countyscore
64.8
County Score
Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 90.3Cost of Living 80.3

County Report Card

About Haakon County, South Dakota

Exceeding the national median score

Haakon County earns a composite score of 65.5, which is notably higher than the national median of 50.0. This places the county in a strong position for overall quality of life.

Outpacing the South Dakota average

The county's 65.5 score puts it well ahead of the South Dakota state average of 55.9. It offers a high-performing alternative to the state's typical rural profile.

High safety and low environmental risk

A safety score of 97.5 and a risk score of 90.3 make this one of the most secure places to live. Housing is also highly affordable, reflected in a cost score of 81.9 and a median home value of $153,200.

Infrastructure and school performance

The water score is very low at 13.4, indicating significant infrastructure concerns. School and income scores also trail at 29.1 and 36.5, respectively.

A haven for safety seekers

Haakon County is best suited for those who prioritize personal safety and low-cost homeownership above all else. Its exceptionally high safety and risk scores provide a rare level of peace of mind.

2040608010042.580.397.573.929.149.890.313.431.9Tax42.5Cost80.3Safety97.5Health73.9Schools29.1Income49.8Risk90.3Water13.4Weather31.964.8/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Haakon County DNA

D+overall

How Haakon County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Haakon County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (90.3/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (13.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
42.5-9.5
Cost
80.3+32.3
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
73.9+23.900000000000006
Schools
29.1-24.9
Income
49.8
Risk
90.3+43.3
Water
13.4-44.6
Weather
31.9-24.1
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Haakon County?

Many homeowners in Haakon County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$164,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$584/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$164,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$23,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,625/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Ziebach County
South Dakota
63.7
Stanley County
South Dakota
60.3
Dewey County
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52.5
Jackson County
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Jones County
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Sully County
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Meade County
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Pennington County
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Deep Dives

Haakon County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Haakon County

via TaxByCounty

Haakon County has the lowest tax rate nationwide

At 0.847%, Haakon County claims one of the lowest effective tax rates in America, well below the national median of 1.1%. The median property tax of $1,297 is less than half the national median of $2,690.

South Dakota's most tax-friendly county

Haakon County ranks as South Dakota's lowest-taxed county, with an effective rate of 0.847% compared to the state average of 1.094%. The median annual tax of $1,297 represents one of the smallest burdens statewide.

The region's most tax-efficient option

Haakon County's 0.847% rate undercuts every regional neighbor, including Grant County (0.851%), Hand County (0.903%), and Harding County (0.933%). For budget-conscious homeowners, Haakon offers the most favorable tax environment in its area.

Median home costs just $1,297 yearly

On Haakon County's median home value of $153,200, homeowners pay approximately $1,297 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to roughly $2,059; without one, it drops to $944.

Low rates don't exempt you from appeals

Even in the state's most tax-efficient county, overassessments happen. Reviewing your assessed value against comparable recent sales is a simple step that could recoup money regardless of your county's overall tax climate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Haakon County

via IncomeByCounty

Haakon County income lags nation

Haakon County's median household income of $59,231 sits 20.8% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting a moderate income gap relative to the U.S. average. Per capita income of $35,643 also trails national figures by roughly 7%.

Below-average South Dakota county

Haakon County's median household income falls $7,695 below South Dakota's state average of $66,926, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. Per capita income slightly trails the state average, indicating limited wealth concentration.

Middle ground among peer counties

Haakon County ($59,231) earns more than Gregory County ($52,432) but less than Grant ($73,818), Hamlin ($83,194), and Hanson ($86,375) counties. This positions it as a moderate-income area within its regional context.

Housing costs strain modest budgets

Haakon County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% approaches the 30% affordability threshold, consuming a meaningful share of household income. Combined with below-state-average income, this suggests limited surplus for savings or major financial goals.

Focus on income growth and savings

Haakon County residents benefit from pursuing career advancement, professional certifications, or skill development to increase earning power. Start small with emergency savings and explore low-cost investment vehicles like employer retirement plans to build long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Haakon County

via CrimeByCounty

Haakon County Reports Zero Crime Incidents

Haakon County achieves a perfect safety score of 100.0, reporting no crimes per 100,000 residents in 2022. This is remarkably lower than the national total crime rate of 2,385.5. Two local agencies provided data to support these findings.

Top Tier Safety in South Dakota

Haakon County is one of the safest spots in South Dakota, easily beating the state average safety score of 98.8. While the average South Dakota county deals with 788.1 crimes per 100,000 people, Haakon reports none. It remains a standout for public safety across the plains.

Matching the Region's Safest Counties

Haakon County matches the 0.0 crime rate found in Grant and Hanson counties. It is significantly safer than neighboring Hughes County, where the rate climbs to 1,875.1. This highlights the distinct safety advantage of Haakon's rural setting.

No Reported Violent or Property Incidents

With 0.0 violent and 0.0 property crimes reported per 100,000 residents, the data indicates a very quiet year. These rates mean the reporting agencies handled no incidents that qualified for the federal database. Residents enjoy an exceptionally rare level of documented security.

Keep Haakon County Secure and Safe

Maintaining a perfect score requires continued community awareness and cooperation with local law enforcement. Even in high-safety areas, residents should periodically check window locks and garage doors. Your proactive steps help preserve this peaceful environment.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Haakon County

via WeatherByCounty

High Heat and Arid Plains Conditions

Haakon County averages 47.4°F annually, placing it slightly below the national median temperature. The climate is characterized by high summer peaks and lower-than-average precipitation for the central United States.

One of the State's Hotspots

At 47.4°F, the county is noticeably warmer than the South Dakota average of 45.6°F. It is also significantly drier, receiving only 18.7 inches of annual precipitation compared to the 22.7-inch state norm.

Higher Heat than Eastern Neighbors

Haakon experiences 41 days of 90°F heat, nearly double the 20 days seen in Hand County to the east. This makes Haakon one of the more thermally intense counties in the central South Dakota region.

Extreme Heat and Sharp Winter Chills

Summer dominates with 41 days above 90°F and a July average of 74.7°F. Despite the heat, winters are harsh, bringing 42.8 inches of snow and a January average of 20.8°F.

Focus on Hydration and HVAC Reliability

Residents must plan for prolonged heatwaves, requiring robust cooling systems for the 41 extreme heat days. Xeriscaping is a practical choice given the low 18.7-inch annual rainfall and high evaporation rates.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Haakon County

via SoilByCounty

Markedly Alkaline Soil in Haakon

Haakon County soil is notably alkaline with an average pH of 7.34, which is significantly higher than the state average of 7.05. While specific taxonomic data is limited for this region, the high pH suggests a need for acid-loving plants to receive specialized care.

High Silt and Clay Content

The soil is comprised of 42.4% silt and 35.9% clay, with sand making up only 21.4%. This heavy, fine-textured mix can retain significant nutrients but may become compacted or difficult to work when moisture levels are high.

Low Moisture Retention and Organic Matter

The available water capacity is 0.149 in/in, falling below the state average of 0.182 in/in. With organic matter at 2.34%, the soil is lean compared to state benchmarks, requiring intentional composting to boost its growing potential.

Localized Drainage Needs Investigation

Standardized drainage classes are not fully documented for this county's primary acreage, necessitating on-site percolation tests for builders. The high clay percentage suggests that drainage may be slower than in the sandier counties to the east.

Gardening Success in Zone 4b

In hardiness zone 4b, gardeners should focus on tough, drought-resistant varieties that can handle alkaline conditions. Native grasses and prairie-adapted shrubs are excellent choices for landscaping in this semi-arid environment.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Haakon County

via LawnByCounty

High-Heat Challenges in Haakon County

A lawn difficulty score of 46.5 reflects a demanding climate for Zone 4b turf, trailing the state average of 51.1. High summer temperatures and lower-than-ideal rainfall make consistent lawn care a necessity here.

Forty-One Days of Extreme Heat

Haakon County endures 41 days of heat at or above 90°F, far exceeding the state average of 24 days. Combined with just 18.7 inches of annual precipitation, this heat makes supplemental irrigation vital for lawn survival.

Managing Alkaline Clay Soils

With a pH of 7.34 and a high clay content of 35.9%, your soil is significantly more alkaline and heavy than the national ideal. Adding sulfur or peat moss can help lower the pH to a range where your grass can actually absorb nutrients.

Water Conservation is Key

Despite 17 weeks of drought last year, currently only 3.9% of the county is abnormally dry. Use mulch-mowing to return clippings to the lawn, which helps protect the soil surface from the intense 41 days of annual heat.

Best Grasses for Arid Conditions

In this dry Zone 4b climate, drought-resistant varieties like Tall Fescue or native wheatgrasses perform best. Plan your planting around the typical last frost date of May 11th to give new shoots a head start.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Haakon County's county score?
Haakon County, South Dakota has a composite county score of 64.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Haakon County rank among counties in South Dakota?
Haakon County ranks #16 among all counties in South Dakota on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Haakon County, South Dakota?
The median annual property tax in Haakon County is $1,489, with an effective tax rate of 0.91%. This earns Haakon County a tax score of 42.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Haakon County?
The median household income in Haakon County, South Dakota is $65,625 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Haakon County earns an income score of 49.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Haakon County, South Dakota a good place to live?
Haakon County scores 64.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #16 in South Dakota. The best way to evaluate Haakon County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Haakon County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.