CountyScore

Dewey County

South Dakota · SD

#65 in South Dakota
58.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Dewey County, South Dakota

Below-average livability nationwide

Dewey County scores 58.2, above the national median of 50.0 but only moderately, indicating livability challenges relative to much of the country. The county faces structural headwinds that limit its competitive position.

Struggles compared to state peers

At 58.2, Dewey County ranks well below South Dakota's average of 71.3, making it the weakest performer in this regional cohort. The county grapples with economic and health barriers that set it apart from its neighbors.

Housing affordability shines

Dewey County's Cost Score of 86.3 is exceptional, with a median home value of just $75,400 and median rent of $714/month—the lowest housing costs in this group. For those prioritizing minimal housing expenses, it offers genuine opportunity.

Health and income concerns

The county's Health Score of 38.8 is significantly low, and the Risk Score of just 21.3 signals serious economic vulnerability and instability. Combined with an Income Score of 21.2 and median household income of $57,928, residents face meaningful health and financial barriers.

Only for resilient budget hunters

Dewey County is suitable primarily for people with minimal income requirements, strong personal resilience, and commitment to remote work or self-employment. It's not ideal for families dependent on local job markets or those prioritizing robust health services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.6Cost86.3SafetyComing SoonHealth38.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.2Risk21.3WaterComing Soon
🏛64.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤38.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡21.3
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 Dewey County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska
58.2
Median income: $90,625
Sullivan County
New Hampshire
58.2
Median income: $75,929
Chenango County
New York
58.2
Median income: $62,093
Niagara County
New York
58.2
Median income: $67,809
Richmond County
New York
58.2
Median income: $98,290

Deep Dives

Dewey County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dewey County

via TaxByCounty

Dewey County's highest rate among peers

Dewey County's effective tax rate of 1.338% is among the highest nationally, surpassing the U.S. median of 0.84% by a significant margin. However, the median tax bill of just $1,009 remains far below the national median of $2,690, due to very modest median home values of only $75,400.

South Dakota's steepest tax rate

Dewey County leads South Dakota with an effective tax rate of 1.338%, well above the state average of 1.094%. Despite this high rate, the modest median home value of $75,400 means residents pay only $1,009 in median annual taxes.

Highest rate in the regional comparison

Dewey County (1.338%) has the highest effective tax rate among all its peer counties, exceeding Davison (1.243%), Fall River (1.064%), and others in the dataset. The $1,009 median tax remains affordable only because home values are substantially lower.

Median home costs $1,009 yearly in taxes

A homeowner with Dewey County's median property value of $75,400 pays approximately $1,009 per year in property taxes at the 1.338% rate. That's about $84 monthly—low in absolute dollars, but the county applies the steepest rate per dollar of value.

High rates make assessments worth checking

With Dewey County's steep 1.338% effective rate, even small errors in property assessment compound quickly. If your home was recently assessed higher than comparable nearby sales, a formal appeal could yield meaningful savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dewey County

via CostByCounty

Dewey faces steeper housing affordability challenges

Dewey County's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the national median and South Dakota's 13.8% state average, driven by a median household income of $57,928—the lowest among these eight counties. While the $714 monthly rent is moderate, lower incomes intensify the proportional housing burden.

Dewey ranks among South Dakota's tougher markets

With a 14.8% rent-to-income ratio, Dewey County sits above South Dakota's 13.8% state average, indicating above-average affordability stress for renters. The county's lower median income makes housing costs feel proportionally heavier than in higher-earning peer counties.

Dewey struggles relative to peer counties

Dewey's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio places it among the highest in this cohort, exceeded only by Fall River (17.0%). While Dewey's home values ($75,400) are the lowest in the group, the county's low median income of $57,928 creates disproportionate rental stress.

Dewey residents allocate significant income to housing

Renters dedicate $714 monthly to housing while homeowners invest $618 in ownership costs, with median home values at just $75,400. Housing consumes 14.8% of the county's median household income, leaving modest cushion for other critical expenses.

Dewey works best for homebuyers, not renters

Dewey County offers the lowest home values in this analysis, making it attractive for budget-conscious buyers willing to accept modest property prices. Renters should explore more affordable alternatives like Day County before committing to Dewey.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dewey County

via IncomeByCounty

Dewey County faces significant income challenges

Dewey County's median household income of $57,928 falls $16,827 below the national median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-earning counties in the nation. The county's per capita income of just $21,940—far below the national standard—reflects structural economic challenges requiring targeted investment and opportunity building.

Dewey ranks near the bottom statewide

At $57,928, Dewey County ranks in the bottom quartile of South Dakota's 66 counties, trailing the state average of $66,926 by nearly $9,000. The significantly low per capita income of $21,940 versus the state average of $35,667 indicates income concentration and limited earning opportunities across the population.

Dewey lags behind all neighboring counties

Dewey County's $57,928 median household income falls below every comparable county in the region, including Faulk ($58,000), Fall River ($61,056), and Davison ($61,401). This gap underscores the county's economic vulnerability and the need for workforce development and new business recruitment.

Housing affordability stretched by low incomes

Dewey County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.8% remains technically affordable, but this masks the underlying challenge: median household income is too low to support robust savings and investment. The median home value of $75,400 is the lowest in the region, reflecting both affordability and limited property appreciation potential.

Build pathways to economic mobility

Dewey County residents should prioritize education and skill-building to increase earning potential and close the income gap with neighboring counties and national averages. Start with community resources for job training, career counseling, and financial literacy to create a foundation for household income growth and long-term economic security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Dewey County

via HealthByCounty

Dewey County faces severe health crisis

Dewey County's life expectancy of 56.7 years is catastrophically low—16.3 years below the U.S. average of 73 years and nearly 19 years shorter than the national median. With 26.4% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county faces extraordinary health challenges that demand urgent action.

South Dakota's most vulnerable county

Dewey County's 56.7-year life expectancy is more than 18 years below South Dakota's state average of 75.4 years, representing a profound health emergency. The county ranks last among South Dakota's 66 counties and signals a population experiencing severe poverty, limited healthcare access, and chronic disease burdens.

Dewey faces isolation and hardship

Dewey County's 56.7-year life expectancy trails every neighboring county by more than 15 years; Faulk County (77.2) and Fall River County (72.8) both substantially outlive Dewey residents. The county's 19 primary care providers per 100,000—the fewest in this group—compounds healthcare access barriers for a vulnerable population.

Uninsured rate reflects deep poverty

Dewey County's 17.6% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties and 58% above South Dakota's average of 11.1%. Limited primary care (19 per 100K) and modest mental health capacity (77 per 100K) leave residents with few local options for addressing the chronic conditions driving premature mortality.

Life-saving coverage starts here

In Dewey County, getting insured is urgent—nearly 1 in 5 residents lack coverage, deepening health risks in a community already facing a mortality crisis. Contact your local health department immediately to apply for Medicaid, or call 211 for help navigating insurance, preventive care, and community health resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dewey County

via RiskByCounty

Dewey County faces elevated wildfire risk

Dewey County's composite risk score of 78.72 substantially exceeds South Dakota's 26.84 state average, ranking it among the state's most hazard-exposed counties nationally. Despite a "Relatively Low" rating, this represents South Dakota's third-highest composite vulnerability.

Highest-risk county in South Dakota

Dewey County ranks first among South Dakota's 66 counties for overall natural disaster risk, with its 78.72 score dramatically surpassing statewide average. This county faces exposure levels three times the state median.

Dramatically riskier than surrounding areas

Dewey County's 78.72 risk score vastly exceeds those of neighboring Faulk County (7.95), Edmunds County (6.97), and Day County (27.64), making it an isolated high-risk zone. Fall River County to the south (30.92) remains significantly less vulnerable.

Wildfire dominates Dewey County hazards

Wildfire risk reaches 82.98 in Dewey County—the highest in the state—making it by far the county's most pressing natural disaster threat. Tornado risk of 24.40 and flood risk of 17.37 are minimal by comparison, but wildfire exposure demands immediate attention.

Wildfire insurance essential here

Dewey County residents must secure comprehensive wildfire coverage as a non-negotiable priority given the county's 82.98 wildfire risk score. Implement defensible space around your home immediately—remove dead trees, thin vegetation, and clear roof gutters—as these actions reduce loss severity more than any insurance policy.

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.