Kingsbury County's composite score of 75.5 comfortably surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 51st percentile nationally. This demonstrates solid, competitive livability for a rural South Dakota county.
2 / 5
Above-average performer in South Dakota
At 75.5, Kingsbury County ranks above the state average of 71.3, placing it among South Dakota's stronger counties. It offers reliable livability with balanced strengths across multiple dimensions.
3 / 5
Affordability and moderate health access
Kingsbury combines a cost score of 83.2 with median home values of $159,600 and favorable tax rates of 0.995%, offering solid financial predictability. Health outcomes at 76.4 indicate reasonable medical access, while the risk score of 92.2 suggests strong resilience to external shocks.
4 / 5
Limited income and income growth
The income score of 29.2 reflects median household income of $70,221, below several peer counties and suggesting limited high-wage employment opportunities. Renters face moderate costs at $725/month, placing it middle-of-the-pack among these eight counties.
5 / 5
Reliable choice for moderate-income families
Kingsbury County appeals to working families and retirees seeking reasonable housing costs, acceptable health care, and community stability without premium wages. It's a solid all-around option for those valuing predictability and balanced livability over exceptional incomes or ultra-low costs.
Kingsbury County's composite score of 75.5 comfortably surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 51st percentile nationally. This demonstrates solid, competitive livability for a rural South Dakota county.
Above-average performer in South Dakota
At 75.5, Kingsbury County ranks above the state average of 71.3, placing it among South Dakota's stronger counties. It offers reliable livability with balanced strengths across multiple dimensions.
Affordability and moderate health access
Kingsbury combines a cost score of 83.2 with median home values of $159,600 and favorable tax rates of 0.995%, offering solid financial predictability. Health outcomes at 76.4 indicate reasonable medical access, while the risk score of 92.2 suggests strong resilience to external shocks.
Limited income and income growth
The income score of 29.2 reflects median household income of $70,221, below several peer counties and suggesting limited high-wage employment opportunities. Renters face moderate costs at $725/month, placing it middle-of-the-pack among these eight counties.
Reliable choice for moderate-income families
Kingsbury County appeals to working families and retirees seeking reasonable housing costs, acceptable health care, and community stability without premium wages. It's a solid all-around option for those valuing predictability and balanced livability over exceptional incomes or ultra-low costs.
Score breakdown
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🏛74.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Kingsbury County's effective rate of 0.995% sits well below the national median of 1.28%, placing it in the 20th percentile nationally. The median annual tax of $1,588 on $159,600 homes is 41% lower than the national median of $2,690.
Near state average with moderate tax burden
At 0.995%, Kingsbury's rate is just below South Dakota's average of 1.094%, making it a balanced option statewide. The median tax bill of $1,588 sits 11% below the state median of $1,785.
Competitive rates in east-central region
Kingsbury's 0.995% falls between Jerauld County's lower 0.954% and Hutchinson County's higher 1.117%. Lake County to the east (1.066%) and Lawrence County further north (0.859%) offer comparable alternatives in the region.
Median annual tax is $1,588
A typical $159,600 home in Kingsbury County generates about $1,588 in annual property tax at the 0.995% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $1,642.
Appeal if your assessment feels high
Kingsbury County homeowners should verify their properties aren't overassessed compared to recent sales. A successful appeal can reduce your tax burden significantly.
Renters in Kingsbury County spend 12.4% of their income on housing, below South Dakota's 13.8% average and closer to national norms. With a $725 median rent and $70,221 household income, the county offers solid affordability for both renters and homebuyers.
Above-average affordability statewide
Kingsbury County's 12.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks well among South Dakota counties, beating the state average by 1.4 percentage points. The county strikes a healthy balance between moderate rents and stable household incomes.
Mid-range rents with solid value
At $725 monthly, Kingsbury's median rent sits between affordable peers like Jones ($544) and pricier counties like Lake ($868) and Hyde ($921). Home values of $159,600 keep ownership costs competitive, with monthly payments of $805.
Balanced housing burden for renters
Renters allocate $725 of their $70,221 income to housing, claiming 12.4% of monthly earnings and leaving healthy room for other expenses. Homeowners pay slightly more at $805 monthly, but both groups benefit from the county's affordability advantages.
Kingsbury offers reliable middle-ground value
Kingsbury County delivers above-average affordability without sacrificing the characteristics of larger, more developed South Dakota communities. Renters and homeowners alike will find balanced housing costs paired with reasonable incomes, making it a sensible relocation target.
Kingsbury County's median household income of $70,221 runs 6% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting a solidly middle-class but not affluent economy. This performance places it in the lower-middle tier of American counties.
Above-average earner for the state
Kingsbury County's $70,221 median income surpasses South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by 5%, ranking it as a moderate-performing county statewide. Per capita income of $37,976 slightly exceeds the state average of $35,667.
Mid-range performer in the region
Kingsbury County's income sits between the lower-earning Jones County ($64,688) and higher-earning Hutchinson ($74,459) and Lake ($73,792) counties. This positioning reflects a typical South Dakota rural county profile.
Good housing affordability balance
Kingsbury County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.4% indicates solid housing affordability, with costs consuming just over one-eighth of household income. At a median home value of $159,600, homeownership is realistically accessible for most working families.
Build on Kingsbury's solid foundation
With above-state-average income and moderate housing costs, Kingsbury County residents have room to invest in long-term wealth building. Focus on maximizing employer retirement benefits, establishing education savings accounts, and exploring opportunities to increase household income through career advancement.
At 79.4 years, Kingsbury County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 3 full years. With just 13.3% reporting poor or fair health, residents show strong overall wellness management.
Well above South Dakota average
Kingsbury County's 79.4-year life expectancy outpaces South Dakota's state average of 75.4 years by 4 years. The county ranks among the state's healthier communities by longevity measures.
Moderate primary care capacity
Kingsbury offers 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, reflecting a rural healthcare landscape with room for expansion. Mental health provider data isn't available, but the county continues investing in healthcare infrastructure.
Strong insurance coverage in Kingsbury
Just 10.0% of Kingsbury County residents lack health insurance, below South Dakota's 11.1% average. This solid coverage means most residents can access preventive care and treatment without insurance barriers.
Help uninsured neighbors access coverage
While Kingsbury's insurance rate is strong, 1 in 10 residents still go without coverage. Share information about healthcare.gov and your county's health department with anyone who needs help finding affordable insurance options.
With a composite risk score of 7.86, Kingsbury County ranks as very low and sits well below South Dakota's average of 26.84. The county experiences natural disaster exposure significantly lower than the typical American community.
Among South Dakota's safest counties
Kingsbury County's composite score of 7.86 places it among the state's lowest-risk counties, where the average is 26.84. The county's natural hazard exposure is minimal compared to most statewide peers.
Comparable safety to central South Dakota
Kingsbury County (7.86) is slightly safer than Jerauld County (9.51) and Jackson County (10.18), and notably safer than Lake County to the northeast (32.63). This eastern South Dakota county enjoys a favorable risk profile relative to its region.
Tornado risk outpaces other hazards
Tornado risk scores 34.38 in Kingsbury County—higher than the county's already-low flood (9.45) and wildfire (54.71) hazards. Despite this, the county's overall composite score of 7.86 remains very low statewide.
Standard coverage with storm awareness
Kingsbury County homeowners should ensure homeowners insurance covers wind and hail damage, given the relatively elevated tornado risk score. Basic policies provide adequate protection for most residents in this very low-risk county.