countyscore
43
County Score
Health 75.6Soil Quality 64.4Income & Jobs 64

County Report Card

About Brown County, South Dakota

Below the National Median

Brown County has a composite score of 42.5, which is lower than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a mix of strong individual dimensions tempered by environmental and tax challenges.

Behind State Performance Levels

The county's score of 42.5 is significantly lower than the South Dakota average of 55.9. It faces stiffer competition within the state due to its specific risk and tax profiles.

Health and Higher Incomes

Residents enjoy a high health score of 75.6 and a robust income score of 67.2. With a median household income of $70,239, the county offers strong earning potential for the region.

Environmental and Tax Risks

The risk score of 26.5 indicates a high vulnerability to environmental hazards, while the tax score of 25.7 reflects a high effective tax rate of 1.199%. Water quality also lags with a score of 32.5.

A Hub for Healthy Earners

Brown County is best for well-compensated professionals who prioritize access to healthcare and higher wages. Prospective residents should be mindful of the environmental risks and the higher-than-average tax burden.

2040608010024.547.432.975.6366426.532.543.1Tax24.5Cost47.4Safety32.9Health75.6Schools36Income64Risk26.5Water32.5Weather43.143/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

Brown County DNA

Foverall

How Brown County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Brown County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (75.6/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (24.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
24.5-27.5
Cost
47.4
Safety
32.9-22.1
Health
75.6+25.599999999999994
Schools
36-18
Income
64+13
Risk
26.5-20.5
Water
32.5-25.5
Weather
43.1-12.899999999999999
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Brown County?

Many homeowners in Brown County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$221,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$777/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$221,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,080/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,898/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.6

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Dickey County
North Dakota
61.5
Marshall County
South Dakota
65.2
Edmunds County
South Dakota
63.1
McPherson County
South Dakota
60.1
Sargent County
North Dakota
61.3
Day County
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59.9
Spink County
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57.6
Faulk County
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69.5

Deep Dives

Brown County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Brown County

via TaxByCounty

Brown County taxes above U.S. median

Brown County's 1.199% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.13%, placing it in the upper third nationally. The median tax bill of $2,553 also tops the national median of $2,690—though just slightly—driven by a median home value of $212,900.

South Dakota's second-highest-tax county

Brown County ranks second among South Dakota's 66 counties with a 1.199% effective rate, exceeded only by Bon Homme (1.246%). The median tax of $2,553 is second-highest in the state, reflecting both elevated rates and substantial home values.

High tax burden for region

Brown County's 1.199% rate is notably higher than Aurora (1.080%), Beadle (1.053%), Bennett (1.027%), and Brookings (1.135%). Combined with higher property values, Brown homeowners face the region's second-steepest tax burden.

Median home: $212,900 = $2,553 tax

On a median home value of $212,900, Brown County's 1.199% rate yields an annual property tax of approximately $2,553. Homeowners with mortgages may see slightly higher bills at $2,663, while outright owners typically pay around $2,365.

Brown homeowners should challenge overassessments

As one of South Dakota's highest-tax counties, Brown homeowners should be especially proactive about assessment accuracy. If your property seems overvalued compared to recent comparable sales, filing an appeal could reduce your substantial tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Brown County

via IncomeByCounty

Brown earns 6% below US average

Brown County's median household income of $70,239 trails the national median of $74,755 by $4,516—only a 6% gap. This relatively close alignment reflects Brown's status as home to Aberdeen, a regional service and manufacturing center.

Strong performer in South Dakota

Brown's $70,239 exceeds South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by $3,313, ranking it among the state's stronger-earning counties. Per capita income of $39,599 also significantly outpaces the state average of $35,667, indicating substantial household wealth concentration.

Regional leader behind Aurora

Brown's $70,239 trails only Aurora ($74,130) and Brule ($74,043) among peer counties, comfortably exceeding Brookings ($67,341), Beadle ($63,082), and Bon Homme ($61,275). Brown's diversified economy and regional hub status support solid earning power.

Balanced housing and income

Brown's rent-to-income ratio of 13.6% indicates housing takes roughly one-seventh of median income—comfortable but moderate. The median home value of $212,900 represents 3 years of gross income, requiring substantial down payments but remaining achievable for dual-income households.

Time to accelerate wealth building

Brown County households earning $70,239 have real capacity to invest aggressively in retirement and college savings. Automating 15-20% of gross income into 401(k)s and 529 education plans can position families for long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Brown County

via CrimeByCounty

Brown County's National Safety Standing

Brown County reports a total crime rate of 1572.7 per 100K, which is safer than the U.S. average of 2,385.5. This results in a respectable safety score of 97.5.

Ranking Below the State Average

The county's safety score of 97.5 is lower than the South Dakota average of 98.8. Its total crime rate of 1572.7 is roughly double the state average of 788.1.

Safety Relative to Brookings County

Brown County's crime rate of 1572.7 is higher than Brookings County's 1158.0. As a regional center, Brown County experiences more frequent law enforcement activity than its smaller neighbors.

Property vs Violent Crime Rates

Property crime occurs at a rate of 1256.6 per 100K, while violent crime is reported at 316.1. Both figures stay below the national averages, though they are high for South Dakota.

Deterring Property Crime at Home

With property crime as the primary local concern, visible security measures like cameras can be very effective. Community vigilance is key to bringing these rates closer to the state average.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Brown County

via WeatherByCounty

Cold Northern Reach of the Plains

Brown County averages 43.5°F annually, placing it nearly 10 degrees below the national median of 53°F. It is a classic northern plains environment with 22.4 inches of annual precipitation.

Below the South Dakota Norm

The county stays 2.1 degrees cooler than the South Dakota average of 45.6°F. It is consistently among the coldest counties in the state, especially when Arctic air masses descend from the north.

Cold Air and Average Snowfall

Brown's 39.7 inches of annual snow is higher than Brookings County's 35.8 inches. Total precipitation is 22.4 inches, which is almost identical to the South Dakota state average.

Brutal Januarys and Mild Julys

Winter is the dominant season, with January temperatures averaging a frigid 11.9°F. Summer brings relief with a July average of 71.9°F and only 12 days exceeding 90°F.

A Focus on Winter Survival

Homeowners need top-tier insulation and reliable heating to survive the 11.9°F January average. Snow removal is a major part of life, as the county receives nearly 40 inches of snowfall annually.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Brown County

via SoilByCounty

Productive Entisol Loam Lands

Brown County features loamy soils belonging to the Entisols order with a pH of 7.12. This is slightly more alkaline than the state average of 7.05 and the national 6.5 median. With a soil score of 64.4, the county offers higher productivity than the typical South Dakota landscape.

The Ideal Loam Balance

The soil is a classic loam composed of 40.3% silt, 38.0% sand, and 21.7% clay. This mix is often called the 'gold standard' because it balances drainage, aeration, and nutrient retention perfectly. It is highly versatile for everything from row crops to delicate garden vegetables.

Superior Organic and Water Levels

The soil contains 4.06% organic matter, which exceeds the state average of 3.75%. The available water capacity is also high at 0.189 in/in, beating the state benchmark of 0.182. This combination ensures that your plants have constant access to both nutrients and moisture.

Well-Drained for Farm and Home

These soils are classified as well-drained and fall into hydrologic group C. This means they manage water effectively during normal rainfall but may have slower infiltration during extreme storms. This classification is generally favorable for home construction and septic systems.

Hardy Harvests in Zone 4a

Zone 4a has a shorter growing season, so choose fast-maturing varieties of corn and squash. The excellent loamy soil and 4.06% organic matter make it easy to grow prize-winning root vegetables like beets and carrots. Your soil is among the most workable and fertile in the northern plains.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Brown County

via LawnByCounty

Top-Tier Lawn Success in Brown

Brown County boasts a 58.3 lawn score, significantly outperforming the state average of 51.1. In Zone 4a, residents enjoy some of the most favorable conditions for low-maintenance turf in the entire region.

Low Heat and Steady Growth

With only 12 extreme heat days—half the state average—turf remains vibrant longer into the summer. The 22.4 inches of precipitation, combined with 2,502 growing degree days, creates a predictable and steady mowing rhythm.

Excellent Loamy Soil Foundation

Lawns here benefit from well-drained loam soil, which is often considered the gold standard for gardening. While the 7.12 pH is slightly alkaline, the 38.0% sand content ensures great aeration for root development.

Leading the State in Resilience

Brown County is currently free of any drought designations, having only faced 12 weeks of drought in the past year. This makes it an outlier in the state, allowing for lush growth without constant irrigation intervention.

Maximizing a Shorter Season

Because the first frost arrives early on September 29th, timing is critical for fall fertilization. Plant hardy, cold-tolerant grass species after the May 9th frost to ensure they establish during the peak growing months.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brown County's county score?
Brown County, South Dakota has a composite county score of 43 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Brown County rank among counties in South Dakota?
Brown County ranks #57 among all counties in South Dakota on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Brown County, South Dakota?
The median annual property tax in Brown County is $2,598, with an effective tax rate of 1.18%. This earns Brown County a tax score of 24.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Brown County?
The median household income in Brown County, South Dakota is $70,898 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Brown County earns an income score of 64/100 on CountyScore.
Is Brown County, South Dakota a good place to live?
Brown County scores 43/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #57 in South Dakota. The best way to evaluate Brown County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Brown County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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