countyscore
50.3
County Score
Income & Jobs 85.7Disaster Risk 83.7Health 73.4

County Report Card

About Custer County, South Dakota

Matching the National Median

Custer County sits right at the heart of the U.S. data with a composite score of 50.7. It offers a balanced American lifestyle that mirrors the national median of 50.0.

Competitive with the State

With a score of 50.7, the county is slightly below the state average of 55.9 but remains a strong contender. It trades some affordability for higher incomes and lower taxes.

High Incomes and Low Taxes

The county boasts a powerful income score of 85.8 and a median household income of $81,958. Residents also enjoy a favorable tax environment with an effective rate of just 0.779%.

High Costs and Water Scarcity

Housing is expensive for the region, with a cost score of 23.1 and median home values at $327,200. Water infrastructure is a significant weak point, earning a low score of 17.0.

A High-Earning Professional's Retreat

Custer County is ideal for high-income families or professionals who can afford premium real estate and lower tax rates. It is a scenic, wealthy enclave for those who don't mind paying more for their piece of South Dakota.

2040608010052.922.843.773.457.185.783.71744.5Tax52.9Cost22.8Safety43.7Health73.4Schools57.1Income85.7Risk83.7Water17Weather44.550.3/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Custer County DNA

Foverall

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

Custer County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (83.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (17/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
52.9
Cost
22.8-25.2
Safety
43.7-11.299999999999997
Health
73.4+23.400000000000006
Schools
57.1
Income
85.7+34.7
Risk
83.7+36.7
Water
17-41
Weather
44.5-11.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$372,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,112/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$372,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$44,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $84,112/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.0

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

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South Dakota
47.1
Pennington County
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28
Oglala Lakota County
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65.9
Lawrence County
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Weston County
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Dawes County
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Meade County
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Niobrara County
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Deep Dives

Custer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Custer County

via TaxByCounty

Custer County offers exceptional tax value

Custer County's effective tax rate of 0.779% is among the lowest in America, though its median property tax of $2,549 reflects high home values in the Black Hills region. At 0.779%, Custer homeowners enjoy an effective rate roughly 71% below the national median rate, delivering exceptional tax efficiency.

Custer has South Dakota's lowest rate

Custer County's 0.779% effective rate is the absolute lowest in South Dakota, running 29% below the state average of 1.094%. Combined with premium property values averaging $327,200—the highest among these eight counties—Custer offers an elite combination of low rates and strong real estate values.

Lowest rate among all regional counties

Custer's 0.779% rate beats every neighboring county in this analysis, including Clark's 0.981% and Butte's 1.058%. This makes Custer the premier low-tax destination across the entire region, attracting affluent homeowners to the scenic Black Hills.

Custer taxes run $2,549 median

With a median home value of $327,200 and Custer's 0.779% effective rate, homeowners pay approximately $2,549 in annual property taxes. Despite the lowest rate in South Dakota, Custer's premium property values mean actual bills rival or exceed more tax-burdened counties with cheaper homes.

Even low-rate homes deserve appeals

Custer County homeowners should verify their assessments, as overvaluation can occur even in premium markets and appeal refunds may be substantial. Request reassessment from the county assessor if comparable sales suggest your property valuation is inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Custer County

via IncomeByCounty

Custer County exceeds national income median

Custer County's median household income of $81,958 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by $7,203, placing it firmly in the upper tier nationally and among America's more prosperous counties. This 9.6% advantage reflects Custer's robust tourism, recreation, and professional services economy anchored by the Black Hills region. Per capita income of $50,278 further exceeds national benchmarks, indicating strong earning potential across the workforce.

Custer leads all South Dakota counties

Custer County's median household income of $81,958 significantly outpaces South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by $15,032, making it the highest-income county in the dataset. Its per capita income of $50,278 nearly 41% exceeds the state average of $35,667, reflecting concentrated wealth and professional employment. Custer's position reflects successful economic diversification beyond traditional agriculture into tourism, outdoor recreation, and services.

Custer dominates regional income rankings

Custer County's $81,958 median household income substantially leads all regional peers, outearning second-place Butte ($67,692) by $14,266. With per capita income of $50,278, Custer surpasses all neighbors, reflecting superior wage levels and employment quality across the Black Hills economy. This leadership position reflects Custer's status as a regional economic hub for tourism, recreation, and professional services.

Housing remains affordability challenge

Despite high incomes, Custer County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% edges above the affordability threshold, reflecting median home values of $327,200—the highest in the entire dataset. This means even affluent Custer households allocate significant income to housing, though financial capacity remains strong relative to lower-income peers. Renters and homebuyers should plan strategically given Custer's premium housing market relative to regional peers.

Invest aggressively for long-term growth

Custer County households earning $81,958 can comfortably direct 15–25% of gross income toward diversified investments, retirement accounts, and wealth-building strategies, leveraging strong income stability. High-income earners should maximize 401(k) contributions, backdoor Roth conversions, and taxable investment accounts while exploring tax-efficient strategies with a financial advisor. Consider reinvesting gains and real estate opportunities to compound wealth over decades and build intergenerational financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Custer County

via CrimeByCounty

Custer County Offers High National Safety

Custer County earns a safety score of 98.0, indicating a secure environment for residents. Its total crime rate of 1,268.4 per 100,000 is about half of the national average of 2,385.5.

Trailing Slightly Behind State Averages

The county's total crime rate of 1,268.4 is higher than the South Dakota average of 788.1. Its safety score of 98.0 also sits just below the statewide average of 98.8.

A Unique Profile in the Black Hills

With only one reporting agency, Custer's data captures a specific snapshot of local law enforcement activity. The county faces higher crime rates than some neighboring rural areas, likely due to its high volume of tourism.

Property Crime as the Main Issue

Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,139.2 per 100,000, while violent crime remains low at 129.2. Violent crime in Custer County is actually slightly lower than the South Dakota state average.

Keeping Your Custer County Home Secure

Since most local crime involves property, residents should use cameras and secure locks to deter theft. In a high-tourism area, it is especially important to keep valuables out of sight in vehicles and homes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Custer County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate Mountain and Plains Blend

Custer County maintains an average temperature of 45.2°F, which is cool by national standards. The area is relatively dry, receiving 19.5 inches of annual precipitation.

Typical South Dakota Average Temperature

Custer's 45.2°F annual average is almost identical to the South Dakota state average of 45.6°F. However, its 19.5 inches of precipitation is lower than the state's 22.7-inch average.

Milder Winters Than Northern Neighbors

Custer shares a similar annual temperature with Butte County, but enjoys much warmer Januarys at 25.5°F. It is also significantly snowier, receiving 43 inches compared to Butte's 41.7 inches.

Heavy Snow and Mild Summers

Summer in Custer is pleasant with only 14 days of extreme heat and a July average of 69.2°F. Winter is the dominant season, bringing the highest snowfall on this list at 43 inches.

Equip for Serious Snow Management

The 43 inches of annual snow requires high-quality winter gear and reliable four-wheel drive. Because summer temperatures are mild, residents can often rely on natural ventilation instead of heavy air conditioning.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Custer County

via SoilByCounty

The rugged soils of the Black Hills

Custer County's complex topography means soil data is limited and varies wildly by elevation. While a specific average pH is not available, the surrounding mountain soils often vary from acidic forest floors to alkaline valley floors.

Variable textures across the peaks

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not mapped in this dataset due to the rocky terrain. The soil texture here ranges from thin, rocky layers on ridges to deeper sediments in the mountain meadows.

Organic life in the forest

While available water capacity and organic matter averages are N/A, the region's forests suggest pockets of rich organic litter. Gardening here often requires raised beds to overcome the shallow, rocky soil typical of the area.

Fast runoff and mountain drainage

Hydrologic data is limited, but the steep slopes of Custer County generally lead to rapid water runoff. Proper site selection is key to finding areas where water and soil actually collect.

Gardening in zone 5a

Despite the rugged land, Custer sits in Zone 5a. You can grow beautiful mountain gardens featuring native wildflowers and cold-tolerant herbs, provided you have enough soil depth.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Custer County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Difficult High-Altitude Lawns

Custer County is the most challenging in this group, with a lawn difficulty score of just 36.6. Homeowners in this Zone 5a region must work significantly harder than the rest of the state to maintain a traditional lawn.

Short Seasons and High Evaporation

Though heat days are low at 14 per year, the 19.5 inches of annual rain is insufficient for most thirsty grass types. The 2,041 growing degree days reflect a shorter, cooler growth window that requires specialized plant choices.

Investigating Local Soil Secrets

Specific county-wide soil data is limited for Custer, making a home soil test kit an essential first step for any gardener. Knowing your specific yard's pH and drainage is the only way to overcome the county's low difficulty score.

Severe Drought Challenges in the Hills

Custer faces serious water stress, with 100% of the county abnormally dry and 28.6% in severe drought. After 35 weeks of drought in the last year, prioritizing drought-tolerant native grasses or xeriscaping is a smart long-term strategy.

A Brief Window for Custer Lawns

With the last frost occurring late on May 18 and the first fall frost on September 28, the growing window is tight. Focus on hardy, drought-resistant varieties and get them in the ground as soon as the spring soil warms to maximize growth.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Custer County's county score?
Custer County, South Dakota has a composite county score of 50.3 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 Custer County rank among counties in South Dakota?
Custer County ranks #45 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 Custer County, South Dakota?
The median annual property tax in Custer County is $2,879, with an effective tax rate of 0.77%. This earns Custer County a tax score of 52.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Custer County?
The median household income in Custer County, South Dakota is $84,112 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Custer County earns an income score of 85.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Custer County, South Dakota a good place to live?
Custer County scores 50.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #45 in South Dakota. The best way to evaluate Custer 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 Custer 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.