countyscore
42.1
County Score
Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 83.6Income & Jobs 83.3

County Report Card

About Hughes County, South Dakota

Trailing the national median score

Hughes County earns a composite score of 42.3, which is lower than the national median of 50.0. This indicates significant areas for improvement in overall livability.

Below the South Dakota average

The county's score of 42.3 falls well short of the South Dakota state average of 55.9. It faces more challenges than many of its peer counties across the state.

Strong incomes and water quality

Hughes County excels in income with a score of 82.5, supported by a $78,981 median household income. It also maintains a strong water score of 86.0 and high environmental resilience.

High costs and safety concerns

Safety is a major concern with a low score of 24.5. Additionally, the cost score of 29.3 reflects high expenses, with a median gross rent of $930 and a 1.143% effective tax rate.

Best for high-earning state employees

Hughes County is best suited for those whose careers require proximity to the state capital and can leverage the high median incomes. Residents trade lower safety and higher costs for career opportunities and infrastructure.

2040608010028.827.624.573.235.683.383.68631.5Tax28.8Cost27.6Safety24.5Health73.2Schools35.6Income83.3Risk83.6Water86Weather31.542.1/100
This county
National avg
4 above average5 below average

Hughes County DNA

Foverall

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

Hughes County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (83.6/100) but notably weak in Safety (24.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
28.8-23.2
Cost
27.6-20.4
Safety
24.5-30.5
Health
73.2+23.200000000000003
Schools
35.6-18.4
Income
83.3+32.3
Risk
83.6+36.599999999999994
Water
86+28
Weather
31.5-24.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Hughes County

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$242,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$990/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$242,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $81,395/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

67.7

per 100K

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

Hyde County
South Dakota
61.7
Lyman County
South Dakota
59
Stanley County
South Dakota
60.3
Sully County
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Buffalo County
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Jones County
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Potter County
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Hand County
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71.9

Deep Dives

Hughes County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hughes County

via TaxByCounty

Hughes County slightly above national median

At 1.143%, Hughes County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $2,526 annually is still 6% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting South Dakota's moderate home valuations.

The highest-taxed county in South Dakota

Hughes County's effective rate of 1.143% tops all other South Dakota counties, exceeding the state average of 1.094% by nearly half a percentage point. At a median home value of $221,100, the annual tax of $2,526 is the state's highest median bill.

Significantly higher taxes than nearby counties

Hughes County's 1.143% rate far exceeds every regional neighbor: Grant County (0.851%), Haakon County (0.847%), Hand County (0.903%), and Harding County (0.933%). Only Hamlin County (1.090%) approaches Hughes's burden, making it the region's most expensive tax jurisdiction.

Median home costs $2,526 per year

On Hughes County's median home value of $221,100, homeowners pay approximately $2,526 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to roughly $2,645; without, it drops to $2,221.

High taxes make property tax appeals crucial

As South Dakota's highest-taxed county, Hughes residents benefit most from challenging overassessments; a 5% reduction on a $2,526 bill saves over $125 yearly. Request a formal assessment review if you believe your property is valued above current market rates.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hughes County

via IncomeByCounty

Hughes County exceeds national average

Hughes County's median household income of $78,981 ranks 5.7% above the national median of $74,755, placing it solidly in the upper portion of American counties. Per capita income of $38,880 closely mirrors national trends, suggesting balanced wealth distribution.

Top tier South Dakota county

Hughes County's median household income of $78,981 exceeds South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by 18.0%, ranking it among the highest-earning counties statewide. The county consistently outperforms state peers in household earning power.

Upper-middle income regionally

Hughes County's $78,981 median household income ranks behind only Hanson ($86,375) and Hamlin ($83,194) counties regionally, outpacing Hand ($72,054), Grant ($73,818), Haakon ($59,231), and Gregory ($52,432). This positions it as a strong earner among its peers.

Housing costs strain higher incomes

Hughes County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.1% exceeds the national affordability standard, consuming a larger share of household income than peers with similar earnings. This likely reflects higher housing costs, particularly in the Pierre area where the county seat commands premium prices.

Plan strategically despite housing costs

Hughes County's above-average income provides opportunity for wealth building despite elevated housing costs. Work with a financial advisor to optimize your budget, explore homeownership benefits versus renting, and identify tax-efficient investment strategies that accelerate long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Hughes County

via CrimeByCounty

Hughes County Crime Stays Below National Average

Hughes County reports 1,875.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, which remains below the national average of 2,385.5. It earns a safety score of 97.0 out of 100. Three reporting agencies contribute to this data, providing a comprehensive view of local safety.

Higher Activity Than the State Average

Hughes County’s crime rate of 1,875.1 is more than double the South Dakota average of 788.1. Its safety score of 97.0 is also lower than the state average of 98.8. As a regional hub, the county sees more law enforcement activity than its rural neighbors.

A Busier Profile Than Surrounding Counties

Hughes County is much more active than nearby Hand County, which has a rate of just 130.0. It also shows significantly more reported crime than Hamlin’s 435.7 rate. Residents experience a more urban safety profile compared to the surrounding plains.

Violent Crime Exceeds National Levels

Violent crime in Hughes County stands at 409.8 per 100,000, slightly above the national average of 369.8. Property crime is more frequent, reaching ,1465.3 per 100,000 people. This suggests that while theft is common, physical safety requires more personal awareness.

Increasing Your Home’s Defensive Layer

Given the higher property crime rates, consider installing a home security system or doorbell camera. Ensure all entry points are well-lit and locked whenever you are away. Staying proactive helps you navigate the higher activity in this regional center safely.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Hughes County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Semi-Arid Plains Climate

Hughes County maintains an annual average temperature of 45.6°F, which is notably cooler than the national median. This central South Dakota region experiences wide temperature swings and relatively low annual moisture.

The Benchmark for South Dakota

Hughes County sits exactly at the South Dakota state average of 45.6°F for annual temperature. Its 19.9 inches of precipitation is slightly lower than the statewide average of 22.7 inches.

More Extreme Heat than Hand

Hughes County is hotter in the summer than neighboring Hand County, logging 35 days above 90°F compared to Hand's 20 days. It is also drier, receiving 19.9 inches of rain while Hand gets 22.3 inches.

Intense Heat and Moderate Snow

July is hot with an average of 73.8°F and 35 days of extreme heat. Winter brings 40.2 inches of snowfall and a January average of 17.1°F, creating a true four-season experience.

Dual-Season System Maintenance

Air conditioning is critical for the five weeks of 90°F temperatures seen each summer. Homeowners should also ensure heaters can handle the 19.9°F winter average and manage the 40.2 inches of annual snow.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Hughes County

via SoilByCounty

Neutral Soil in the State Capital

Hughes County soil sits at a pH of 7.03, making it almost perfectly neutral compared to the state average of 7.05. This balanced pH is ideal for a wide range of plants, though it remains slightly higher than the national median of 6.5.

Silt and Clay Lead the Mix

The soil is heavy on silt at 48.0%, with 27.4% clay and 23.4% sand. This composition creates a dense, fine-textured soil that is excellent at anchoring roots and holding onto moisture.

Consistent Moisture for Gardening Success

The available water capacity of 0.178 in/in is very close to the state average of 0.182 in/in. With 2.64% organic matter, the soil is moderately fertile, benefiting significantly from seasonal mulch or fertilizer applications.

Fine Textures Influence Water Movement

While drainage class data is not specified, the high silt and clay content suggests that the soil likely retains water for long periods. This can be a challenge for builders, who must ensure proper grading to prevent basement dampness.

Growing Strong in Zone 4b

Hughes County is located in hardiness zone 4b and has a respectable soil score of 56.6. This is a great environment for growing hardy root vegetables like carrots and potatoes that thrive in silty soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Hughes County

via LawnByCounty

Managing High Heat in the Capital

Hughes County scores 51.7 for lawn difficulty, landing almost exactly at the state average. This Zone 4b county offers a fair environment, provided you can manage the intense summer heat typical of central South Dakota.

Extreme Heat and High GDD

With 35 extreme heat days annually, your lawn faces significantly more stress than the state average of 24. These conditions, paired with 2711 growing degree days and only 19.9 inches of rain, make evening irrigation essential.

Consistent Clay Content

A soil pH of 7.03 is nearly perfect for most northern grasses. The 27.4% clay content helps hold onto moisture longer than sandy soils, which is a major advantage when dealing with 35 days of 90-degree temperatures.

Protecting Lawns During Dry Spells

The county experienced 17 weeks of drought last year and currently has 13.6% of its area in dry conditions. Focus on core aeration each fall to reduce soil compaction and help the 19.9 inches of annual rain penetrate deeper.

Timing for a Resilient Lawn

Heat-tolerant Kentucky Bluegrass cultivars are recommended to handle the 35 heat days. Seed your lawn after the May 17th frost to ensure your new grass has the best chance to establish before the October 3rd freeze.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hughes County's county score?
Hughes County, South Dakota has a composite county score of 42.1 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 Hughes County rank among counties in South Dakota?
Hughes County ranks #59 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 Hughes County, South Dakota?
The median annual property tax in Hughes County is $2,659, with an effective tax rate of 1.10%. This earns Hughes County a tax score of 28.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Hughes County?
The median household income in Hughes County, South Dakota is $81,395 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hughes County earns an income score of 83.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Hughes County, South Dakota a good place to live?
Hughes County scores 42.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #59 in South Dakota. The best way to evaluate Hughes 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 Hughes 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.