CountyScore

Faulk County

South Dakota · SD

#10 in South Dakota
76.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Faulk County, South Dakota

Strong national livability ranking

Faulk County scores 76.1, well above the national median of 50.0, ranking it among America's more desirable counties. The county demonstrates that rural Great Plains communities can achieve exceptional livability metrics.

Outperforms South Dakota average

At 76.1, Faulk County exceeds the state average of 71.3, placing it in South Dakota's top tier of livable counties. The county punches well above its size in overall quality-of-life rankings.

Lowest taxes and strong economic security

Faulk County leads with the lowest effective tax rate of just 0.762% (Tax Score 80.8) and an exceptional Risk Score of 92.1, signaling superior economic resilience. Housing affordability is outstanding, with a median home value of $124,100 and rent at $692/month.

Limited income growth opportunity

The Income Score of 21.3 and median household income of $58,000 reflect modest earning potential compared to regional competitors. Those seeking rapid career advancement or six-figure incomes should look to stronger labor markets.

Ideal for tax-conscious savers

Faulk County is perfect for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking to minimize tax burden while maintaining economic security. It appeals to those who've accumulated wealth and want to preserve it through low-tax living in a stable rural setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.8Cost85.5SafetyComing SoonHealth71.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.3Risk92.1WaterComing Soon
🏛80.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡92.1
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 Faulk County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pope County
Illinois
76.1
Median income: $62,500
Switzerland County
Indiana
76.1
Median income: $65,148
Choctaw County
Mississippi
76.1
Median income: $48,321
Eddy County
North Dakota
76.1
Median income: $55,389
Sherman County
Oregon
76.1
Median income: $59,500

Deep Dives

Faulk County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Faulk County

via TaxByCounty

Faulk County has one of the nation's lowest rates

Faulk County's effective tax rate of 0.762% is among the lowest in the entire United States, well below the national median of 0.84% and in the bottom 20%. The median annual tax of just $946 is only 35% of the national median of $2,690.

South Dakota's most tax-friendly county

Faulk County ranks as one of South Dakota's lowest-taxed counties with an effective rate of 0.762%, substantially below the state average of 1.094%. Residents enjoy the lowest median tax in the state dataset at just $946 annually.

The region's lowest-tax jurisdiction

Faulk County (0.762%) has the lowest effective tax rate in this entire peer group, even lower than Deuel County (0.820%) and Edmunds County (0.866%). Its $946 median tax is by far the most affordable in the regional comparison.

Median home: just $946 in annual taxes

A Faulk County homeowner with the median property value of $124,100 pays approximately $946 per year in property taxes at the 0.762% rate. That's roughly $79 monthly—the lowest burden among all counties in this dataset.

Low taxes don't eliminate appeal opportunities

Even in tax-advantaged Faulk County, overassessed properties exist on the rolls. Compare your assessed value to recent arm's-length sales of similar homes; if misaligned, an appeal to the county assessor can secure additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Faulk County

via CostByCounty

Faulk faces moderate affordability headwinds

Faulk County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds South Dakota's 13.8% state average, driven by a median household income of $58,000—the second-lowest among these eight counties. The $692 monthly rent is moderate, but lower earnings amplify the proportional housing burden.

Faulk ranks above South Dakota's affordability average

At 14.3%, Faulk County's rent-to-income ratio sits above South Dakota's 13.8% state average, indicating above-average affordability stress. The county's below-median income makes housing costs feel disproportionately heavy compared to higher-earning peer counties.

Faulk's modest rent masks income challenges

Faulk County's $692 rent is among the lowest in this cohort, but the $58,000 median income creates a 14.3% rent-to-income ratio that exceeds Day (12%), Deuel (10.1%), and Edmunds (13.7%). Low rent alone doesn't guarantee affordability without adequate income.

Faulk households juggle modest incomes and rents

Renters allocate $692 monthly while homeowners invest $695 in ownership costs, with median home values at just $124,100. Housing consumes 14.3% of median household income, leaving Faulk residents with modest cushion for unexpected expenses.

Faulk suits budget-conscious homebuyers most

Faulk County offers low home values ($124,100 median) and modest rents, making it attractive for property buyers with limited capital. Renters seeking better proportional affordability should explore Day County, while those with higher incomes might find Deuel or Edmunds more comfortable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Faulk County

via IncomeByCounty

Faulk County faces national income gap

Faulk County's median household income of $58,000 falls $16,755 below the national median of $74,755, placing it among the lower-income counties nationally. This significant gap reflects limited high-wage employment opportunities and an economy dependent on agriculture and seasonal work.

Faulk ranks in South Dakota's bottom tier

At $58,000, Faulk County trails South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by over $8,900, ranking it in the lower quartile of the state's 66 counties. The per capita income of $36,556 aligns with state average, indicating that income is reasonably distributed despite overall lower household earnings.

Faulk among the region's lowest earners

Faulk County's $58,000 median household income ranks second-lowest in the region, exceeding only Dewey County ($57,928) while trailing all other comparable counties. The earnings gap versus high-performing peers like Deuel ($79,556) exceeds $21,000, underscoring significant economic challenges.

Housing remains affordable despite low income

Faulk County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.3% provides reasonable affordability, though the underlying income level limits overall financial flexibility. The median home value of $124,100 is among the region's lowest, supporting homeownership access but offering limited appreciation potential for wealth building.

Build economic resilience in Faulk County

Faulk County households should invest in education and skills training to increase earning potential and narrow the income gap with regional peers and national standards. Establish a solid financial foundation through budgeting and emergency savings, then explore career advancement, entrepreneurship, or relocation opportunities to unlock higher income potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Faulk County

via HealthByCounty

Faulk County residents live above average

Faulk County's 77.2-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 73 years by 4.2 years, reflecting solid community health. With 15.8% reporting poor or fair health, the county performs slightly better than the national average, indicating reasonably managed chronic disease.

Above South Dakota's health baseline

At 77.2 years, Faulk County's life expectancy surpasses South Dakota's state average of 75.4 years by 1.8 years. The county ranks in the middle tier of South Dakota's 66 counties in health outcomes, suggesting balanced healthcare access and community wellness.

Faulk in the middle of the pack

Faulk's 77.2-year life expectancy trails the highest performers (Deuel at 79.2, Douglas at 80.9, Edmunds at 79.1) but exceeds Fall River (72.8) and Dewey (56.7). With 47 primary care providers per 100K, the county offers moderate care access, better than Day County (37) but less robust than Davison (81).

Coverage near state average

Faulk County's 10.7% uninsured rate sits just below South Dakota's 11.1% average, meaning most residents maintain health insurance. Data on mental health providers is limited, but the county's 47 primary care physicians per 100K provide reasonable frontline care capacity for community needs.

Ensure you stay insured

About 1 in 10 Faulk County residents lack health coverage—ensure you're not among them by verifying your insurance status at healthcare.gov. If you're uninsured or face coverage gaps, contact your local health department to explore Medicaid and marketplace options that keep you connected to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Faulk County

via RiskByCounty

Faulk County among lowest-risk nationally

Faulk County's composite risk score of 7.95 sits far below South Dakota's 26.84 state average, placing it among America's safest counties. This "Very Low" rating reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Third-safest county in South Dakota

Faulk County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in South Dakota, with its 7.95 composite score placing it in the top tier for safety statewide. Only Deuel County (6.87) and Edmunds County (6.97) offer comparable disaster protection.

Safest in north-central South Dakota

Faulk County's 7.95 risk score makes it one of the region's safest options, slightly outperforming neighboring Edmunds County (6.97) and vastly surpassing Dewey County (78.72) to the northwest. Day County (27.64) to the east presents considerably higher exposure.

Wildfire presents minimal concern

Wildfire risk of 67.53 is Faulk County's most elevated hazard, though it remains moderate compared to western counties. All other risks—tornado (21.12), flood (6.84), and earthquake (10.56)—fall well below state and national averages.

Standard coverage provides good protection

Faulk County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate coverage without additional riders. Focus on maintaining basic property safety rather than purchasing premium disaster 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.