CountyScore

Bennett County

South Dakota · SD

#39 in South Dakota
70
County Score

County Report Card

About Bennett County, South Dakota

Bennett holds its own nationally

Bennett County's composite score of 70.0 places it in the 70th percentile nationally, well above the U.S. median of 50.0. It competes favorably with seven in ten American counties on livability.

Right at South Dakota's midline

Bennett's score of 70.0 sits just slightly below the state average of 71.3, making it an average performer among South Dakota's 66 counties. It's a solid, if unspectacular, choice within the state context.

Rock-bottom costs and risk resilience

Bennett's cost score of 88.0 is exceptional, with median rent at just $616/month and homes at $138,600—among the most affordable in the state. Its risk score of 94.1 signals strong economic resilience and stability.

Low incomes and health concerns

Bennett's income score of 12.5 and median household income of $44,569 are among South Dakota's lowest, alongside a health score of only 53.9. These suggest limited economic opportunity and potential healthcare access challenges.

For those who value living affordably

Bennett is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, or those who've paid off debts and can live on modest earnings. It's the state's most affordable option, but income and health metrics warrant careful consideration.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.4Cost88SafetyComing SoonHealth53.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.5Risk94.1WaterComing Soon
🏛73.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡94.1
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 Bennett County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Clair County
Alabama
70
Median income: $78,993
Sumter County
Alabama
70
Median income: $37,981
Sitka City and Borough
Alaska
70
Median income: $101,207
Lee County
Arkansas
70
Median income: $36,860
Pike County
Georgia
70
Median income: $84,184

Deep Dives

Bennett County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bennett County

via TaxByCounty

Bennett ranks among nation's lowest-tax counties

Bennett County's 1.027% effective tax rate places it in the lowest 10% nationally, well below the 1.13% national median. The median tax bill of $1,424 is less than half the national median of $2,690, saving homeowners over $1,200 annually.

South Dakota's second-most-affordable county

Bennett County ranks third-lowest among South Dakota's 66 counties, with an effective rate of 1.027% compared to the state average of 1.094%. The median tax of $1,424 is the lowest in the state, reflecting both low rates and lower property values in this rural county.

Unbeatable tax rate in region

Bennett County's 1.027% rate is the lowest among its regional peers, beating Aurora (1.080%), Beadle (1.053%), and Bon Homme (1.246%). No nearby county offers a more favorable tax climate.

Median home: $138,600 = $1,424 tax

Bennett County homeowners pay just $1,424 annually on the median property value of $138,600 at a 1.027% effective rate. This works out to roughly $119 per month—among the lowest in the nation.

Bennett homeowners should verify assessments

Even though Bennett County has competitive rates, individual properties can still be overassessed. If you believe your home's assessed value is inflated, request a reassessment or file an appeal with the county—it could lower your already low tax bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bennett County

via CostByCounty

Bennett faces severe affordability stress

Bennett County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio masks a deeper crisis: the median household income of just $44,569 trails the national average by $30,186. Renters paying $616 monthly—while seemingly low—consume a devastating share of earnings, reflecting structural economic challenges.

Bennett is South Dakota's affordability outlier

Bennett County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio and $44,569 median income represent the most stressed household finances among South Dakota's counties examined here. The combination signals persistent economic headwinds despite modest rents.

Bennett rents are lowest, incomes lower still

While Bennett's $616 median rent ranks lowest across these eight counties, the median household income of $44,569 is devastatingly low—nearly $30,000 below Aurora or Brookings. This income disadvantage, not low rents, drives Bennett's affordability crisis.

Income shortfall, not rent, is the problem

Bennett renters pay $616 monthly (16.6% of income) and homeowners $628, seemingly affordable numbers until set against the $44,569 median household income. The real issue is insufficient earnings relative to basic living costs and regional standards.

Bennett requires strong income planning

Consider relocating to Bennett only if you bring above-median earning potential or have stable remote income, as local wages lag significantly. The county's low housing costs offer little relief if your household income matches the regional median.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bennett County

via IncomeByCounty

Bennett faces significant income gap

Bennett County's median household income of $44,569 falls $30,186 short of the national median of $74,755—a 40% deficit. This substantial gap highlights the economic challenges rural reservation communities across America face relative to national averages.

Lowest earnings in South Dakota

Bennett ranks among the lowest-earning counties in South Dakota, with a median household income that lags the state average of $66,926 by $22,357. Per capita income of $21,005 trails the state's $35,667 by $14,662, indicating income concentration in fewer households.

Bennett struggles compared to peers

Bennett's $44,569 median ranks well below Buffalo County ($47,000) and far below Aurora ($74,130), Brule ($74,043), and Brown ($70,239). The county faces acute economic headwinds relative to its surrounding communities across South Dakota.

Housing costs strain tight budgets

Bennett's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% means housing claims nearly one-sixth of median income, among the highest rates in this group. A median home value of $138,600 represents over 3 years of gross household income—an exceptional burden for Bennett families.

Strength through community and planning

Bennett households should focus first on income stabilization and employer benefits rather than aggressive investing. Consider partnering with community development organizations and tribal resources that may offer matched savings programs or financial counseling tailored to local conditions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bennett County

via HealthByCounty

Bennett faces severe health challenges

Bennett County's 67.9-year life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 74.5 years by 6.6 years—among the lowest in the nation. Nearly a quarter (23.4%) of residents report poor or fair health, well above the 15% national average, signaling a county in health crisis.

South Dakota's most challenged county

Bennett's 67.9-year life expectancy ranks as South Dakota's lowest, falling 7.5 years below the state average of 75.4 years. With 23.4% of residents in poor or fair health—the highest in the state—Bennett faces urgent disparities that demand targeted intervention.

Severe gap compared to surrounding counties

Bennett's 67.9-year life expectancy lags Beadle County (78.4 years) by 10 years and Bon Homme (76.6 years) by 8.6 years. Limited data on primary care and mental health providers further isolates Bennett from regional health infrastructure, compounding its health disadvantage.

Highest uninsured rate statewide

Bennett County's 14.2% uninsured rate is the highest in South Dakota, 3.1 percentage points above the state average. Provider data is sparse, making healthcare access even more difficult for the county's vulnerable population without health coverage.

Bennett needs urgent insurance enrollment

With 14.2% of residents uninsured—the state's highest rate—Bennett County families face severe financial risk from medical emergencies. Call 211 or visit healthcare.gov today to enroll in Medicaid or a marketplace plan that could literally save lives in your community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bennett County

via RiskByCounty

Bennett enjoys exceptional disaster safety

Bennett County's composite risk score of 5.92 ranks in the "Very Low" category and represents one of the nation's safest regions for natural disasters. Your county's risk profile is just 20% of the national average, making it exceptionally insulated from most hazards.

South Dakota's lowest-risk county

Bennett County boasts South Dakota's lowest composite risk score at 5.92, dramatically undershooting the state average of 26.84. No other South Dakota county comes close to Bennett's exceptional natural disaster safety.

Vastly safer than surrounding counties

Bennett's score of 5.92 stands far below neighboring Aurora County (19.59) and Buffalo County (13.74), establishing it as a uniquely low-risk pocket in western South Dakota. This exceptional safety extends across all hazard categories except wildfire.

Wildfire is Bennett's sole concern

Wildfire risk (87.12) stands remarkably high in Bennett County despite the county's overall very low composite score. All other hazards—flood (4.29), tornado (18.51), and earthquake (17.62)—remain minimal, making wildfire Bennett's primary natural disaster threat.

Focus wildfire protection efforts

Bennett County residents should prioritize wildfire insurance coverage and maintain defensible space around homes with vegetation management. Standard homeowners insurance with fire protection provides adequate coverage for the county's exceptionally low tornado, flood, and earthquake exposures.

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.