CountyScore

Fall River County

South Dakota · SD

#50 in South Dakota
68.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Fall River County, South Dakota

Above-average, but with limits

Fall River County scores 68.8, exceeding the national median of 50.0 yet lagging behind several regional neighbors. The county offers solid livability with some notable constraints.

Slightly below state average

At 68.8, Fall River County falls just below South Dakota's average of 71.3, placing it in the middle range of the state's counties. The county holds steady but faces competitive pressures from stronger performers.

Moderate tax and housing affordability

Fall River County offers a competitive effective tax rate of 1.064% (Tax Score 72.3) and reasonable housing costs, with a median home value of $176,300. The county maintains a balanced cost structure for residents.

Income and health gaps emerge

The Income Score of 23.2 and median household income of just $61,056 limit economic opportunity, while the Health Score of 65.8 trails state peers. These two dimensions pull the county's overall livability down relative to stronger counties.

Adequate for retirees and remote workers

Fall River County suits retirees with stable pensions and remote workers not dependent on local employment. It's less ideal for families seeking strong wages or families prioritizing robust health care access.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.3Cost79.9SafetyComing SoonHealth65.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.2Risk69.1WaterComing Soon
🏛72.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡69.1
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 Fall River County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marshall County
Alabama
68.8
Median income: $60,946
Independence County
Arkansas
68.8
Median income: $56,009
Habersham County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $65,622
Hancock County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $33,182
Appanoose County
Iowa
68.8
Median income: $51,146

Deep Dives

Fall River County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fall River County

via TaxByCounty

Fall River's rate slightly above average

Fall River County's effective tax rate of 1.064% sits above the U.S. median of 0.84%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. The median annual tax of $1,876 remains well below the national median of $2,690 due to South Dakota's lower home values.

Slightly below South Dakota's average

Fall River County's 1.064% effective rate is marginally below South Dakota's 1.094% state average, making it fairly typical statewide. Residents pay a median of $1,876 annually, which is just above the state median of $1,785.

Middle-ground in regional comparison

Fall River County (1.064%) sits between Day County (1.030%) on the lower end and Davison (1.243%) on the higher end, making it a regional middle ground. Its $1,876 median tax is the second-highest among these peer counties.

Median home: roughly $1,876 yearly

A Fall River County homeowner with the median property value of $176,300 pays approximately $1,876 per year in property taxes at the 1.064% rate. That's about $156 monthly, fairly representative for the state.

Don't assume your assessment is accurate

Fall River County residents should verify their home's assessed value against recent comparable sales, as overassessment is common even in average-tax counties. A reassessment appeal can uncover and correct errors that reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fall River County

via CostByCounty

Fall River faces significant affordability pressure

Fall River County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these eight counties and substantially exceeds South Dakota's 13.8% state average. The $866 monthly rent combined with a median household income of just $61,056 creates notable housing stress for renters.

Fall River ranks among South Dakota's priciest markets

At 17.0%, Fall River County's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds South Dakota's 13.8% state average, placing it among the state's most affordability-challenged counties. This elevated burden reflects both higher-than-average rents and below-average incomes.

Fall River demands the highest rent-to-income sacrifice

Fall River County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds every other county in this analysis—Dewey (14.8%) is the next closest. With $866 monthly rent and only $61,056 median income, Fall River renters allocate more of their earnings to housing than any peer county.

Fall River puts housing costs front and center

Renters allocate $866 monthly while homeowners invest $849, with median home values at $176,300—among the highest in this cohort. Housing consumes 17% of median household income, leaving Fall River households with limited flexibility for savings and other expenses.

Fall River requires careful financial planning

Fall River County's high rent-to-income ratio makes it challenging for renters; homebuyers may find better value here, but incomes don't easily support the region's housing costs. Relocators should strongly consider Day, Deuel, or Davison counties for superior affordability before choosing Fall River.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fall River County

via IncomeByCounty

Fall River County trails national income standard

Fall River County's median household income of $61,056 falls $13,699 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle income tier nationally. This gap is typical for rural South Dakota counties with economies rooted in agriculture and small manufacturing.

Fall River ranks below South Dakota average

At $61,056, Fall River County trails South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by nearly $6,000, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. The per capita income of $36,268 closely aligns with the state average of $35,667, suggesting income is fairly distributed across households.

Fall River among the lower-earning counties

Fall River County's $61,056 median household income exceeds only Faulk ($58,000) and Dewey ($57,928) among comparable counties, placing it in the regional lower tier. The county lags all high-earning neighbors including Deuel ($79,556), Douglas ($78,125), and Edmunds ($77,266).

Housing affordability strained by income levels

Fall River County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% approaches the 30% affordability threshold more closely than most comparable counties, signaling tighter household budgets. The median home value of $176,300 is relatively high for the county's income level, limiting homeownership accessibility for median-income households.

Focus on income growth and financial planning

Fall River County residents should prioritize workforce development and career advancement to increase household earnings and reduce affordability pressure. Start with a detailed budget and emergency fund, then explore skill-building opportunities and side income to strengthen financial resilience and savings capacity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fall River County

via HealthByCounty

Fall River County lags on longevity

Fall River County's 72.8-year life expectancy falls slightly below the U.S. average of 73 years, marking a significant health gap for a rural county. With 16.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces above-average chronic disease and wellness challenges.

Below South Dakota's state average

At 72.8 years, Fall River County's life expectancy trails South Dakota's state average of 75.4 years by 2.6 years. Among South Dakota's 66 counties, Fall River ranks toward the bottom, signaling persistent health access and lifestyle challenges.

Fall River significantly behind peers

Fall River's 72.8-year life expectancy lags all neighboring counties in this analysis—Faulk County (77.2), Edmunds County (79.1), and Deuel County (79.2)—by 4-6 years. Despite having 69 primary care providers per 100K, the county struggles to translate provider supply into better population health outcomes.

Coverage and specialized care available

Fall River County's 12.8% uninsured rate sits above South Dakota's average, yet the county boasts 636 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding any peer county and likely reflecting regional mental health infrastructure. This capacity suggests behavioral health needs are recognized but may signal underlying mental health and substance use challenges.

Coverage is the first step

With 1 in 8 Fall River residents uninsured, enrolling in health insurance is critical to accessing the county's strong mental health and primary care resources. Visit healthcare.gov or call your health department to apply for Medicaid or marketplace coverage and connect with care that can improve your health today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fall River County

via RiskByCounty

Fall River County exceeds state average risk

Fall River County's composite risk score of 30.92 exceeds South Dakota's 26.84 state average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of statewide vulnerability. Despite a "Very Low" national rating, this southwestern county faces above-average exposure.

Above-average risk among state counties

Fall River County ranks in the upper half of South Dakota's 66 counties for natural disaster risk, with its 30.92 score reflecting notably elevated exposure compared to state median. This positioning suggests concentrated vulnerability from specific hazard types.

More exposed than northern neighbors

Fall River County's 30.92 risk score significantly exceeds nearby Faulk County (7.95) and Edmunds County (6.97) to the north, though remains lower than Dewey County (78.72) to the northwest. Its southwestern location exposes it to distinct hazard patterns.

Wildfire and earthquake threaten Fall River

Wildfire risk reaches 93.77 in Fall River County—the state's highest—making it the county's primary concern, while earthquake risk of 35.15 ranks elevated for South Dakota. Flood risk of 41.54 adds a secondary but notable vulnerability.

Comprehensive wildfire coverage essential

Fall River County residents face the state's most severe wildfire risk at 93.77 and must prioritize comprehensive coverage for this hazard. Additionally, given the elevated earthquake risk, verify that your homeowners policy covers earthquake damage or obtain separate earthquake insurance.

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.