CountyScore

Corson County

South Dakota · SD

#61 in South Dakota
64.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Corson County, South Dakota

Corson County exceeds national baseline

Corson County scores 64.8—a 30% premium over the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top-third of U.S. counties. Exceptional housing affordability compensates for other modest performance areas.

Below state average, South Dakota's lowest tier

Corson County's score of 64.8 trails South Dakota's average of 71.3 by 6.5 points, ranking it in the lower quartile of state counties. It faces the most livability headwinds among these eight South Dakota communities.

Unbeatable housing affordability

Corson County leads all eight counties with the highest cost score of 91.9, featuring the lowest median home value ($73,800) and median rent ($473/month) by far. These ultra-low housing costs make homeownership accessible to nearly anyone.

Income and health outcomes need serious attention

The income score of 12.0 is drastically the lowest here, with median household income of just $43,750—signaling severe economic constraints. Health outcomes (47.2) are also the weakest, indicating significant health care access or population health challenges.

For those prioritizing affordability above all else

Corson County suits retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers with stable out-of-county earnings, and those with strong personal health and financial resilience. It's best for those who can navigate limited local employment and health care independently while enjoying ultra-low living costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.7Cost91.9SafetyComing SoonHealth47.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome12Risk61.9WaterComing Soon
🏛64.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤47.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡61.9
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 Corson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Glenn County
California
64.8
Median income: $70,487
Coweta County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $94,142
Glynn County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $68,546
Harper County
Kansas
64.8
Median income: $55,417
Gallatin County
Montana
64.8
Median income: $87,454

Deep Dives

Corson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Corson County

via TaxByCounty

Corson County taxes far below nation

Corson County's effective tax rate of 1.337% produces only $987 in median property taxes—a striking 63% lower than the national median of $2,690. This makes Corson among America's most tax-affordable counties for homeowners seeking minimal property tax burden.

Corson above average for South Dakota

Corson's 1.337% effective rate exceeds South Dakota's state average of 1.094%, yet its median property tax of $987 remains far below the state median of $1,785. This paradox reflects Corson's very low property valuations and rural character, keeping actual bills minimal despite higher rates.

Higher rate, lower bills than peers

Corson's 1.337% effective rate ranks second-highest among neighbors, but its $987 median tax bill is the lowest in the region due to low home values. While rate-wise Corson rivals Campbell's 1.440%, actual homeowner bills tell a different story of affordability.

Corson residents pay just $987 yearly

A median home valued at $73,800 with Corson's 1.337% effective rate yields approximately $987 in annual property taxes—the lowest among comparable counties. Even with mortgage assessments, bills reach only $1,136, offering exceptional affordability.

Verify your assessment accuracy

Corson County homeowners should still review their property assessments to ensure fairness, as overvaluation can occur regardless of low home prices and may qualify for appeal refunds. The county assessor supports reassessment requests backed by evidence of inflated valuations.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Corson County

via CostByCounty

Corson offers unbeatable rental bargains

Corson County renters spend just 13% of household income on rent—within the healthy national range of 12-14%—while median income of $43,750 ranks lowest in this profile. The remarkably affordable $473 monthly rent cushions the impact of the county's relatively low wages, making basic rental housing accessible even for modest earners.

South Dakota's cheapest rentals

Corson County's 13% rent-to-income ratio sits below the state average of 13.8%, and its $473 monthly rent represents the state's cheapest housing option by far. This combination makes Corson uniquely affordable for renters despite its limited economic opportunity base.

Lowest rent, lowest income, best ratio

Corson's $473 rent drastically undercuts all neighbors—Campbell at $635 is nearly 35% higher, while Codington ($901) and Butte ($940) are roughly double. The median home value of $73,800 is the region's lowest, making both rental and homeownership pathways remarkably accessible.

Bargain basement housing economics

Renters pay just $473 monthly while homeowners spend $548 on properties averaging $73,800, supported by a $43,750 median income. Housing claims roughly 13% of gross income, offering the strongest affordability position in this entire profile despite the lowest earning base.

Corson County: affordability champion

Corson County delivers South Dakota's most affordable housing costs—$473 rent and $73,800 home values—making it ideal for buyers on tight budgets. Trade-off: the county's rural isolation and limited job market mean housing affordability works best if your income or remote work doesn't depend on local opportunities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Corson County

via IncomeByCounty

Corson County faces severe income gap

Corson County's median household income of $43,750 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by a stark $31,005, a devastating 41.5% income deficit that marks Corson among America's lowest-income counties. Per capita income of $20,743 is critically low, indicating systemic workforce challenges, limited employment diversity, or significant underemployment. These figures reflect deep structural economic challenges that require targeted intervention and opportunity development.

Corson represents South Dakota's poorest county

At $43,750, Corson County's median household income falls a stunning $23,176 below South Dakota's state average of $66,926, making it the lowest-income county in the dataset. Its per capita income of $20,743 represents just 58% of the state average of $35,667, indicating profound wage stagnation or employment barriers. Corson's position reflects economic isolation, limited industry, and persistent rural poverty challenges.

Corson lags all comparison counties significantly

Corson County's $43,750 median household income trails all neighboring counties by massive margins, sitting $19,142 below the next-lowest county (Clay at $58,794). With per capita income of $20,743, Corson underperforms all regional peers by 20–50%, indicating acute employment crisis or wage collapse. Geographic isolation and limited industry diversification likely compound Corson's economic disadvantages relative to regional neighbors.

Housing remains only affordable segment

Corson County's exceptional rent-to-income ratio of 13.0% offers the primary affordability advantage in an otherwise economically stressed county, though the benefit is limited by overall income scarcity. Median home values of just $73,800 keep homeownership theoretically accessible, yet household incomes may lack stability for mortgages despite low prices. Many residents likely depend on rental housing or inherited property, as traditional homeownership pathways remain difficult.

Prioritize stable employment and education

Corson County households face urgent need to build income stability and marketable skills before considering traditional wealth-building strategies, given severe median income constraints. Focus on accessing workforce development programs, trade certifications, or education pathways that lead to higher-wage employment within or beyond the county. Once household income reaches regional norms ($60,000+), redirect gains into emergency savings and retirement accounts as financial foundation strengthens.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Corson County

via HealthByCounty

Corson County faces crisis-level health

At 58.7 years, Corson County's life expectancy is 18.1 years below the U.S. average of 76.8 years—among the lowest in the nation. The county's 26.6% poor or fair health rate is catastrophically high, reflecting severe, widespread health challenges.

Stark disparity within the state

Corson County's 58.7-year life expectancy falls 16.7 years below South Dakota's 75.4-year average, representing the state's most severe health crisis. While its 10.3% uninsured rate aligns with the state average, this masks deeper healthcare access and quality problems.

Health emergency among peers

Corson County's 58.7-year life expectancy is a tragic 22.3 years below Clark County's 81.0 years. Its 26.6% poor or fair health rate more than doubles Charles Mix County's 17.5%, signaling an acute public health crisis unique among this comparison group.

Systemic healthcare access crisis

While Corson County's 10.3% uninsured rate appears reasonable, the county's catastrophic life expectancy and health perception suggest deeper issues: possibly limited primary care data reflects actual provider shortages, and 106 mental health providers per 100K may be insufficient for a population facing such acute distress. Behavioral health and social determinants likely drive the crisis.

Healthcare is critical now

Corson County faces unprecedented health challenges requiring immediate intervention. Ensure you have insurance coverage as a foundation, but also connect with community health resources, behavioral health services, and social support programs that address the county's systemic challenges.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Corson County

via RiskByCounty

Corson County's wildfire risk stands out

Corson County scores 38.10 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category but above the national average. Wildfire dominates the county's risk profile at 77.26, far outweighing other hazards.

Mid-range South Dakota risk profile

Corson County's 38.10 composite score exceeds South Dakota's 26.84 state average, placing it in the middle tier of statewide disaster exposure. The county's risk profile is driven almost entirely by wildfire concerns.

Wildfire risk comparable to northern counties

Corson County's wildfire risk of 77.26 matches neighboring Campbell (77.51) and Butte (86.90) counties in the northwestern region. However, Corson's overall composite risk sits lower due to minimal flood, tornado, and earthquake exposure.

Wildfire risk overwhelmingly dominant threat

Wildfire risk at 77.26 accounts for nearly all of Corson County's disaster exposure, while flood (16.09), tornado (23.60), and earthquake (7.41) risks remain minimal. The county faces a single-hazard risk landscape typical of rural northern South Dakota.

Wildfire coverage is Corson's insurance priority

Corson County homeowners should prioritize wildfire insurance riders or separate wildfire policies, as standard homeowners coverage typically excludes this hazard despite the 77.26 risk score. Defensible space maintenance around structures provides cost-effective additional protection.

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.