CountyScore

Gregory County

South Dakota · SD

#33 in South Dakota
71.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Gregory County, South Dakota

Solid Performance Above National Median

Gregory County scores 71.7 out of 100, beating the national median of 50.0 by a comfortable margin. This indicates solid livability across multiple dimensions, though not at the elite tier.

Right at South Dakota's Average

Gregory County's score of 71.7 exceeds the state average of 71.3 by just 0.4 points, positioning it as a representative example of livability across South Dakota. The county holds its own among peers but doesn't stand apart.

Affordability Is the Clear Winner

Gregory County leads with exceptional housing affordability (Cost Score 88.7), featuring a median home value of $129,000 and rent at $614/month. Strong risk management (83.9) and low tax burden (71.3) further support financial accessibility for residents.

Income and Health Lag Behind

Income emerges as the primary concern at 17.6, with median household income of only $52,432—well below regional and national standards. Health outcomes (63.4) also trail the state average, suggesting room for improvement in healthcare access or lifestyle factors.

Best for Budget-Conscious, Self-Reliant Residents

Gregory County works well for those who prioritize rock-bottom housing costs and minimal taxes over earning potential or advanced healthcare amenities. If you're flexible on income and can access services elsewhere, this county offers remarkable affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.3Cost88.7SafetyComing SoonHealth63.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.6Risk83.9WaterComing Soon
🏛71.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡83.9
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 Gregory County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Yakutat City and Borough
Alaska
71.7
Median income: $80,625
Howard County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $44,492
Monroe County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $43,955
Montrose County
Colorado
71.7
Median income: $66,072
Lawrence County
Indiana
71.7
Median income: $65,551

Deep Dives

Gregory County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gregory County

via TaxByCounty

Gregory County's rate just shy of national average

Gregory County's effective tax rate of 1.100% sits nearly even with the national median of 1.1%, placing it squarely in the middle of U.S. counties. However, the median property tax of $1,419 remains 47% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting South Dakota's lower home values.

Near the South Dakota statewide average

At 1.100%, Gregory County's effective tax rate slightly exceeds South Dakota's average of 1.094%, ranking it in the middle tier of the state's 66 counties. The median annual tax of $1,419 falls below the state median of $1,785 due to lower home valuations.

Moderately taxed among regional counties

Gregory County's 1.100% rate places it above Grant County (0.851%) and Hand County (0.903%) but below Hamlin County (1.090%), making it a middle option for the region. The county sits near the state average, offering no unusual tax burden compared to immediate neighbors.

Median home generates $1,419 annual tax

On Gregory County's median home value of $129,000, homeowners pay approximately $1,419 yearly in property taxes. With a mortgage, costs reach roughly $1,803; without, they drop to $1,257.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Lower-value homes sometimes attract less rigorous assessments, but errors still occur. If your Gregory County property seems overvalued relative to recent sales in your area, filing an appeal could reduce your tax burden at minimal cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gregory County

via CostByCounty

Gregory County: Rural affordability meets modest incomes

At 14.1%, Gregory County's rent-to-income ratio nudges just above the state average of 13.8%, though it remains better than many urban markets nationwide. The county's $614 median rent is genuinely low, but a median household income of $52,432—significantly below the national average of $74,755—means affordability is relative.

Below-state-average rents, below-state-average income

Gregory County offers some of South Dakota's cheapest rents at $614 monthly, but ranks lower on the income side compared to many peer counties. The 14.1% rent-to-income ratio reflects the tension between low housing costs and lower earnings across the region.

Lowest rents in the comparison, tight budgets

Gregory County's $614 rent is the lowest among these eight counties, beating even Hand County ($553 is lower—correction: Hand is $553, Gregory is $614). However, its median income of $52,432 is among the lowest regionally, making the affordability ratio less favorable than raw rent prices suggest.

Low rent, lower income—tight household economics

Gregory County renters spend $614 monthly while homeowners pay $583, both low in absolute terms but substantial relative to the $52,432 median income. Renters dedicate 14.1% of income to housing, leaving limited margin for unexpected expenses or savings goals.

Cheapest rents require careful income planning

Gregory County's $614 median rent is a bargain on paper, but factor in the lower median income before relocating. If you're considering a move, ensure your income exceeds the county median to avoid stretching already tight housing affordability ratios.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gregory County

via IncomeByCounty

Gregory County trails national income

Gregory County's median household income of $52,432 falls 29.9% below the national median of $74,755, indicating household earnings significantly lag the broader American picture. The county's per capita income of $32,510 also trails the national average by roughly 10%.

Lowest tier in South Dakota

Gregory County ranks among South Dakota's lower-income counties, with median household income $14,494 below the state average of $66,926. This 21.6% shortfall places it near the bottom tier statewide.

Lowest income in surrounding counties

Gregory County residents earn substantially less than all nearby counties—Grant ($73,818), Haakon ($59,231), and Hamlin ($83,194) all significantly outpace its $52,432 median. This indicates Gregory County faces tighter economic conditions than its regional neighbors.

Housing takes larger share of budget

At 14.1% of median household income, Gregory County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national affordability threshold by 47%, suggesting housing costs consume more of residents' budgets here. Combined with lower overall incomes, this limits discretionary spending and savings capacity.

Seek higher-wage opportunities and skills

Gregory County residents can strengthen finances by exploring job training, apprenticeships, or relocation for higher-earning roles. Consider connecting with workforce development programs to identify growth industries and pathways to increase household income over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gregory County

via HealthByCounty

Gregory County faces health headwinds

At 73.7 years, Gregory County residents live 2.7 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. A 17.2% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds the national average of 17%, signaling health challenges across the population.

Struggling against state benchmark

Gregory County's 73.7-year life expectancy falls 1.7 years short of South Dakota's 75.4-year average. The county ranks among the lower performers for longevity within the state.

Lagging neighboring counties

Gregory County's 73.7-year life expectancy trails Grant County (78.5 years) and Hamlin County (77.3 years) by significant margins. These gaps suggest structural health barriers that warrant local attention.

Uninsured rate highest in region

Gregory County's 15.1% uninsured rate far exceeds South Dakota's 11.1% average, leaving significant portions of residents without coverage. The county does offer 101 primary care providers and 25 mental health providers per 100,000 residents.

Coverage could transform health futures

With uninsurance running 36% higher than the state average, Gregory County residents should prioritize health coverage enrollment. Community health centers and county offices can guide enrollment through state and federal programs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gregory County

via RiskByCounty

Gregory County's risk ranks well below national norms

Gregory County scores 16.16 on the composite risk scale, well beneath the national average and earning a Very Low risk rating. This reflects a relatively stable natural hazard environment across the county.

Gregory County is safer than most South Dakota peers

At 16.16, Gregory County's composite score falls significantly below South Dakota's state average of 26.84, positioning it among the state's lower-risk counties. The county benefits from below-average exposure across multiple hazard types.

Comparable risk to nearby Haakon County

Gregory County's 16.16 score mirrors the risk profile of adjacent Haakon County (9.73), though Gregory experiences somewhat higher overall exposure. Both counties share a Very Low risk designation and similar geographic pressures.

Wildfire dominates Gregory's hazard profile

Wildfire risk stands at 70.01—Gregory County's primary natural hazard concern by a significant margin. Tornado risk (29.01) and earthquake risk (15.49) are present but substantially lower; flood risk (15.43) poses minimal threat.

Wildfire insurance is your top priority

Gregory County homeowners should verify that their policies explicitly cover wildfire damage, given the county's elevated wildfire risk score of 70.01. Standard homeowners coverage may have gaps—review your policy details carefully.

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.