CountyScore

Minnehaha County

South Dakota · SD

#63 in South Dakota
64.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Minnehaha County, South Dakota

Above Average Livability Nationally

Minnehaha County scores 64.1 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top 28% of U.S. counties, reflecting solid overall livability across multiple dimensions.

Slightly Below State Average

At 64.1, Minnehaha ranks below South Dakota's state average composite score of 71.3, placing it in the middle tier of the state's counties. Despite this, the county's national performance remains competitive.

Health and Housing Lead the Way

The county excels in health outcomes (76.9) and maintains reasonable housing affordability with a cost score of 71.6 and median home value of $266,600. Tax burden is moderate at 1.159% effective rate, supporting overall fiscal stability.

Income Growth Lags Behind

Median household income of $76,074 produces the lowest dimension score at 33.0, indicating wage growth hasn't kept pace with state and national benchmarks. The risk score of 10.5 suggests exposure to economic or environmental vulnerabilities worth monitoring.

A Solid Choice for Health-Conscious Families

Minnehaha County suits families and professionals who prioritize strong health infrastructure and stable housing markets over rapid income growth. This is South Dakota's largest county with urban amenities, making it ideal for those seeking community services without sacrificing affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.7Cost71.6SafetyComing SoonHealth76.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome33Risk10.5WaterComing Soon
🏛69.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡10.5
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 Minnehaha County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Glades County
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64.1
Median income: $38,905
Santa Rosa County
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64.1
Median income: $88,968
Columbia County
Georgia
64.1
Median income: $96,122
Stewart County
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64.1
Median income: $35,000

Deep Dives

Minnehaha County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Minnehaha County

via TaxByCounty

Minnehaha taxes run above the national average

Minnehaha County's effective tax rate of 1.159% exceeds the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the upper third nationally for property tax burden. Residents here pay $3,090 annually on the median home, compared to the national median of $2,690—a difference of $400 per year.

Among South Dakota's highest taxed counties

Minnehaha ranks in the top quartile of South Dakota counties by effective tax rate, at 1.159% versus the state average of 1.094%. This county consistently collects more in property taxes per home than most of its peers across the state.

Comparable to other eastern South Dakota counties

Minnehaha's 1.159% rate sits between Pennington County (1.128%) to the west and Moody County (1.081%) to the north. Of the eight regional counties analyzed, only Perkins (1.327%) and Potter (1.371%) tax property at higher effective rates.

Plan for $3,090 in annual property taxes

On Minnehaha's median home value of $266,600, homeowners typically pay $3,090 yearly in property taxes. Mortgage holders in the county see slightly higher bills at $3,151, while those owning outright average $2,981.

Many Minnehaha homeowners could cut their taxes

Research shows up to 30% of homeowners nationally are overassessed relative to their property's actual market value. Minnehaha residents can request a property tax appeal through the county assessor's office—a low-cost way to potentially lower next year's bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Minnehaha County

via CostByCounty

Minnehaha rents slightly above national norm

Minnehaha County residents spend 15.1% of their median household income on rent, outpacing the national average by about 1 percentage point. With a median household income of $76,074—slightly above the U.S. median of $74,755—renters here face moderate affordability pressure compared to the national picture.

Above-average rents in South Dakota's largest county

Minnehaha County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% ranks it above the state average of 13.8%, making it one of the pricier rental markets in South Dakota. At $954 per month, the median rent exceeds the state median by $198, reflecting the county's urban anchor role centered on Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls commands premium over rural peers

Minnehaha's $954 median rent significantly outpaces nearby Moody County ($723) and Roberts County ($656), reflecting the urban-rural divide in the region. However, Pennington County (home to Rapid City) remains slightly more expensive at $1,066, making Minnehaha the second-priciest rental market in our comparison.

Homeownership costs climb faster than rentals

Renters in Minnehaha spend $954 monthly, while homeowners pay $1,286 on mortgage and ownership costs—a 35% premium. At $266,600 median home value, purchasing power remains constrained for median-income households, with ownership costs consuming about 17% of household income.

Weighing Sioux Falls against South Dakota options

If you're considering relocating to South Dakota, Minnehaha offers urban amenities and strong income ($76,074 median) but comes with the region's highest rental costs. Compare against smaller counties like Moody or Roberts for significantly lower housing expenses, or Pennington if you prioritize larger city services despite similar pricing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Minnehaha County

via IncomeByCounty

Minnehaha outpaces the nation

Minnehaha County's median household income of $76,074 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $1,319. This positions the county solidly above the typical American household and signals economic strength in South Dakota's largest metro area.

Top earner in South Dakota

Minnehaha leads all South Dakota counties with a median household income 13.7% above the state average of $66,926. This economic advantage reflects the region's concentration of professional jobs and Sioux Falls' role as the state's economic hub.

Solid edge over regional peers

Minnehaha's $76,074 income significantly outpaces neighboring Moody County ($77,500—a statistical tie) and Pennington County ($70,768). The county captures the highest-earning demographic in the region, driven by corporate headquarters and service sector growth.

Rent is manageable here

A rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% means housing costs consume just over one-seventh of median household earnings, well below the national affordability threshold of 30%. Combined with a median home value of $266,600, Minnehaha residents enjoy balanced homeownership opportunities.

Build wealth beyond the paycheck

With above-average earnings and manageable housing costs, Minnehaha households have real capacity to invest and save. Consider maximizing retirement contributions, exploring tax-advantaged accounts, and consulting a financial advisor to turn income into long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Minnehaha County

via HealthByCounty

Minnehaha outlives the nation

Minnehaha County residents live to 77.0 years on average, outpacing the U.S. life expectancy of 76.1 years. Just 11.3% report poor or fair health, below the national rate of 17.9%, signaling stronger overall wellness in South Dakota's largest county.

A county that leads the state

At 77.0 years, Minnehaha County ranks among South Dakota's healthiest with a life expectancy 1.6 years above the state average of 75.4 years. The county's 11.3% poor/fair health rate reflects better-than-average health outcomes across the state.

Sioux Falls metro sets the bar high

Minnehaha County's 77.0-year life expectancy edges out neighboring Moody County (75.8 years) and nearby Pennington County (76.1 years). The county also boasts robust primary care access at 102 providers per 100K—nearly triple Moody County's 48 per 100K.

Healthcare access meets affordability

Minnehaha County's 9.2% uninsured rate falls below the state average of 11.1%, meaning more residents have coverage when they need care. With 102 primary care providers and 253 mental health providers per 100K residents, the county offers robust access to both physical and behavioral health services.

Keep coverage strong in Minnehaha

Even with strong insurance uptake, 1 in 11 Minnehaha County residents remains uninsured. Explore coverage options through the South Dakota Health Insurance Marketplace or contact your local health department to ensure you're protected year-round.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Minnehaha County

via RiskByCounty

Minnehaha faces above-average disaster risk

Minnehaha County scores 89.54 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively moderate risk category—well above South Dakota's county average of 26.84. The county's overall hazard exposure significantly exceeds what most U.S. counties experience, driven primarily by severe tornado and flood risks that demand serious preparedness attention.

Highest-risk county in South Dakota

Among South Dakota's 66 counties, Minnehaha ranks as the state's most dangerous for natural disasters, with a composite risk score nearly 3.4 times the state average. This distinction reflects concentrated exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and flooding, that routinely impact the county.

Far riskier than neighboring Moody County

Minnehaha's composite risk of 89.54 dwarfs neighboring Moody County's score of 26.94—a threefold difference that makes Minnehaha one of the state's most hazard-prone regions. The contrast underscores how disaster risk varies sharply across short distances in South Dakota's eastern corridor.

Tornadoes and floods dominate your hazard profile

Tornado risk in Minnehaha reaches 98.38, representing one of the highest scores in the nation and the county's most immediate threat. Flooding also presents substantial danger at 85.50, meaning residents face dual exposure to both severe convective storms and water hazards that can occur within hours of each other.

Secure comprehensive coverage now

Given Minnehaha's exceptional tornado and flood risks, homeowners should carry both comprehensive homeowners insurance and a separate flood policy, as standard policies exclude flood damage. Consider a safe room or reinforced shelter for tornado season, and maintain quarterly review of coverage limits to match current property values.

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.