CountyScore

Hamlin County

South Dakota · SD

#22 in South Dakota
73.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Hamlin County, South Dakota

Strong Livability Well Above National Average

Hamlin County scores 73.4 out of 100, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the upper half of American counties. This reflects consistent strength across multiple livability factors.

Above-Average South Dakota Performance

Hamlin County scores 73.4, outpacing the South Dakota state average of 71.3 by about 2 points. The county holds a solid position among South Dakota's more livable regions.

Highest Income in This County Group

Hamlin County leads with the strongest income dimension (37.7) and median household income of $83,194, among the highest in this set. Outstanding risk resilience (90.0) and solid health outcomes (73.7) create a well-balanced, prosperous living environment.

Housing Costs Rising Relative to Peers

Housing affordability (Cost Score 79.2) represents the weakest relative area, with median home value at $207,700 and rent at $769/month—above several comparable counties. While still reasonable nationally, this trend suggests increasing affordability pressure.

Ideal for Professionals and Growing Families

Hamlin County suits working professionals and growing families who prioritize solid income growth, strong schools environment, and manageable risk alongside acceptable housing costs. If you seek rural stability without sacrificing earning potential, this county is an excellent fit.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.6Cost79.2SafetyComing SoonHealth73.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.7Risk90WaterComing Soon
🏛71.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼37.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡90
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 Hamlin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lemhi County
Idaho
73.4
Median income: $52,057
DeKalb County
Indiana
73.4
Median income: $70,080
Sullivan County
Missouri
73.4
Median income: $55,500
Antelope County
Nebraska
73.4
Median income: $63,750
Grant County
Oregon
73.4
Median income: $59,800

Deep Dives

Hamlin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hamlin County

via TaxByCounty

Hamlin County slightly above national average

With an effective tax rate of 1.090%, Hamlin County sits just below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the middle tier of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median property tax of $2,264 annually is still 16% lower than the national median of $2,690, thanks to South Dakota's moderate home values.

Among the higher-taxed South Dakota counties

Hamlin County's effective rate of 1.090% sits just barely under South Dakota's average of 1.094%, ranking it in the upper-middle range statewide. At a median home value of $207,700, the annual tax of $2,264 exceeds the state median of $1,785.

Higher taxes than most nearby counties

Hamlin County's 1.090% rate tops Grant County (0.851%), Haakon County (0.847%), and Hand County (0.903%), making it one of the region's more expensive tax jurisdictions. Only Hughes County (1.143%) and Hanson County (1.026%) come close in the immediate area.

Median home costs $2,264 per year

On Hamlin County's median home value of $207,700, homeowners pay approximately $2,264 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to roughly $2,397; without, it drops to $2,064.

Higher taxes make appeals more worthwhile

With a median tax bill exceeding state averages, Hamlin County homeowners have extra incentive to verify their assessments. A successful appeal reducing your property's value by even 5% could save over $100 annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hamlin County

via CostByCounty

Hamlin County: Premium incomes, solid affordability

Hamlin County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.1% beats both the state average (13.8%) and reflects a median household income of $83,194, well above the national average of $74,755. The county demonstrates how higher incomes make housing—even slightly pricier housing—more affordable overall.

Highest incomes enable strong affordability

Among these eight counties, Hamlin ranks among the highest-earning with a $83,194 median income, enabling an 11.1% rent-to-income ratio that outpaces the state average. The county's economic strength translates directly into comfortable housing affordability despite slightly elevated rents.

Premium rents, premium incomes—balanced equation

Hamlin County's $769 median rent is among the higher region, but strong $83,194 median incomes offset the cost more effectively than lower-earning counties. Renters here spend 11.1% on housing—better than most peers—thanks to robust local earning power.

Strong incomes make higher costs manageable

Hamlin County renters pay $769 monthly and homeowners pay $1,018, both above county medians but sustainable on a $83,194 median income. At 11.1% of income spent on rent, households retain substantial earnings for discretionary spending, savings, and investment.

Economic vitality meets housing affordability

Hamlin County rewards residents with strong incomes and reasonable housing affordability—a rare combination in rural South Dakota. If your income reaches or exceeds the county median of $83,194, you'll find housing costs manageable and lifestyle quality high.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hamlin County

via IncomeByCounty

Hamlin County leads in household income

Hamlin County's median household income of $83,194 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 11.2%, ranking it well above most American counties. This strong household income indicates robust earning potential across the county workforce.

Top tier among South Dakota counties

Hamlin County's median household income of $83,194 ranks among the highest in South Dakota, exceeding the state average of $66,926 by 24.3%. The county consistently outperforms its state peers in household earning power.

Strongest income in the region

Hamlin County's $83,194 median household income surpasses all nearby counties, including Grant ($73,818), Gregory ($52,432), Haakon ($59,231), and Hand ($72,054). Only Hanson County ($86,375) edges it out regionally, making Hamlin a high-income anchor in northeast South Dakota.

Housing costs remain manageable

Hamlin County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.1% stays comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning residents retain substantial income for other priorities. The combination of strong earnings and low housing ratios creates favorable financial conditions.

Leverage strong income for wealth building

Hamlin County's above-average household income provides an ideal foundation for aggressive wealth building through retirement savings, homeownership, or investments. Consider meeting with a financial planner to maximize tax advantages and explore diversified investment strategies that match your long-term goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hamlin County

via HealthByCounty

Hamlin County near national average

At 77.3 years, Hamlin County residents live nearly a year below the U.S. average of 76.4 years—nearly matching national longevity. A 12.5% poor/fair health rate falls well short of the national average of 17%.

Slightly above state average

Hamlin County's 77.3-year life expectancy exceeds South Dakota's 75.4-year average by 1.9 years. The county performs solidly within state rankings for population health.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Hamlin County's 77.3-year life expectancy trails Haakon County (80.1 years) but exceeds Gregory County (73.7 years). The county maintains middle-tier performance among regional peers.

Limited primary care, near-average uninsurance

Hamlin County's 11.8% uninsured rate slightly exceeds South Dakota's 11.1% average. The county faces a significant primary care challenge with just 16 providers per 100,000 residents—well below regional norms.

Getting covered eases care access

With limited local primary care providers, ensuring insurance coverage helps Hamlin County residents access care effectively. Marketplace enrollment or Medicaid can connect you with providers and reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hamlin County

via RiskByCounty

Hamlin County faces minimal national-level risks

Hamlin County's composite risk score of 9.99 falls substantially below the national average, reflecting a Very Low risk environment. The county enjoys relatively stable exposure to most natural hazards.

Hamlin County ranks well below state average

At 9.99, Hamlin County's score sits far below South Dakota's state average of 26.84—roughly one-third the state norm. This positions Hamlin among South Dakota's safer counties for natural disaster exposure.

Comparable to nearby very-low-risk counties

Hamlin County's 9.99 score aligns closely with Haakon County (9.73) and Hand County (6.46) nearby. All three counties share similarly low natural disaster risks for the region.

Tornado and wildfire warrant attention

Tornado risk (34.83) and wildfire risk (47.39) represent Hamlin County's primary natural hazard concerns. Flood risk (16.03) and earthquake risk (8.27) pose minimal risk by comparison.

Ensure adequate tornado and wind coverage

Hamlin County residents should verify their homeowners policies provide robust tornado and wind protection, given the county's tornado risk score of 34.83. Review your coverage annually and consider supplemental protection if gaps exist.

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.