CountyScore

Brule County

South Dakota · SD

#36 in South Dakota
71.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Brule County, South Dakota

Brule ranks solidly above national median

Brule County's composite score of 71.3 ranks it in the 71st percentile nationally, well above the U.S. median of 50.0. It's a livable choice that outperforms seven in ten American counties.

Exactly at South Dakota average

Brule's score of 71.3 matches South Dakota's state average precisely, making it a perfectly typical performer among the state's 66 counties. It's representative of what South Dakota offers overall.

Lowest taxes and strong incomes

Brule's tax score of 78.4 and effective rate of 0.849% are the most favorable among these eight counties, and its income score of 31.7 (median $74,043) is tied for the highest. These deliver strong financial advantage.

Moderate economic volatility concerns

Brule's risk score of 41.3 suggests moderate economic uncertainty, and its cost score of 84.7 with median homes at $205,500 presents higher housing costs than some alternatives. Health outcomes at 69.6 are middling.

Ideal for tax-conscious earners

Brule suits families prioritizing low taxes and strong household incomes who can afford moderately priced homes. It's the best choice in this group for those who value tax savings and earning power.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.4Cost84.7SafetyComing SoonHealth69.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.7Risk41.3WaterComing Soon
🏛78.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.3
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 Brule County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barbour County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,290
Marengo County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,205
Clark County
Arkansas
71.3
Median income: $50,985
Jefferson County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $56,984
Lafayette County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $60,692

Deep Dives

Brule County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Brule County

via TaxByCounty

Brule offers exceptionally low property taxes

At 0.849%, Brule County's effective tax rate is among the lowest in the nation, well below the 1.13% national median. The median tax bill of $1,744 is roughly 35% less than the national median of $2,690, delivering substantial savings even on higher home values.

South Dakota's most tax-friendly county

Brule County ranks as the lowest-tax county in South Dakota with a 0.849% effective rate, significantly below the state average of 1.094%. The median tax of $1,744, while above some rural counties, reflects the county's relatively higher median home value of $205,500 combined with the lowest rate in the state.

Region's most favorable tax environment

Brule County's 0.849% rate is dramatically lower than Aurora (1.080%), Beadle (1.053%), Bennett (1.027%), and all regional neighbors. Despite higher property values than many surrounding counties, Brule homeowners pay the least in taxes.

Median home: $205,500 = $1,744 tax

Brule County homeowners pay approximately $1,744 annually on the median home value of $205,500 at a 0.849% effective rate. This works out to roughly $145 per month—the lowest per-dollar burden in South Dakota despite the county's above-average home values.

Verify Brule assessments for maximum savings

Even in South Dakota's most tax-friendly county, assessment errors can happen. If your Brule County property's assessed value seems high compared to comparable homes, requesting a reassessment review could provide additional savings on an already favorable tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Brule County

via CostByCounty

Brule delivers South Dakota's best rental deal

Brule County's 11.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among America's most affordable, with $700 monthly rents against a $74,043 median household income that nearly matches national averages. This rare combination—low rents plus competitive incomes—puts Brule in elite affordability company.

Brule leads South Dakota on affordability

At 11.3% rent-to-income, Brule County ranks below the state average of 13.8%, making it one of South Dakota's most renter-friendly counties overall. The solid median household income ($74,043) strengthens its competitive position.

Brule combines low rents with strong income

Brule's $700 median rent undercuts most regional peers, while the $74,043 median household income exceeds Aurora ($74,130 is virtually identical) and clearly outpaces lower-income counties. This combination makes Brule genuinely exceptional.

Housing costs enable financial flexibility

Renters spend $700 monthly (11.3% of income) and homeowners $739 (12.0% of income), both well-managed figures against the $74,043 median household income. These rates leave substantial room for savings and other expenses.

Brule offers rare affordability-income balance

If you're seeking genuine financial breathing room without sacrificing income, Brule County merits serious consideration—few South Dakota counties match this combination. Strong incomes plus low housing costs create a sustainable foundation for relocation.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Brule County

via IncomeByCounty

Brule matches national income closely

Brule County's median household income of $74,043 sits just $712 below the national median of $74,755—essentially at parity. This near-perfect alignment positions Brule residents among the truly comparable earners to average American households.

Top earner in South Dakota

Brule's $74,043 ranks as the second-highest median household income in this eight-county survey, exceeding South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by $7,117. Per capita income of $36,063 also surpasses the state's $35,667, slightly outpacing the typical South Dakotan.

Peer to Aurora, outpaces others

Brule's $74,043 nearly matches Aurora's $74,130 and trails only regional peers Brown ($70,239) by comparison. This puts Brule among the county's economic leaders, earning substantially more than Brookings, Bon Homme, Beadle, Bennett, and Buffalo counties.

Excellent housing affordability

Brule's rent-to-income ratio of 11.3% ranks among the lowest in the survey—housing claims just above one-ninth of median income. The median home value of $205,500 represents 2.8 years of household income, offering solid purchasing power for interested homebuyers.

Maximize savings in peak earning years

With $74,043 in median income and just 11.3% spent on housing, Brule households should aggressively fund retirement accounts and education savings. Consider maxing out 401(k) contributions and exploring additional investment vehicles to capitalize on strong earning years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Brule County

via HealthByCounty

Brule County exceeds national longevity

Brule County's 79.1-year life expectancy tops the U.S. average of 74.5 years by 4.6 years, placing it among America's longer-lived counties. However, 17.0% of residents report poor or fair health, above the national average of 15%, suggesting health disparities within the county.

South Dakota's third-healthiest county

Brule's 79.1-year life expectancy ranks third in South Dakota, 3.7 years above the state average of 75.4 years. The county's 17.0% poor/fair health rate places it in the middle of state outcomes, balancing strong longevity with pockets of health challenges.

Strong longevity with robust provider access

Brule's 79.1-year life expectancy compares favorably to Brookings (79.9) and Beadle (78.4), and far exceeds Bennett (67.9). The county's 115 primary care providers per 100K is the highest in this group, supporting extensive preventive care access despite a 17% poor/fair health rate.

Higher uninsured rate despite strong providers

Brule's 13.4% uninsured rate exceeds the state average by 2.3 percentage points, the second-highest in this group. The county compensates with the strongest primary care density (115 per 100K) and 151 mental health providers per 100K, creating robust infrastructure even as coverage gaps persist.

Close Brule's coverage gap

Despite strong healthcare infrastructure, 13.4% of Brule County residents—1 in 7—lack health insurance, one of the state's highest rates. Visit healthcare.gov or call 211 to find affordable coverage options and protect yourself from medical debt.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Brule County

via RiskByCounty

Brule's risk substantially exceeds national

Brule County's composite risk score of 58.72 lands in the "Relatively Low" category but exceeds the national average by 119%. Your county experiences significantly elevated natural disaster exposure driven by wildfire, flood, and moderate tornado threats.

Well above-average risk in South Dakota

Brule County ranks in South Dakota's higher-risk tier with a composite score of 58.72, more than double the state average of 26.84. The county faces substantially greater hazard exposure than most other South Dakota communities.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Brule's composite score of 58.72 exceeds neighboring Buffalo County (13.74) and Aurora County (19.59) but remains below Brown County (73.54). Brule ranks among the upper tier of South Dakota's most hazard-prone areas.

Wildfire leads Brule's hazard list

Wildfire risk (73.63) represents Brule County's dominant natural disaster threat, followed by flood risk (28.56) that reflects the county's position along major waterways. Tornado exposure (35.05) remains moderate but notable.

Emphasize wildfire and flood coverage

Brule County residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes comprehensive wildfire and fire damage coverage plus a separate flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. Property owners near waterways should prioritize flood insurance given the moderate flood risk profile.

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.