CountyScore

Douglas County

South Dakota · SD

#21 in South Dakota
73.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Douglas County, South Dakota

Well above national livability median

Douglas County scores 73.4, solidly surpassing the national median of 50.0 and demonstrating strong overall livability. The county ranks among America's more desirable places to live, combining economic opportunity with affordability.

Outperforms South Dakota average

At 73.4, Douglas County exceeds the state average of 71.3, placing it in South Dakota's upper tier of livable counties. The county punches above its weight in economic and quality-of-life metrics.

Strong income and economic security

Douglas County boasts a median household income of $78,125 (Income Score 34.4) and an outstanding Risk Score of 89.6, reflecting genuine economic resilience and opportunity. Health outcomes score a solid 73.8, and housing remains affordable at $125,000 median home value.

Rent pressures and moderate taxes

Median gross rent of $864/month runs slightly higher than some rural peers, and the effective tax rate of 1.173% leaves some room for improvement. These factors, while not severe, temper what is otherwise a strong livability profile.

Suits career-focused families

Douglas County appeals to working families and professionals seeking solid incomes and economic stability combined with small-town living. It's an excellent choice for those willing to pay modest rent for genuine employment opportunity and community resilience.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.3Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth73.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.4Risk89.6WaterComing Soon
🏛69.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89.6
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 Douglas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lemhi County
Idaho
73.4
Median income: $52,057
DeKalb County
Indiana
73.4
Median income: $70,080
Sullivan County
Missouri
73.4
Median income: $55,500
Antelope County
Nebraska
73.4
Median income: $63,750
Grant County
Oregon
73.4
Median income: $59,800

Deep Dives

Douglas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Douglas County

via TaxByCounty

Douglas rates above the national norm

Douglas County's effective tax rate of 1.173% exceeds the U.S. median of 0.84%, placing it in the upper third nationally. The median annual tax of $1,466 is roughly 45% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting South Dakota's lower property values.

Above South Dakota's average

Douglas County's 1.173% effective rate runs above South Dakota's 1.094% state average, making it a higher-taxed county regionally. Residents pay a median of $1,466 annually versus the state median of $1,785.

Mid-range in regional tax landscape

Douglas County (1.173%) sits between higher-taxed Davison (1.243%) and Dewey (1.338%) and lower-taxed Deuel (0.820%) and Edmunds (0.866%). Its $1,466 median tax reflects modest home values of $125,000 in this rural county.

Median home: $1,466 in annual taxes

A Douglas County homeowner with the median property value of $125,000 pays approximately $1,466 per year in property taxes at the 1.173% rate. That equals roughly $122 monthly, manageable for most households.

Assessment errors are worth investigating

At Douglas County's 1.173% rate, overassessment mistakes impact your wallet more than in lower-tax counties. Take time to verify your home's assessed value against recent comparable sales; an appeal could reduce your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Douglas County

via CostByCounty

Douglas balances strong income with moderate costs

Douglas County's 13.3% rent-to-income ratio sits just below South Dakota's 13.8% state average, despite carrying the second-highest median household income of $78,125 in this cohort. The $864 monthly rent is higher than average, but strong local earnings keep the proportional burden manageable.

Douglas ranks among South Dakota's better markets

At 13.3%, Douglas County's rent-to-income ratio edges below the state average of 13.8%, placing it in the more affordable half of South Dakota counties. The county's strong median income of $78,125 helps offset its higher rental costs.

Douglas commands higher rent, offset by higher income

Douglas County's $864 rent is the highest among these eight counties, but its $78,125 median income keeps the overall burden at 13.3%—better than Davison, Dewey, and Faulk. This suggests Douglas offers value for higher-earning households willing to accept premium rental prices.

Douglas rewards earned income with affordability

Renters allocate $864 monthly while homeowners invest $712 in ownership costs, with median home values at just $125,000—the second-lowest in this group. Housing consumes 13.3% of household income, making Douglas workable for households earning above the county median.

Douglas suits higher-income relocators

Douglas County works best for relocators earning above $78,000 who can absorb the region's highest rents while maintaining healthy affordability ratios. Compare Douglas to Deuel County if you prioritize absolute lowest costs, or Edmunds if you want mid-range balance.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Douglas County

via IncomeByCounty

Douglas County exceeds national income benchmark

Douglas County's median household income of $78,125 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $3,370, placing it firmly in the upper-income tier nationally. For a rural South Dakota county, this performance demonstrates economic strength and diversified employment opportunities.

Douglas ranks in South Dakota's top tier

At $78,125, Douglas County significantly outearns South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by over $11,000, ranking it among the state's strongest counties. The per capita income of $37,172 aligns closely with state average, indicating broadly distributed household earning power rather than concentrated wealth.

Douglas competes with regional income leaders

Douglas County's $78,125 median household income trails only Deuel County ($79,556) and closely matches Edmunds County ($77,266) in the region. The county ranks solidly above Day, Davison, Fall River, Faulk, and Dewey counties, positioning it as a secondary economic hub.

Strong income-to-housing balance supports savings

Douglas County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% remains comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, freeing household resources for savings and investment. The median home value of $125,000 is the lowest among comparable high-income counties, creating exceptional homeownership value for median earners.

Douglas County residents should invest aggressively

With above-average incomes and exceptional housing affordability, Douglas County households are well-positioned to build significant wealth through disciplined investing. Focus on tax-advantaged retirement accounts, diversified stock portfolios, and possibly real estate investment to compound earnings and build multigenerational financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Douglas County

via HealthByCounty

Douglas County leads in longevity

Douglas County residents live to 80.9 years on average—more than 7.9 years longer than the U.S. average of 73 years. Just 14.6% report poor or fair health, among the best rates nationally and reflecting exceptional wellness outcomes.

South Dakota's healthiest county

At 80.9 years, Douglas County's life expectancy ranks at or near the top of South Dakota's 66 counties, outpacing the state average of 75.4 years by 5.5 years. The county represents a gold standard for health outcomes in the region.

Douglas dominates regional health metrics

Douglas's 80.9-year life expectancy exceeds every neighboring county in this group, including Davison (78.5), Deuel (79.2), and Edmunds (79.1), marking it as the region's health leader. With 35 primary care providers per 100K and matching mental health capacity, the county offers balanced care access.

Strong coverage supports strong outcomes

Douglas County's 12.8% uninsured rate sits slightly above South Dakota's 11.1% average, yet the county maintains the highest life expectancy in this group. The county's 35 mental health providers per 100K ensure behavioral health support complements primary care in a cohesive health ecosystem.

Protect Douglas's health advantage

Even in South Dakota's healthiest county, coverage gaps exist—1 in 8 residents lack insurance. Secure your health today at healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to enroll in Medicaid or marketplace coverage that keeps you connected to Douglas's excellent healthcare network.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Douglas County

via RiskByCounty

Douglas County offers minimal disaster risk

Douglas County's composite risk score of 10.40 sits well below South Dakota's 26.84 state average, placing it among the nation's safest counties. The "Very Low" rating reflects genuine protection from most major natural hazards.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

Douglas County ranks in the lowest tier among South Dakota's 66 counties for overall natural disaster risk, with its 10.40 score placing it in the top tier of safety. Only a handful of South Dakota counties offer comparable low-risk profiles.

Safer than most eastern region peers

Douglas County's 10.40 risk score significantly undercuts Davison County (39.25) and Day County (27.64) to the north, making it one of the region's safer options. Only Deuel County (6.87) nearby presents notably lower risk.

Wildfire remains modest concern

Wildfire risk of 53.85 is Douglas County's most elevated hazard, though it remains moderate compared to western counties. Tornado (37.09) and flood (10.46) risks both fall below state averages, with earthquake risk minimal at 19.97.

Standard coverage typically sufficient

Douglas County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents. Consider a wildfire rider as a modest insurance addition rather than premium coverage, and maintain basic fire safety around your property.

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.