Bon Homme County

South Dakota · SD

#24 in South Dakota
73.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Bon Homme County, South Dakota

Bon Homme ranks in the top third

With a composite score of 73.2, Bon Homme ranks in the 73rd percentile nationally, significantly above the U.S. median of 50.0. It's a livable choice that outperforms most American counties.

Just above the state average

Bon Homme's score of 73.2 edges past South Dakota's average of 71.3, placing it in the upper portion of the state's 66 counties. It's a better-than-typical South Dakota choice for livability.

Excellent affordability and health outcomes

Bon Homme's cost score of 86.1 brings median homes at $120,300 and rent at $620/month—truly accessible housing. Its health score of 73.3 and risk score of 89.2 reflect strong community wellness and economic stability.

Higher taxes and limited income growth

Bon Homme's tax score of 67.2 reflects an effective rate of 1.246%, the highest among these eight counties, and its income score of 23.4 (median $61,275) signals limited earnings potential. These factors offset its affordability gains.

Right for health-conscious families

Bon Homme suits families prioritizing community health, affordability, and economic stability over career advancement or tax optimization. It's a welcoming rural option for those seeking a slower pace and tight-knit community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.2Cost86.1SafetyComing SoonHealth73.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.4Risk89.2WaterComing Soon
🏛67.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
73.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
89.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Bon Homme County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bon Homme County

via TaxByCounty

Bon Homme's rate exceeds national norm

At 1.246%, Bon Homme County's effective tax rate runs above the national median of 1.13%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. The median tax bill of $1,499 remains about $1,200 below the national median, thanks to lower home values in the county.

Highest rate among rural South Dakota counties

Bon Homme County ranks in the upper quarter of South Dakota's 66 counties with a 1.246% effective rate—significantly above the state average of 1.094%. The median tax of $1,499 is still below the state average of $1,785, reflecting smaller home values offsetting the higher rate.

Region's steepest tax burden

Bon Homme County's 1.246% rate is notably higher than Aurora (1.080%), Beadle (1.053%), and Bennett (1.027%) counties. However, lower property values keep actual tax bills competitive with regional neighbors.

Median home: $120,300 = $1,499 tax

On a median home value of $120,300, Bon Homme County's 1.246% rate produces an annual property tax of approximately $1,499. With a mortgage, the bill rises to about $1,579, while owners without mortgages typically pay around $1,454.

Appeal assessments to lower Bon Homme taxes

Bon Homme homeowners with the highest rate in the region should be especially vigilant about assessment accuracy. If your property was recently reassessed and you believe the value is inflated, an appeal to the county assessor could meaningfully reduce your tax burden.

Cost of Living in Bon Homme County

via CostByCounty

Bon Homme delivers strong rental value

Bon Homme County's 12.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most affordable, with modest rents of $620 paired against a median household income of $61,275. Renters here enjoy genuine affordability that outperforms national norms by a wide margin.

Bon Homme beats South Dakota average

At 12.1% rent-to-income, Bon Homme County outperforms the South Dakota average of 13.8%, making it one of the state's more renter-friendly counties. The combination of low rents and modest but stable incomes creates sustainable housing economics.

Bon Homme undercuts most regional competitors

Bon Homme's $620 median rent ranks second-lowest in this region, trailing only Bennett County ($616), while household income ($61,275) exceeds Bennett's significantly. This balance positions Bon Homme as a genuine affordability leader.

Housing costs remain well-managed

Renters spend $620 monthly (12.1% of income) while homeowners pay $747, both figures well below concerning thresholds against the $61,275 median household income. Housing remains accessible without sacrificing financial stability.

Bon Homme suits budget-conscious movers

If affordability and financial breathing room matter most, Bon Homme County delivers reliable housing costs and reasonable wages. Consider it seriously for relocation—the numbers support long-term financial health.

Income & Jobs in Bon Homme County

via IncomeByCounty

Bon Homme earns 18% below nation

Bon Homme County's median household income of $61,275 trails the national median of $74,755 by $13,480, or about 18%. Like much of rural America, Bon Homme residents earn noticeably less than their national counterparts.

Lower-middle tier in South Dakota

Bon Homme's $61,275 falls $5,651 below South Dakota's state average of $66,926, placing it in the lower-middle range of county earnings. Per capita income of $28,003 also trails the state's $35,667, suggesting less income diversity across households.

Outpaced by Aurora and Brule

Bon Homme's $61,275 lags Aurora by $12,855 and Brule by $12,768, though it surpasses Bennett ($44,569) and Buffalo ($47,000) by comfortable margins. In its regional context, Bon Homme occupies the middle ground.

Housing remains very affordable

Bon Homme's rent-to-income ratio of 12.1% ranks among the lowest in this survey, with housing consuming just over one-eighth of median income. The median home value of $120,300 represents roughly 2 years of household income—well within reach for most families.

Leverage low housing costs for savings

With housing costs well-controlled, Bon Homme households earning $61,275 can allocate 15-20% to retirement and education savings. The combination of modest income and low-cost housing creates a window to build long-term wealth through consistent investing.

Health in Bon Homme County

via HealthByCounty

Bon Homme edges above national averages

Bon Homme County's 76.6-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 74.5 years by more than 2 years. At 15.1% poor/fair health, the county matches the national average, indicating relatively balanced health outcomes for its rural population.

Above-average performer in South Dakota

Bon Homme's 76.6-year life expectancy beats South Dakota's 75.4-year average by 1.2 years, positioning it in the upper tier of state counties. The county's 15.1% poor/fair health rate sits near the state median, suggesting stable health status across most residents.

Solid health outcomes among peers

Bon Homme's 76.6-year life expectancy trails Beadle (78.4 years) and Brookings (79.9 years) but surpasses Bennett County (67.9 years) by 8.7 years. With 57 primary care providers per 100K residents, the county supports adequate basic healthcare access for its rural population.

Lowest uninsured rate in this group

Bon Homme's 9.1% uninsured rate is the lowest among these South Dakota counties and 2 percentage points below the state average of 11.1%. The county's 57 primary care providers per 100K support good access to preventive care, though mental health provider data is not available.

Keep Bon Homme insured and healthy

With Bon Homme's strong insurance coverage (9.1% uninsured), most residents have healthcare access—but 1 in 11 still lack protection. Visit healthcare.gov to ensure your family maintains continuous coverage and stays protected from medical costs.

Disaster Risk in Bon Homme County

via RiskByCounty

Bon Homme ranks among safest nationally

With a composite risk score of 10.85, Bon Homme County sits comfortably in the "Very Low" risk category and just 37% of the national average. Your county experiences significantly lower natural disaster exposure than typical American communities.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

Bon Homme County ranks in the very low-risk tier with a score of 10.85, well below South Dakota's average of 26.84. The county's disaster resilience exceeds roughly 90% of South Dakota's other counties.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Bon Homme's composite risk of 10.85 ranks below neighboring Beadle County (47.14) and Aurora County (19.59). Your county's exceptionally low risk profile makes it one of eastern South Dakota's most naturally secure regions.

Wildfire and tornado pose modest threats

Wildfire risk (53.50) represents Bon Homme's leading natural hazard, followed by tornado risk (33.17) that reflects typical Great Plains exposure. Flood and earthquake risks remain minimal at 8.87 and 13.64 respectively.

Standard coverage suffices for Bon Homme

Comprehensive homeowners insurance with standard fire and windstorm coverage provides adequate protection for Bon Homme County's low-risk environment. Consider a basic umbrella policy for additional peace of mind given the modest wildfire and tornado exposures.

ByCounty Network

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