Codington County

South Dakota · SD

#54 in South Dakota
67.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Codington County, South Dakota

Codington County clears national livability bar

Codington County scores 67.7, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by 35%, placing it comfortably in the top half of U.S. counties. Solid fundamentals across tax efficiency and housing costs drive this above-average ranking.

Slightly below state average, midfield rank

With a score of 67.7, Codington County ranks just below South Dakota's average of 71.3, placing it in the state's middle tier. It remains a respectable choice, though several peers score higher.

Tax efficiency and balanced health outcomes

Codington County scores 72.5 on tax efficiency (effective rate 1.060%) and 74.0 on health, indicating reasonable tax burden and good health care access. The cost score of 77.2 keeps median rent at $901/month manageable.

Risk score signals vulnerability

The risk score of 38.2 is the lowest among these eight counties, suggesting environmental or economic vulnerabilities that may concern stability-focused residents. This gap indicates potential challenges in long-term resilience or community stability.

Suited for those managing risk carefully

Codington County appeals to pragmatic families and individuals who seek solid tax efficiency and health care but can navigate or mitigate local risk factors. It works best for those with strong financial reserves, diverse income streams, or the flexibility to adapt to economic challenges.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.5Cost77.2SafetyComing SoonHealth74SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk38.2WaterComing Soon
🏛72.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠77.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
74
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
38.2
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

Codington County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Codington County

via TaxByCounty

Codington County slightly below national

Codington County's effective tax rate of 1.060% and median property tax of $2,310 run modestly below the national median of $2,690. Homeowners here pay roughly 14% less than the typical American household, reflecting reasonable tax burden for a mid-sized regional economy.

Codington slightly below state average

Codington's 1.060% effective rate sits just below South Dakota's state average of 1.094%, placing it in the more affordable half of the state. The median property tax of $2,310 exceeds the state median of $1,785 due to Codington's higher home values and stronger property market.

Comparable to Butte, lower than Clay

Codington's 1.060% rate nearly matches Butte's 1.058%, both running well below Clay's 1.298% and Campbell's 1.440%. In regional comparison, Codington represents a balanced, moderate-tax environment typical of growing South Dakota communities.

Median Codington tax is $2,310

With a median home value of $218,000 and a 1.060% effective rate, Codington homeowners pay approximately $2,310 in annual property taxes. Taxes may reach $2,372 when mortgage assessments apply, or dip to $2,231 for homeowners without mortgages.

Review your assessment for overvaluation

Many Codington County homeowners discover overassessments on their properties and can appeal for refunds through the county's formal reassessment process. Contact the assessor's office if you believe your valuation exceeds fair market value based on recent comparable sales.

Cost of Living in Codington County

via CostByCounty

Codington rents above national comfort zone

Codington County renters allocate 16.6% of household income to rent, exceeding the healthy national range of 12-14%, while median income of $65,080 trails the national median by nearly $10,000. The $901 monthly rent makes Codington one of the state's pricier rental markets despite modest local wages.

Second-priciest county in state

Codington's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among South Dakota's worst affordability metrics, beaten only by Clay County's 15% and Butte's 16.7%. Monthly rent of $901 significantly exceeds the state median of $756, placing renters here under substantial financial strain.

Premium pricing, limited bargains

Codington's $901 rent runs $266 above Campbell County's bargain basement and $174 above Charles Mix, making it the region's rental pricier. Homebuyers face a median value of $218,000, nearly matching Butte and Clay County's expensive markets.

High rents on moderate incomes

Renters pay $901 monthly while homeowners spend $985 on $218,000 median-valued homes, supported by $65,080 median income. Housing costs approach one-sixth of gross income for renters and nearly one-fifth for owners, straining household budgets considerably.

Codington: premium costs require premium income

Codington County's above-average rents and home values demand strong earning power—expect to dedicate over 16% of income to housing as a renter. Consider this a higher-cost county despite modest local wages; ensure your relocation income exceeds the $65,000 median substantially.

Income & Jobs in Codington County

via IncomeByCounty

Codington trails national income benchmark

Codington County's median household income of $65,080 falls $9,675 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, representing a 12.9% income gap. While below the national average, Codington's per capita income of $37,308 exceeds national norms, suggesting concentrated earning power among employed residents. This profile reflects a smaller, tighter labor market with skilled workers but fewer overall households.

Codington slightly below South Dakota average

Codington County's median household income of $65,080 marginally underperforms South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by $1,846, placing it in the middle tier statewide. Its per capita income of $37,308 solidly exceeds the state average of $35,667, indicating stronger individual earning capacity. Codington's position reflects a stable regional economy with quality employment opportunities and skilled workers.

Codington ranks mid-tier regionally

Codington County's $65,080 median household income places it third regionally, behind Butte ($67,692) and Campbell ($65,000), and ahead of Charles Mix ($64,850) and Clark ($62,885). The county's per capita income of $37,308 ranks second only to Campbell ($42,435) among regional peers, reflecting quality employment sectors. Codington's balanced economic profile mirrors larger regional hubs with manufacturing and service industries.

Housing costs near affordability edge

Codington County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% edges slightly above the 15% affordability threshold, indicating housing consumes notable household resources for median earners. With median home values of $218,000, homeownership requires substantial commitment; however, the strong per capita income suggests dual-earner households manage affordability effectively. Renters face tighter budgets than in neighboring counties with lower housing values.

Maximize income potential through savings

Codington County households earning $65,080 can target 10–15% of gross income toward retirement and investment accounts, leveraging the county's solid per capita income. Dual-earner households particularly benefit from maxing out both employer 401(k) matches and spousal IRA contributions annually. Consider consulting a fee-only financial planner to optimize tax-advantaged strategies and diversified investment allocations suited to your timeline and risk tolerance.

Health in Codington County

via HealthByCounty

Codington County leads on longevity

At 78.8 years, Codington County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.8 years by 2 years. The county's 14.9% poor or fair health rate closely mirrors the national average, reflecting solid population health perception.

State's best provider access

Codington County significantly outperforms South Dakota's 75.4-year state average with 78.8 years of life expectancy. More notably, the county boasts the region's highest provider capacity: 95 primary care providers and 359 mental health providers per 100K—far exceeding state norms.

Provider hub of South Dakota

Codington County's 95 primary care providers per 100K dwarfs all peers in this group—Custer County's 47 per 100K is half as many. Its 359 mental health providers per 100K is more than triple any neighbor, making Codington the regional healthcare access leader.

Healthcare access is abundant here

Codington County residents enjoy exceptional healthcare access with providers available at densities rarely seen statewide. At 10.4% uninsured, the county maintains solid coverage while its provider abundance ensures those insured can actually access care.

Take advantage of abundant care

With more healthcare providers than almost anywhere in the state, Codington County residents should ensure they have insurance to use this advantage. Check your coverage status and enroll if needed to access the robust care available here.

Disaster Risk in Codington County

via RiskByCounty

Codington County faces elevated disaster risk

Codington County scores 61.77 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category but significantly above the national average. This elevated score reflects substantial exposure to multiple hazards, particularly tornadoes and floods.

South Dakota's riskiest county for natural hazards

At 61.77, Codington County's composite risk score is more than double South Dakota's 26.84 state average, making it the state's highest-risk county overall. Residents face the most extensive disaster exposure in South Dakota.

Clear leader in regional disaster exposure

Codington County's 61.77 score far exceeds neighboring Clark (4.55) and Charles Mix (48.54) counties, establishing it as the region's disaster hotspot. Its combination of high tornado (77.00), flood (65.20), and wildfire (71.02) risks creates a uniquely challenging exposure profile.

Tornado, flood, and wildfire all elevated

Codington County confronts three major hazards: tornado risk (77.00), flood risk (65.20), and wildfire risk (71.02), creating the state's most complex disaster profile. These three hazards combine to drive the county's significantly elevated composite risk score.

Comprehensive coverage essential for Codington

Codington County residents must maintain tornado safety infrastructure (safe rooms, basement reinforcement) and carry both flood and comprehensive homeowners insurance to protect against the county's multiple hazards. Properties in flood-prone areas should consider elevated construction or floodproofing given the 65.20 flood risk score.

ByCounty Network

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