countyscore
71.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 93.6Safety 92Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Hand County, South Dakota

Exceptional national performance

Hand County achieves a high composite score of 72.3, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. It represents the top tier of rural American counties for livability.

A premier South Dakota county

The score of 72.3 is significantly higher than the South Dakota average of 55.9. Hand County stands out as one of the state's most desirable locations.

Resilience, safety, and water quality

The county records an elite risk score of 93.6 and a safety score of 92.0. Additionally, the water score of 86.0 and affordable rent of $553 make daily living both safe and cheap.

Moderate tax and income scores

The tax score of 45.0 is the lowest dimension, reflecting a 0.903% effective tax rate. While the school score of 60.3 is decent, it remains lower than the county's other high marks.

Top choice for balanced rural living

Hand County is perfect for families wanting a mix of high safety, clean water, and extreme affordability. It offers one of the most complete and high-scoring profiles in the entire state.

2040608010044.177.79274.460.372.693.68640.2Tax44.1Cost77.7Safety92Health74.4Schools60.3Income72.6Risk93.6Water86Weather40.271.9/100
This county
National avg
6 above average1 below average

Hand County DNA

Coverall

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

Hand County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (93.6/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
44.1
Cost
77.7+29.700000000000003
Safety
92+37
Health
74.4+24.400000000000006
Schools
60.3
Income
72.6+21.599999999999994
Risk
93.6+46.599999999999994
Water
86+28
Weather
40.2-15.799999999999997
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Hand County?

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

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$159,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$587/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$159,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$23,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $74,635/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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Counties with similar scores

Sully County
South Dakota
Median income: $72,578
71.9
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Median income: $77,500
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Crockett County
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Hardin County
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Median income: $54,271
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Grant County
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Nelson County
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Median income: $67,193
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Wahkiakum County
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Mineral County
Colorado
Median income: $56,250
72.2

Nearby counties

Hyde County
South Dakota
61.7
Faulk County
South Dakota
69.5
Jerauld County
South Dakota
66.2
Beadle County
South Dakota
42.6
Spink County
South Dakota
57.6
Buffalo County
South Dakota
72.8
Hughes County
South Dakota
42.1
Brule County
South Dakota
41.4

Deep Dives

Hand County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hand County

via TaxByCounty

Hand County below the national tax average

At 0.903%, Hand County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,373 annually is nearly 49% below the national median of $2,690.

Below-average taxes for South Dakota

Hand County's effective rate of 0.903% trails the state average of 1.094%, ranking it among South Dakota's more tax-friendly counties. The median annual tax of $1,373 sits well below the state median of $1,785.

Middle ground among regional peers

Hand County's 0.903% rate falls between Haakon County (0.847%) and Harding County (0.933%), positioning it in the tax-friendly middle of the region. It's substantially lower than Hamlin County (1.090%) and Hughes County (1.143%) to the north.

Median home costs $1,373 annually

On Hand County's median home value of $152,100, homeowners pay approximately $1,373 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, costs reach roughly $1,372; without, they remain near $1,374.

Don't assume your assessment is accurate

Hand County residents benefit from relatively low tax rates, but that doesn't guarantee your individual property is fairly valued. Comparing your assessment to recent sales of similar homes is a quick way to identify potential overpayments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hand County

via IncomeByCounty

Hand County income near national average

Hand County's median household income of $72,054 sits within 3.6% of the national median of $74,755, indicating household earnings align closely with the broader U.S. economy. Per capita income of $43,377 exceeds national averages by 14%, suggesting wealth is distributed effectively across the county.

Above-average South Dakota county

Hand County's median household income of $72,054 exceeds South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by 7.6%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. Per capita income of $43,377 significantly surpasses the state average of $35,667, indicating stronger wealth distribution.

Solid income performance regionally

Hand County ($72,054) earns more than Gregory ($52,432), Haakon ($59,231), and Grant ($73,818) counties, though trails Hamlin ($83,194), Hanson ($86,375), and Hughes ($78,981) in the region. It represents solid middle-to-upper income territory among its peers.

Excellent rent affordability

Hand County's rent-to-income ratio of just 9.2% is one of the lowest statewide, meaning housing costs consume minimal household income. This favorable ratio leaves significant resources for savings, investments, and other financial priorities.

Capitalize on strong per capita income

Hand County's excellent per capita income relative to household income suggests opportunities for individual financial growth and entrepreneurship. Use your favorable housing cost ratio to build emergency reserves, invest in retirement accounts, or explore business ventures that leverage the county's economic strengths.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Hand County

via CrimeByCounty

Hand County Boasts Elite Safety Stats

Hand County reports an impressively low crime rate of 130.0 per 100,000 residents. This is a mere fraction of the national average of 2,385.5. With a safety score of 99.8, the county is one of the most secure in the United States.

Hand County Outranks State Safety Average

The county's safety score of 99.8 exceeds the South Dakota state average of 98.8. Its total crime rate of 130.0 is also far superior to the state average of 788.1 per 100,000 people. Two reporting agencies verify these quiet local conditions.

Safer Than Most Nearby Counties

Hand County is notably safer than Hamlin County, which has a crime rate of 435.7. It also outperforms Gregory County’s rate of 301.3. For residents, this means living in one of the most tranquil spots in the regional map.

Even Split Between Crime Types

Both violent and property crimes sit at a very low 65.0 per 100,000 residents. To put this in perspective, the national property crime rate is over 30 times higher at 2,015.7. Total crime incidents in Hand County are exceptionally rare.

Preserving Peace in Hand County

With such low numbers, community awareness is your best tool for staying safe. Reporting unusual activity helps local agencies maintain this high level of security. Simple home lighting can deter the rare opportunistic property crime.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Hand County

via WeatherByCounty

Standard Plains Climate Profile

Hand County sits at an annual average of 45.2°F, remaining cooler than the national median. Its climate profile is typical of the high plains, featuring distinct seasons and moderate annual moisture.

Aligning with South Dakota Norms

The county's 45.2°F average temperature almost perfectly mirrors the South Dakota state average of 45.6°F. Annual precipitation is also standard for the state, coming in at 22.3 inches.

Wetter and Snowier than Hughes

Hand County receives 22.3 inches of precipitation, making it slightly wetter than Hughes County to the west. It also handles more snow, averaging 43.7 inches compared to 40.2 inches in the state capital region.

High Snowfall and Frequent Freezes

The county averages 43.7 inches of snow annually, with winter temperatures averaging 19.4°F. Summer brings a July average of 72.7°F and about 20 days per year where the mercury tops 90°F.

Gear Up for Significant Snowfall

The 43.7 inches of annual snow requires reliable clearing equipment and winter-tread tires. While summer heat is moderate, cooling systems should be checked to handle the three weeks of 90°F temperatures.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Hand County

via SoilByCounty

Rich Mollisols and Ideal pH

Hand County features the highly productive Mollisols order, typical of the world's best grasslands. Its average pH of 6.88 is closer to the national median of 6.5 than most South Dakota counties, making it versatile for many plant species.

Gravelly Sandy Loam Mix

The soil is primarily a gravelly sandy loam, containing 44.4% silt, 29.8% sand, and 25.8% clay. This texture offers a great balance between structural stability for building and ease of tillage for farming.

Exceptional Water Capacity for Crops

Hand County boasts an available water capacity of 0.190 in/in, outperforming the state average of 0.182 in/in. Although organic matter sits slightly lower than the state average at 3.21%, the soil remains highly fertile and responsive.

Excellent Drainage for Active Use

The soil is classified as excessively drained and falls into hydrologic group A, which means water moves through it effortlessly. This rapid drainage minimizes the risk of muddy yards but may require more frequent watering during dry spells.

High-Quality Growing in Zone 4b

A soil score of 66.5 indicates high agricultural potential for this zone 4b region. Gardeners should consider planting deep-rooted perennials that can take full advantage of the high water capacity deep in the soil profile.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Hand County

via LawnByCounty

Hand County Leads the State

With a lawn difficulty score of 58.9, Hand County offers some of the best growing conditions in South Dakota. This Zone 4b area outperforms the state average score of 51.1 due to a balanced mix of temperature and soil quality.

Mild Summers and Steady Growth

Hand County experiences 20 extreme heat days, staying cooler than the state average of 24. Annual precipitation of 22.3 inches matches the state average perfectly, supporting 2614 growing degree days of consistent turf development.

Near-Ideal Soil for Vibrant Lawns

A soil pH of 6.88 is squarely within the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for maximum nutrient availability. The gravelly sandy loam texture is excessively drained, so you should monitor moisture levels closely during the 20 days of peak summer heat.

Manageable Drought Risk

The county saw only 13 weeks of drought last year, and currently, just 24.6% of the area is abnormally dry. These relatively stable conditions allow you to focus on routine maintenance rather than emergency water conservation.

Timing Your Hand County Lawn

Capitalize on the great soil by planting Kentucky Bluegrass or Fine Fescue blends. The safest time to start is after the May 3rd spring frost, giving your lawn five months to establish before the October 3rd freeze.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hand County's county score?
Hand County, South Dakota has a composite county score of 71.9 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 Hand County rank among counties in South Dakota?
Hand County ranks #2 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 Hand County, South Dakota?
The median annual property tax in Hand County is $1,413, with an effective tax rate of 0.89%. This earns Hand County a tax score of 44.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Hand County?
The median household income in Hand County, South Dakota is $74,635 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hand County earns an income score of 72.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Hand County, South Dakota a good place to live?
Hand County scores 71.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in South Dakota. The best way to evaluate Hand 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 Hand 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.