CountyScore

Hutchinson County

South Dakota · SD

#32 in South Dakota
71.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Hutchinson County, South Dakota

Hutchinson outpaces national average

Hutchinson County's composite score of 71.8 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 44th percentile nationally. This rural South Dakota county demonstrates solid livability across multiple dimensions, rivaling counties in many more populous states.

Just above state average

Hutchinson ranks slightly above South Dakota's county average of 71.3, landing it squarely in the middle tier of state livability. While not among the state's top performers, it holds steady as a reliable option for rural living.

Affordability and health lead the way

Housing costs are exceptional here, with a cost score of 84.4 and median home values of just $160,500—well below state and national norms. The health score of 76.0 reflects relatively strong medical outcomes, while the tax burden remains manageable at 1.117% effective rate.

Income growth remains modest

The county's income score of 32.0 signals that median household income of $74,459, while decent, lags behind higher-performing peers. The risk score of 52.1 suggests moderate exposure to economic or environmental stress that residents should monitor.

A stable choice for budget-conscious families

Hutchinson County suits families or retirees prioritizing affordability and stability over rapid income growth or cutting-edge amenities. If you value reasonable housing costs, acceptable health care access, and low taxes in a rural setting, Hutchinson delivers reliable livability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.8Cost84.4SafetyComing SoonHealth76SchoolsComing SoonIncome32Risk52.1WaterComing Soon
🏛70.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.1
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 Hutchinson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Prairie County
Arkansas
71.8
Median income: $51,094
Brown County
Illinois
71.8
Median income: $72,288
Greene County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $59,753
Huntington County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $62,734
Miami County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $61,130

Deep Dives

Hutchinson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hutchinson County

via TaxByCounty

Hutchinson taxes run 58% below national median

Hutchinson County homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 1.117%, well below the national median of 1.28%. The median annual tax bill here is $1,793, compared to a national median of $2,690—putting Hutchinson in roughly the 25th percentile nationally for property tax burden.

Slightly above South Dakota average

Hutchinson's 1.117% rate edges out the state average of 1.094%, ranking it in the middle tier among South Dakota's 66 counties. The median tax payment of $1,793 sits just $8 above the statewide median of $1,785.

In line with Hyde and Jones counties

Neighboring Hyde County (1.227%) charges more, while Jones County (1.159%) is slightly higher. Jerauld County to the west offers a lower rate at 0.954%, giving Hutchinson homeowners a middle-ground option in the region.

Median home costs $1,793 annually

A typical $160,500 home in Hutchinson generates roughly $1,793 in annual property tax at the current 1.117% rate. For homeowners with a mortgage, that bill rises to approximately $1,927 when agricultural exemptions are removed.

Check if you're overassessed

Many South Dakota homeowners discover their properties are valued above market rates, making them eligible to appeal their assessments. If your home's assessed value feels high, a formal appeal could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hutchinson County

via CostByCounty

Hutchinson rents hit below national average

Renters in Hutchinson County spend 11.5% of their income on housing, well below the national norm and significantly better than South Dakota's 13.8% average. With a median rent of $714 per month against a household income of $74,459, residents enjoy one of the state's more balanced housing situations.

A top performer in South Dakota affordability

Hutchinson County ranks among the most affordable counties in South Dakota for renters, with its 11.5% rent-to-income ratio beating the state average by 2.3 percentage points. This positioning reflects both moderate rent costs and stable household incomes that align closely with the national median.

Cheaper rents than most regional peers

At $714 monthly, Hutchinson's median rent undercuts nearby Kingsbury County ($725) and Lake County ($868) while matching similar small-county profiles across the region. Homebuyers here face a median monthly cost of $741, making it competitive for both renters and buyers seeking stability.

Housing takes modest bite from paychecks

Renters allocate just 11.5% of their $74,459 median income to the $714 monthly rent, leaving substantial room for other expenses. Homeowners pay slightly more at $741 monthly, but this remains affordable relative to the county's solid income baseline.

Consider Hutchinson for balanced living

If affordability matters, Hutchinson County offers competitive rents and a rent-to-income ratio that beats state and national benchmarks. The county's stable income level and moderate housing costs make it an attractive option for families seeking financial breathing room.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hutchinson County

via IncomeByCounty

Hutchinson meets the national standard

Hutchinson County's median household income of $74,459 sits nearly at parity with the national median of $74,755, placing it right in the middle of American earning power. This performance ranks Hutchinson in the top half of all U.S. counties, reflecting a stable, middle-class economic base.

South Dakota's income leaders

At $74,459, Hutchinson County earns 11% more than South Dakota's state average of $66,926, ranking it among the state's stronger-performing counties. The county's per capita income of $38,061 also exceeds the state average of $35,667 by 7%.

Stronger than surrounding counties

Hutchinson outpaces neighboring Jones County ($64,688) and Kingsbury County ($70,221), though Jerauld County ($75,417) edges it out slightly. This positions Hutchinson as a solid middle performer in the central South Dakota region.

Housing costs are manageable here

Hutchinson's rent-to-income ratio of 11.5% falls well below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing absorbs a healthy share of household budgets. With a median home value of $160,500, homeownership remains accessible for most working families.

Build on Hutchinson's economic stability

With median household income tracking the national average and housing costs under control, Hutchinson families have room to invest in retirement and savings accounts. Consider working with a financial advisor to maximize 401(k) contributions and explore real estate equity as wealth-building opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hutchinson County

via HealthByCounty

Hutchinson lives longer than most Americans

At 78.7 years, Hutchinson County residents outlive the U.S. average of 76.4 years by more than two years. Just 14.0% of the county reports being in poor or fair health, suggesting a population that's managing chronic conditions well.

Among South Dakota's healthiest counties

Hutchinson's 78.7-year life expectancy significantly exceeds South Dakota's state average of 75.4 years—a gap of 3.3 years. The county ranks in the upper tier statewide for longevity and health outcomes.

Strong healthcare access in region

Hutchinson offers 121 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, well above many rural South Dakota peers. With 41 mental health providers per 100,000, the county ensures residents can access both physical and mental healthcare.

Nearly all Hutchinson residents have insurance

Only 9.1% of Hutchinson County residents lack health insurance, well below South Dakota's 11.1% uninsured rate. This strong coverage translates to easier access to preventive care and treatment when needed.

Check your coverage today

Even in well-insured Hutchinson, 1 in 11 residents still lacks coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your county health department to explore insurance options that fit your family's needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hutchinson County

via RiskByCounty

Hutchinson faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 47.93, Hutchinson County ranks as relatively low but sits significantly above South Dakota's average of 26.84. This places the county in a moderate risk zone compared to the nation's 50th percentile, meaning residents face more natural disaster exposure than most Americans.

Riskier than most South Dakota counties

Hutchinson County's composite score of 47.93 makes it one of the higher-risk counties in South Dakota, where the state average is 26.84. Only a handful of South Dakota counties experience comparable natural disaster exposure.

Lawrence County faces similar threats

Hutchinson's risk profile (47.93) closely mirrors Lawrence County to the north (49.27), both substantially exceeding their state and regional peers. These two western South Dakota counties share elevated wildfire and tornado risks that set them apart from surrounding areas.

Wildfire and tornado threats dominate

Hutchinson faces a wildfire risk score of 68.96 and tornado risk of 65.08—both well above state averages—making these the county's primary natural hazards. Flood risk (35.24) poses a secondary but meaningful threat to homes and infrastructure along waterways.

Prioritize wildfire and wind coverage

Homeowners in Hutchinson County should verify that standard policies cover both wildfire damage and wind-driven loss, as tornado and wildfire risks are elevated. Consider supplemental coverage or a comprehensive umbrella policy given the county's above-average composite risk score.

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.