beadle

Tornado risk (64.63) and flood risk (45.61) represent Beadle County's dominant natural disasters, reflecting the county's position in Tornado Alley. Wildfire exposure (74.75) adds a third substantial hazard that residents cannot ignore.

Invest in comprehensive disaster coverage

Beadle County residents should secure homeowners insurance with explicit tornado and windstorm coverage, plus a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program. An interior safe room or storm shelter offers critical additional protection during severe weather events.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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