CountyScore

Davison County

South Dakota · SD

#47 in South Dakota
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Davison County, South Dakota

Well above the national average

Davison County scores 69.1 on the CountyScore livability index, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper tier of U.S. counties, demonstrating strong overall livability across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below South Dakota's middle

Among South Dakota's counties, Davison ranks at 69.1, just below the state average of 71.3. The county holds its own in a competitive state, though several neighbors edge ahead in overall livability metrics.

Affordable housing drives livability

Davison County excels in housing affordability with a Cost Score of 81.5 and a median home value of $190,000, paired with rental options at just $750/month. Health outcomes also stand out at 72.4, and the effective tax rate of 1.243% remains competitive within the region.

Income growth lags significantly

The county's Income Score of 23.5 is notably low, with a median household income of $61,401 that trails state opportunities. Risk Score of 60.8 also suggests room for improvement in economic stability and resilience.

Best for budget-conscious families

Davison County suits families prioritizing affordable housing and stable health care access over higher wage prospects. It's an appealing choice for retirees, small-business owners, and those seeking small-town stability without city-scale income demands.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.3Cost81.5SafetyComing SoonHealth72.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.5Risk60.8WaterComing Soon
🏛67.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡60.8
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 Davison County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Crawford County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $60,362
Johnson County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $44,808
Routt County
Colorado
69.1
Median income: $104,803
Taylor County
Georgia
69.1
Median income: $41,743
Twin Falls County
Idaho
69.1
Median income: $65,338

Deep Dives

Davison County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Davison County

via TaxByCounty

Davison's taxes run higher than most Americans

At 1.243%, Davison County's effective property tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. The median homeowner here pays $2,361 annually—well below the national median of $2,690—because South Dakota home values are substantially lower than the country's $281,900 median.

Above average for South Dakota

Davison County ranks among the higher-taxed counties in South Dakota, with an effective rate of 1.243% compared to the state average of 1.094%. Homeowners pay $2,361 in median property tax versus $1,785 statewide, reflecting stronger local tax bases.

Higher than surrounding rural counties

Davison's 1.243% rate significantly exceeds nearby Day County (1.030%) and Deuel County (0.820%), though it's slightly lower than neighboring Dewey County (1.338%). The $2,361 median tax bill is the highest among these peer counties, driven by higher median home values of $190,000.

Own a median home? Expect $2,361 yearly

A homeowner with Davison County's median property value of $190,000 pays approximately $2,361 per year in property taxes at the current 1.243% effective rate. This translates to roughly $197 monthly, or about $59 per quarter for most homeowners.

You might be paying too much

Across South Dakota, many homeowners discover their assessments are inflated—and Davison County is no exception. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent sales in your area, requesting a reassessment review could lower your tax bill significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Davison County

via CostByCounty

Davison's housing costs outpace national norms

Davison County residents spend 14.7% of their income on rent, compared to a national median of roughly 13.8%. While the $750 median monthly rent is close to the national standard, the county's median household income of $61,401 trails the U.S. average by $13,354, making housing a proportionally tighter squeeze.

Middle of the South Dakota pack

At 14.7%, Davison's rent-to-income ratio sits slightly above South Dakota's state average of 13.8%. The county ranks solidly in the middle range of affordability for South Dakota counties, neither a bargain basement nor a high-cost outlier.

Davison outpaces nearby counties

Davison's $750 rent is competitive with state averages and lower than nearby Edmunds County ($881) and Fall River County ($866). However, Day County to the north offers better affordability at just 12% rent-to-income ratio and $623 monthly rent.

Where Davison incomes go

Renters in Davison dedicate $750 monthly to housing, while homeowners spend $889 on ownership costs—with median home values at $190,000. Together, housing consumes roughly 14.7% of the median household income, leaving substantial room for other expenses compared to national stress levels.

Consider Davison if you value balance

Davison County offers reasonable housing costs with solid income levels by South Dakota standards. If you're relocating, compare it to the more affordable Day County or the slightly pricier Fall River County to find your ideal fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Davison County

via IncomeByCounty

Davison trails national income benchmark

Davison County's median household income of $61,401 falls $13,354 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle range nationally. This gap reflects economic patterns common to rural South Dakota counties, where agricultural and manufacturing sectors dominate over higher-wage industries.

Below-average rank within South Dakota

At $61,401, Davison County earns slightly below South Dakota's state average of $66,926, ranking it in the lower half of the state's 66 counties. The county's per capita income of $36,524 slightly exceeds the state average of $35,667, suggesting income concentration among fewer earners.

Davison outpaced by neighboring peers

Davison County's median household income lags Deuel County ($79,556) and Day County ($62,270), its stronger regional neighbors. However, it outearns Fall River County ($61,056) and Faulk County ($58,000) in the same economic region, indicating mixed performance relative to similar rural counties.

Affordable housing supports financial stability

With a rent-to-income ratio of 14.7%, Davison County remains below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs consume a manageable share of household earnings. The median home value of $190,000 is accessible to median-income households, supporting long-term wealth building through homeownership.

Build financial security in Davison County

Davison County households should leverage affordable housing to build equity while focusing on savings and retirement planning to close the income gap with national peers. Starting an emergency fund covering three to six months of expenses, then maximizing 401(k) contributions, creates a foundation for generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Davison County

via HealthByCounty

Davison lives longer than most Americans

At 78.5 years, Davison County residents live about 5.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 73 years. Just 15.9% report poor or fair health, beating the national rate of roughly 18%, signaling strong overall wellness across the county.

A top performer in South Dakota

Davison County's 78.5-year life expectancy ranks well above South Dakota's state average of 75.4 years. The county's health advantage is particularly notable among South Dakota's 66 counties, reflecting solid healthcare access and community wellness.

Davison outpaces nearby counties

Davison's 78.5-year life expectancy exceeds Day County (78.3) and Faulk County (77.2), positioning it as a regional health leader. Its 81 primary care providers per 100,000 residents far outpace neighbors like Deuel County (23 per 100K), ensuring robust frontline care.

Healthcare access meets community needs

Davison County's 11.0% uninsured rate nearly matches South Dakota's average of 11.1%, meaning most residents have coverage. With 161 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the county leads the region in behavioral health capacity, addressing critical wellness gaps.

Make sure you're covered

Even in a well-insured county, 1 in 9 Davison residents lack health insurance. Check your coverage today—visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and employer options that fit your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Davison County

via RiskByCounty

Davison's composite risk exceeds state average

Davison County scores 39.25 on the composite risk index, placing it above South Dakota's 26.84 state average and well above the nation's typical risk profile. Despite the "Very Low" rating, this county faces above-average vulnerability compared to its peers statewide.

Mid-range risk ranking within South Dakota

Among South Dakota's 66 counties, Davison ranks in the middle tier for natural disaster risk. Its 39.25 composite score reflects exposure to multiple hazard types that clusters it above the state median.

Higher risk than nearby eastern counties

Davison's risk score of 39.25 significantly outpaces neighboring Deuel County (6.87) and Douglas County (10.40), making it one of the more exposed counties in the eastern region. Day County to the north presents a similar risk profile at 27.64, suggesting localized vulnerability patterns.

Tornadoes and wildfires pose greatest threat

Tornado risk reaches 75.54 in Davison County—the county's most acute hazard—while wildfire risk sits at 68.38, both well above many neighboring counties. Flood risk of 35.91 adds moderate but notable vulnerability across the county.

Secure comprehensive coverage now

Davison County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance that explicitly covers wind and hail damage from tornadoes, as standard policies often exclude these perils. Consider bundling flood insurance and updating coverage annually as climate patterns shift.

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.