CountyScore

Haakon County

South Dakota · SD

#7 in South Dakota
76.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Haakon County, South Dakota

Among America's Better Counties

Haakon County scores 76.5 out of 100, placing it well above the national median of 50.0 and in the upper quartile of American counties. This strong performance indicates reliably high livability across most metrics.

Top-Tier South Dakota Living

With a score of 76.5, Haakon County outperforms the South Dakota average of 71.3 by over 5 points. The county ranks among the state's best, offering residents above-average quality of life.

Exceptional Risk Resilience and Affordability

Haakon County shines with the highest risk score (90.3) among its strengths, indicating exceptional economic and environmental stability. Housing remains highly affordable with a median home value of $153,200 and effective tax rate of 0.847%, creating a secure financial foundation.

Income Potential Is Modest

Income ranks as the lowest dimension at 22.1, with median household income of $59,231 below state and national averages. Residents seeking significant income growth may need to look beyond this county's employment landscape.

Perfect for Stability-Seeking Rural Families

Haakon County appeals to families wanting affordable homeownership, strong environmental stability, and a rural lifestyle without the income growth pressures of urban centers. If security and low costs matter more than high wages, this county delivers exceptional value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.5Cost86.1SafetyComing SoonHealth75.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.1Risk90.3WaterComing Soon
🏛78.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡90.3
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 Haakon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clay County
Alabama
76.5
Median income: $51,852
Martin County
Indiana
76.5
Median income: $65,345
Traverse County
Minnesota
76.5
Median income: $65,931
Worth County
Missouri
76.5
Median income: $46,167
Granite County
Montana
76.5
Median income: $54,646

Deep Dives

Haakon County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Haakon County

via CostByCounty

Haakon County mirrors South Dakota's affordability

Haakon County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% essentially matches the state average of 13.8%, placing it squarely in the middle of South Dakota's housing affordability landscape. With a $688 median rent and $59,231 median income, the county offers typical rural South Dakota housing economics.

Right at South Dakota's affordability midline

Haakon County's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio and $688 median rent position it as a representative South Dakota county, neither exceptionally affordable nor strained. The county tracks almost exactly with statewide averages, making it a stable benchmark for regional housing costs.

Mid-range rents among northeast counties

Haakon County's $688 rent sits between Grant County ($668) and Hughes County ($930), offering a middle option for renters in the region. Its 13.9% affordability ratio matches Grant's state-beating performance more closely than Hughes County's 14.1%.

Balanced rent and ownership costs

Haakon County renters spend $688 monthly while homeowners pay $659, a close-call scenario where renting slightly exceeds ownership costs. Against the $59,231 median income, renters dedicate 13.9% to housing—near the state average—while homeowners spend 13.3%.

Solid middle ground for midwest relocators

Haakon County offers representative South Dakota housing costs without extreme affordability pressures or premium prices. If you want a county that reflects broader state trends rather than outlier markets, Haakon delivers predictable, sustainable housing economics.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Haakon County

via HealthByCounty

Haakon County leads in longevity

Haakon County's 80.1-year life expectancy ranks among the nation's best, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly 4 years. A 14.7% poor/fair health rate beats the national average of 17%.

South Dakota's longevity champion

At 80.1 years, Haakon County's life expectancy surpasses South Dakota's 75.4-year average by 4.7 years. The county ranks as one of the state's healthiest communities.

Clear health advantage over peers

Haakon County's 80.1-year life expectancy outpaces Grant County (78.5 years) and Hand County (78.5 years). This strong showing reflects sustained community health investments.

Strong healthcare infrastructure

Haakon County's 10.4% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 11.1%, leaving most residents covered. The county delivers 109 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, one of the highest rates regionally.

Maintain health momentum with coverage

Haakon County's strong health outcomes benefit from high insurance enrollment—maintain this advantage by checking your coverage. Visit local clinics or the state marketplace to verify your current plan.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Haakon County

via RiskByCounty

Haakon County ranks among America's safest

Haakon County's composite risk score of 9.73 places it well below the national average, earning a Very Low risk designation. The county enjoys minimal overall exposure to compounded natural disaster threats.

Haakon County is one of South Dakota's safest

With a score of 9.73 against South Dakota's state average of 26.84, Haakon County ranks among the state's lowest-risk counties. This represents less than one-third of the state's average composite risk.

Safest in its immediate region

Haakon County's 9.73 score is notably lower than nearby Hamlin County (9.99), Hand County (6.46), and Gregory County (16.16). The county represents one of the region's most resilient natural disaster environments.

Wildfire is Haakon's sole significant hazard

Wildfire risk at 68.51 dominates Haakon County's hazard profile, while flood risk (21.98) remains moderate. Tornado risk (8.24) and earthquake risk (7.67) pose minimal concern for county residents.

Focus protection on wildfire coverage

Haakon County homeowners should prioritize wildfire coverage in their insurance policies, as it represents the county's only meaningful natural hazard exposure. Review your policy's wildfire provisions and consider supplemental coverage if needed.

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.