CountyScore

Day County

South Dakota · SD

#28 in South Dakota
72.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Day County, South Dakota

Strong performer nationally

Day County's composite score of 72.7 sits well above the national median of 50.0, ranking the county among the more livable places in America. This strong position reflects balanced strengths across housing, health, and tax policy.

Tops South Dakota average

Day County ranks 72.7, outpacing South Dakota's average of 71.3, placing it in the upper quartile of counties statewide. The county combines rural character with economic stability that appeals to many Midwesterners.

Lowest taxes, excellent affordability

Day County leads with an effective tax rate of just 1.030% and a Cost Score of 85.4, featuring a median home value of only $155,100 and rents at $623/month—among the most affordable in the region. Risk Score of 72.4 signals strong economic stability and low financial vulnerability.

Income opportunities remain modest

The Income Score of 24.0 and median household income of $62,270 indicate limited wage growth compared to stronger regional markets. Those seeking six-figure incomes or rapid career advancement may need to look elsewhere.

Ideal for frugal, rural lifestyles

Day County is perfect for people who value rock-bottom living costs, low taxes, and stable rural communities. It's especially suited to retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families seeking economic self-sufficiency over high wages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.3Cost85.4SafetyComing SoonHealth71.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome24Risk72.4WaterComing Soon
🏛73.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.4
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 Day County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marion County
Alabama
72.7
Median income: $50,714
Polk County
Arkansas
72.7
Median income: $49,252
Yuma County
Colorado
72.7
Median income: $60,051
Schley County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $59,647
Wheeler County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $45,262

Deep Dives

Day County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Day County

via TaxByCounty

Day County taxes below the national average

Day County's effective tax rate of 1.030% sits above the U.S. median of 0.84%, placing it in the middle-upper tier nationally. The median tax bill of $1,598 is substantially lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting South Dakota's lower home valuations.

Slightly below South Dakota's average rate

Day County's 1.030% effective rate is close to but marginally below South Dakota's 1.094% state average. The median property tax of $1,598 is noticeably lower than the state median of $1,785, indicating more modest home values in this northeastern county.

Middle ground among regional peers

Day County (1.030%) falls between Davison County's higher rate of 1.243% and Deuel County's lower 0.820%, making it a middle-of-the-road option regionally. Its median tax of $1,598 reflects the balance—lower than Davison but higher than the least-taxed surrounding counties.

Median home nets $1,598 annual tax

A Day County homeowner with the median property value of $155,100 pays approximately $1,598 per year in property taxes at the 1.030% rate. That comes to roughly $133 monthly—comfortable for many rural South Dakota residents.

Check your assessment before paying

Even in lower-tax counties like Day, property assessments can be incorrect, leading to overpayment. If your home's assessed value appears inflated compared to comparable recent sales, filing an appeal with the county assessor could reduce your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Day County

via CostByCounty

Day County punches above affordability class

Day County's 12.0% rent-to-income ratio beats the national median and South Dakota's state average of 13.8%, making it one of the most affordable rental markets in the region. The $623 median monthly rent combined with $62,270 median income creates a housing-friendly environment rare in rural America.

Day ranks among South Dakota's best

With a 12.0% rent-to-income ratio, Day County ranks in the top tier of South Dakota counties for housing affordability, well below the state average of 13.8%. This competitive advantage makes Day a standout for renters seeking maximum wallet relief.

Day County leads the affordability race

Day County's 12% rent-to-income ratio decisively outperforms Davison (14.7%), Deuel (10.1%), and Faulk (14.3%) when measured by affordability burden. At $623/month rent, Day offers the lowest rental cost among its peer counties.

Day's housing economics favor renters

Renters pay just $623 monthly while homeowners invest $791 in ownership costs, with median home values reaching $155,100. Housing consumes only 12% of median household income, well below national stress thresholds.

Day County is rural affordability's hidden gem

If you're seeking a South Dakota county where housing won't strain your budget, Day County delivers genuine relief. It's the region's best option for renters and a strong choice for homebuyers who prioritize affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Day County

via IncomeByCounty

Day County sits modestly below US average

Day County's median household income of $62,270 trails the national median of $74,755 by $12,485, placing it in the lower-middle income tier nationally. Despite this gap, Day County performs better than many rural counties, reflecting a diversified local economy beyond agriculture alone.

Day ranks above average statewide

At $62,270, Day County surpasses South Dakota's state average of $66,926 and ranks in the middle-upper tier among the state's counties. The county's per capita income of $37,817 notably exceeds the state average of $35,667, indicating balanced income distribution across households.

Day outearns most regional competitors

Day County's $62,270 median household income exceeds Fall River ($61,056), Davison ($61,401), and Faulk ($58,000) counties, positioning it as a regional income leader. Only Deuel ($79,556), Douglas ($78,125), and Edmunds ($77,266) counties in the broader region earn notably more.

Strong affordability supports homeownership

Day County boasts a rent-to-income ratio of just 12.0%, well below the 30% affordability threshold and among the best in its region. A median home value of $155,100 remains highly attainable for median-income households, positioning homeownership as a realistic wealth-building strategy.

Day County households positioned for growth

Day County's strong affordability ratio creates space for households to invest beyond housing, whether in education, business, or diversified retirement accounts. Residents should capitalize on low housing costs by redirecting savings toward investment vehicles like IRAs and index funds to accelerate wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Day County

via HealthByCounty

Day County residents enjoy strong longevity

Day County's 78.3-year life expectancy surpasses the U.S. average by about 5.3 years, placing residents in the healthier tier of American counties. With 15.2% reporting poor or fair health—below the national average of roughly 18%—the county demonstrates solid community wellness.

Above average health across South Dakota

At 78.3 years, Day County's life expectancy outpaces South Dakota's state average of 75.4 years by nearly 3 years. The county ranks favorably among the state's 66 counties in health outcomes and longevity.

Day holds its own regionally

Day County's 78.3-year life expectancy matches Davison County (78.5) and exceeds Faulk County (77.2), reflecting strong regional health standings. However, the county has just 37 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, about half Davison's capacity, signaling tighter access to first-line care.

Coverage gaps slightly above state average

Day County's 12.5% uninsured rate runs 1.4 percentage points above South Dakota's 11.1%, meaning more residents lack active coverage. Data on mental health providers is limited, but the county's 37 primary care doctors per 100K suggests residents may need to travel for specialized behavioral health care.

Check your insurance status today

With 1 in 8 Day County residents uninsured, coverage is more critical than ever for family health and financial security. Visit healthcare.gov or call your county health office to explore Medicaid eligibility and marketplace plans available in your area.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Day County

via RiskByCounty

Day County risk slightly above state average

Day County's composite risk score of 27.64 exceeds South Dakota's 26.84 state average by less than one point, indicating risk exposure comparable to the statewide norm. Nationally, this "Very Low" rating reflects manageable but non-negligible disaster vulnerability.

Near-average risk among South Dakota counties

Day County ranks close to the median among South Dakota's 66 counties, with its 27.64 score placing it just slightly above statewide average exposure. This positioning suggests moderate but not exceptional natural disaster vulnerability relative to other counties in the state.

More exposed than most surrounding counties

Day County's 27.64 risk score significantly exceeds those of nearby Edmunds County (6.97) and Deuel County (6.87), making it one of the more vulnerable areas in the northeastern region. Davison County to the south presents comparable risk at 39.25, suggesting a broader vulnerability corridor.

Wildfire and tornado exposure dominate here

Wildfire risk reaches 77.86 in Day County—well above most state peers—making it the county's primary concern, while tornado risk of 40.62 poses secondary but significant threat. Flood risk remains moderate at 19.97, reflecting typical Great Plains precipitation patterns.

Prioritize wildfire and wind protection

Day County homeowners should ensure policies cover wind damage from tornadoes and obtain separate wildfire/brush fire coverage to address the county's elevated exposure. Review property defensibility around your home—clearing dead vegetation and maintaining clearance from structures significantly reduces loss severity.

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.