CountyScore

Mellette County

South Dakota · SD

#62 in South Dakota
64.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Mellette County, South Dakota

Mellette County exceeds national average

Mellette County's composite score of 64.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 29%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. This respectable showing masks significant challenges in key dimensions.

Lowest scorer among South Dakota peers

At 64.7, Mellette County trails South Dakota's state average of 71.3 and ranks lowest among the eight counties in this profile. The county faces more headwinds than most South Dakota communities.

Outstanding housing affordability

Mellette County offers exceptional value with a cost score of 87.1, median home values of just $63,000, and median rent of $737/month. This ultra-affordable housing market is among the most accessible in the state.

Income, health, and tax burden lag significantly

The county struggles with the region's lowest income score (16.9), a median household income of just $51,364, and a weak health score (46.3). A 1.529% effective tax rate (59.3 tax score) adds fiscal pressure on limited incomes.

Best for retirees with independent means

Mellette County suits retirees living on pensions or investment income who prioritize absolute lowest housing costs over economic opportunity and healthcare access. The county's challenges in income and health make it less suitable for families seeking to build wealth or requiring robust medical services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.3Cost87.1SafetyComing SoonHealth46.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.9Risk94.9WaterComing Soon
🏛59.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤46.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡94.9
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 Mellette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Amador County
California
64.7
Median income: $81,526
Colusa County
California
64.7
Median income: $75,149
Mono County
California
64.7
Median income: $86,953
Bartow County
Georgia
64.7
Median income: $79,431
Clinton County
Iowa
64.7
Median income: $65,177

Deep Dives

Mellette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mellette County

via TaxByCounty

Mellette County has very high rate

Mellette County's effective tax rate of 1.529% is nearly double the national median of 0.84%, placing it among the most tax-heavy counties nationwide. The median property tax of $963 remains relatively modest due to the lowest median home value in the region at $63,000.

Third-highest rate in South Dakota

Mellette County ranks 3rd among South Dakota's 66 counties with an effective tax rate of 1.529%, significantly exceeding the state average of 1.094%. Only McPherson County (1.554%) and Lincoln County (1.181%) have higher rates.

Second-highest rate in eight-county region

Mellette County's 1.529% rate trails only McPherson County's 1.554% among all regional neighbors, making it one of the most punitive jurisdictions locally. The county's low home values help keep absolute tax bills manageable despite the high rate.

What $63,000 home costs annually

The median Mellette County home valued at $63,000 generates approximately $963 in annual property taxes—the lowest absolute amount in the region. With mortgage, residents pay $1,250; without, $925.

Verify your assessment immediately

Despite modest absolute tax bills, Mellette County's extreme 1.529% rate means even small assessment reductions yield meaningful savings. Filing an appeal is essential for homeowners questioning their valuations.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mellette County

via CostByCounty

Mellette County: cheap rents, stretched income

Mellette County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio represents a paradox—affordable rents of $737 monthly paired with a low median household income of $51,364, creating genuine affordability stress despite low nominal costs. Against the national average income of $74,755, Mellette residents earn 31% less while paying proportionally more for housing.

Low rent, but strained by low wages

Mellette County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds South Dakota's state average of 13.8%, placing it among the state's least affordable despite $737 median rent below the state average of $756. The disconnect reflects wages that lag even rural South Dakota norms.

Cheap housing, challenging economics

Mellette County's $737 rent rivals Marshall County's price but strains renters far more due to the lowest household income ($51,364) in this eight-county cohort. Only McPherson County ($62,024) comes close to Mellette's income constraints, making both communities economically fragile.

Low rents mask income challenges

Renters spend $737 monthly while homeowners face $535 against just $51,364 annual income, meaning housing claims 17% of renter income and 13% of owner income. The renter burden approaches dangerous territory, leaving minimal room for food, healthcare, or transportation costs.

Affordability comes with trade-offs

Mellette County offers the region's most extreme affordability-to-income challenge: cheap rents ($737) and minimal home prices ($63,000), but paired with the lowest wages. Relocating professionals should verify employment opportunities exceed local norms, or this bargain may mask limited economic mobility.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mellette County

via IncomeByCounty

Mellette County faces significant income challenges

Mellette County's median household income of $51,364 falls 31% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting substantial economic disadvantage compared to typical American households. Per capita income of $18,423 trails the national average by 56%, indicating severe individual earning constraints.

Lowest earner in South Dakota's regional cluster

Mellette County's median household income of $51,364 ranks among the lowest in South Dakota, falling 23% below the state average of $66,926. Per capita income of $18,423 lags the state average by 48%, signaling acute economic hardship across the county.

Mellette County struggles economically versus peers

At $51,364, Mellette County's median household income is substantially lower than all regional neighbors, ranging from 30% below McPherson ($62,024) to 88% below Lincoln ($96,552). The county faces the most severe economic challenges in the eight-county region.

Low income strained by housing cost burdens

Mellette County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% is the second-highest in the region, meaning residents dedicate a disproportionate share of limited earnings to housing. Even the lowest median home value of $63,000 strains household budgets already stressed by poverty-level incomes.

Mellette County: prioritize stability over growth

Given economic constraints, Mellette County residents should focus first on stabilizing basic expenses and building modest emergency reserves before investing. Explore job training, workforce development programs, and community resources designed to increase earning capacity over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mellette County

via HealthByCounty

Mellette County faces acute health crisis

Mellette County's 61.6-year life expectancy is roughly 20.7 years below the U.S. average—among the lowest in the nation—and more than one-quarter of residents (26.0%) report poor or fair health. These figures reflect a community facing severe health and socioeconomic stress.

South Dakota's most challenged county

Mellette County's life expectancy of 61.6 years is the lowest in South Dakota, trailing the state average by 13.8 years. The county's 26.0% poor/fair health rate nearly doubles statewide averages, representing a public health emergency.

Dramatically worse than regional peers

Mellette County's 61.6-year life expectancy is 19.2 years shorter than Lincoln County (83.8 years) and 6.7 years below even Lyman County (68.3 years)—the second-lowest. The gap signals systemic health inequities concentrated in this county.

Uninsured, with minimal healthcare access

Mellette County's 14.4% uninsured rate is among the highest in the sample, and primary care and mental health provider data are not available—likely reflecting severe access shortages. Healthcare infrastructure is critically inadequate relative to community health needs.

Health coverage is a lifeline.

Mellette County residents must prioritize insurance access; visit healthcare.gov or contact your state health department for immediate enrollment support and any available hardship waivers. Getting covered is the essential first step toward addressing the county's health crisis.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mellette County

via RiskByCounty

Mellette County ranks among America's lowest-risk areas

Mellette County's composite risk score of 5.15 places it among the nation's safest areas for natural disasters, earning a "Very Low" rating that reflects exceptional resilience across most hazards. Wildfire risk (83.21) stands as a notable exception, creating a dramatic contrast with the county's otherwise minimal exposure. For most residents, natural disaster risk is negligible outside of wildfire season.

Mellette ranks among South Dakota's safest counties

Mellette County's composite risk score of 5.15 is among the very lowest in South Dakota, trailing only Miner County (3.44) and falling well below the state average of 26.84. The county's near-zero flood (8.11) and earthquake (8.08) risks anchor this advantage, though wildfire risk (83.21) presents an outlier hazard. Residents enjoy natural disaster resilience superior to nearly all other state counties.

Mellette's overall safety exceeds all nearby peers

Mellette County's composite risk of 5.15 is substantially lower than any sampled neighbor, making it one of South Dakota's safest counties for natural disasters overall. However, Mellette's wildfire risk (83.21) exceeds nearby McPherson County (70.36) and Lyman County (69.53), revealing concentrated fire vulnerability despite minimal other hazards. The county presents an unusual profile: exceptional safety coupled with notable wildfire exposure.

Wildfire dominates Mellette's limited hazard exposure

Mellette County's wildfire risk (83.21) is its sole significant natural disaster concern, standing dramatically above all other local hazards and reflecting the county's grassland and forested areas. Tornado risk (19.43), flood risk (8.11), and earthquake risk (15.94) all rank well below state and national averages. Wildfire preparedness is your primary natural disaster priority; other hazards require minimal attention.

Verify wildfire coverage despite minimal overall risk

Mellette County's elevated wildfire risk (83.21) requires that you confirm your homeowners policy includes wildfire coverage and that your property maintains defensible space standards. Given the county's exceptionally low flood and earthquake risks, separate coverage for those hazards is unnecessary unless your property is in a designated flood zone. A standard homeowners policy with wildfire inclusion provides comprehensive protection for most residents.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.