CountyScore

Oglala Lakota County

South Dakota · SD

#56 in South Dakota
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota

Above National Median Despite Challenges

Oglala Lakota County scores 66.8 out of 100, exceeding the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the top 33% of U.S. counties. This score reflects remarkable resilience given the county's economic constraints.

Below State Average, Unique Profile

At 66.8, the county falls slightly below South Dakota's 71.3 state average, reflecting distinct demographic and economic challenges. However, the score masks significant strength in certain affordability dimensions.

Unmatched Affordability and Low Taxes

Oglala Lakota County stands out with the lowest effective tax rate in the dataset at 0.436% and exceptional housing affordability—median home value of just $45,600 and rent at $563/month. The cost score of 92.4 is among the highest in the state.

Income and Health Infrastructure Strain

Median household income of $34,769 produces a score of 6.1, the lowest in this cohort, reflecting significant economic disadvantage. Health outcomes score 35.1, indicating limited access to quality healthcare and wellness services.

For Those Seeking Ultra-Low Cost Living

Oglala Lakota County suits individuals or families with minimal income requirements or strong outside financial support seeking the lowest possible cost of living. Prospective residents should carefully assess healthcare access and employment opportunities before relocating.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90Cost92.4SafetyComing SoonHealth35.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome6.1Risk50.2WaterComing Soon
🏛90
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠92.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼6.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤35.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡50.2
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 Oglala Lakota County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cochise County
Arizona
66.8
Median income: $58,970
Chattooga County
Georgia
66.8
Median income: $47,785
Clay County
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66.8
Median income: $57,266
Piatt County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $87,516
Hamilton County
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66.8
Median income: $61,929

Deep Dives

Oglala Lakota County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Oglala Lakota County

via TaxByCounty

Oglala Lakota taxes are exceptionally low nationally

Oglala Lakota County's effective tax rate of 0.436% ranks among the nation's lowest property tax jurisdictions, far below the national median of 0.84%. The median annual property tax bill of just $199 reflects median home values that are significantly lower than the national average.

Lowest effective rate in South Dakota

Oglala Lakota County's 0.436% effective tax rate is less than half the South Dakota average of 1.094%, making it the most tax-friendly county in the state. This substantial gap reflects the county's unique economic and property value profile.

Dramatically lower than all comparison counties

Oglala Lakota's 0.436% rate is less than one-third of neighboring Bennett and Shannon counties' rates. This county's tax burden stands apart from every other jurisdiction analyzed in this eight-county comparison.

Annual property taxes average just $199

With a median home value of $45,600, Oglala Lakota homeowners pay a median property tax of $199 yearly—among the lowest in the nation. Limited mortgage lending data reflects the county's housing market characteristics.

Even low-tax counties benefit from appeals

While Oglala Lakota's overall tax burden is minimal, homeowners should still ensure their assessments are fair by reviewing their valuation. A property tax appeal remains a free or low-cost opportunity to verify accuracy and protect against overassessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Oglala Lakota County

via CostByCounty

Oglala Lakota faces severe affordability squeeze

Oglala Lakota County residents spend 19.4% of their median household income on rent—nearly five percentage points above the national average and well above sustainable levels. The median household income of just $34,769 means even modest rents of $563 consume an outsized share of earnings, creating significant housing stress.

South Dakota's least affordable rental market

With a 19.4% rent-to-income ratio, Oglala Lakota County ranks as the least affordable among South Dakota counties in this comparison, despite having the lowest absolute rent. The county's median income of $34,769 is less than half the state's implicit average, driving the affordability crisis.

Lowest rents mask deeper income challenges

While Oglala Lakota's $563 median rent is the lowest in the region, the county's median household income is drastically lower than neighbors like Moody ($77,500) and Roberts ($63,691). This income gap—not rent prices—drives the affordability burden, making this a story of economic capacity rather than housing costs.

Housing consumes critical share of minimal income

Renters spend $563 monthly while homeowners pay $406, but both figures represent substantial portions of the $34,769 median household income. At current levels, combined rent and owner costs would consume nearly 30% of median income for a typical household, leaving insufficient funds for food, utilities, and transportation.

Consider regional opportunities for better income

While Oglala Lakota County offers the region's lowest housing costs, the severe median income gap ($34,769 versus $77,500 in Moody) suggests economic opportunity lies elsewhere. Remote workers or those seeking to relocate should compare counties with stronger job markets; housing affordability improves dramatically when income rises.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Oglala Lakota County

via IncomeByCounty

Significant income gap to address

Oglala Lakota County's median household income of $34,769 falls $40,000 below the national median of $74,755, ranking it among the lowest-income counties in the United States. This disparity reflects systemic economic challenges on tribal lands and limited job diversity.

Lowest income in South Dakota

Oglala Lakota County's median household income ranks lowest among all South Dakota counties, at 48% of the state average of $66,926. The gap underscores concentrated economic disadvantage that demands targeted policy and investment.

Sharp contrast with surrounding counties

Oglala Lakota's $34,769 median income trails all neighboring counties, including Roberts County ($63,691) and Sanborn County ($69,870) by roughly 46-50%. This geographic isolation from regional economic opportunity compounds local challenges.

Housing costs strain budgets

A rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% indicates housing absorbs nearly one-fifth of median household income, limiting resources for other essentials. Though median home values are low at $45,600, the income-to-price mismatch leaves many households economically vulnerable.

Targeted resources for financial stability

Oglala Lakota households need access to affordable financial counseling, emergency savings programs, and economic development initiatives. Community organizations and local leaders can help residents access microloans, job training, and entrepreneurial support to build pathways toward financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Oglala Lakota County

via HealthByCounty

Oglala Lakota faces historic health crisis

Oglala Lakota County's life expectancy of 56.9 years is among the lowest in the nation, a stark 19.2 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 35.0% of residents reporting poor or fair health—nearly double the national rate—the county confronts unprecedented health disparities.

Profound gap from state average

Oglala Lakota County's 56.9-year life expectancy represents a devastating 18.5-year gap from South Dakota's 75.4-year average, the largest disparity among the state's counties. At 35.0% poor/fair health, the county's rate is nearly triple the state norm, reflecting systemic health inequities.

Stark contrast with adjacent counties

Oglala Lakota County's 56.9-year life expectancy contrasts sharply with neighboring Bennett County and Jackson County in the region. The county's 37 primary care providers per 100K represents critical scarcity compared to healthier counties like Minnehaha (102 per 100K).

Access barriers compound health crises

Oglala Lakota County's 13.7% uninsured rate exceeds the state average, and with only 37 primary care providers per 100K, residents face severe barriers to preventive care. The combination of limited coverage, provider scarcity, and historical health inequities creates a perfect storm for poor outcomes.

Insurance is a lifeline for Oglala Lakota

Coverage gaps directly threaten Oglala Lakota County residents who already struggle to access care. Enroll in the South Dakota Health Insurance Marketplace or check if you qualify for Medicaid—every enrollment strengthens your health security.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Oglala Lakota County

via RiskByCounty

Oglala Lakota faces moderate wildfire exposure

Oglala Lakota County's composite risk score of 49.84 places it in the relatively low category—about 1.9 times the South Dakota state average of 26.84. The county's overall risk stems primarily from exceptional wildfire danger rather than flood or tornado threats, reflecting its northwestern landscape characteristics.

Mid-range risk within South Dakota

Among South Dakota's 66 counties, Oglala Lakota ranks in the middle tier for disaster exposure, with moderate risk concentrated in wildfire rather than other hazard types. The county's position reflects its distinct geographic and climatic profile compared to eastern South Dakota counties.

Higher risk than Potter County neighbors

Oglala Lakota's composite risk of 49.84 significantly exceeds nearby Potter County's 10.02, a nearly fivefold difference driven by wildfire exposure. The contrast highlights how terrain and vegetation patterns create vastly different disaster profiles across northwestern South Dakota.

Wildfire dominates your hazard landscape

Wildfire risk in Oglala Lakota reaches 96.88, one of the highest scores statewide and the county's overwhelmingly dominant hazard. Tornado risk of 40.87 presents a distant secondary concern, while flood risk remains minimal at 19.02.

Prioritize wildfire insurance and defensible space

Oglala Lakota residents should ensure homeowners policies explicitly cover wildfire damage and maintain a defensible space of at least 30 feet of cleared vegetation around structures. Create and maintain an emergency evacuation plan, keep vehicle fuel tanks at least half-full during fire season, and monitor local air quality during active wildfires.

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.