CountyScore

Pennington County

South Dakota · SD

#64 in South Dakota
63.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Pennington County, South Dakota

Solid National Standing, Upper Quarter

Pennington County scores 63.3 out of 100, positioning it in the top 27% of U.S. counties and well above the national median of 50.0. This reflects consistent, above-average livability across the region.

Below State Average but Still Competitive

At 63.3, Pennington scores below South Dakota's 71.3 state average, placing it in the middle range of the state's counties. The county remains a strong performer compared to national benchmarks.

Health and Tax Stability Strong

Pennington County delivers solid health outcomes with a score of 72.0 and maintains reasonable tax burden at 1.128% effective rate. Housing affordability with a cost score of 70.2 remains competitive, supporting families and professionals.

Income and Risk Exposure Limited

Median household income of $70,768 produces a score of 29.6, indicating wage stagnation relative to state benchmarks. The risk score of 21.4 suggests moderate vulnerability to economic downturns or environmental pressures.

Best for Families Seeking Mountain Access

Pennington County (home to Rapid City and the Black Hills) suits outdoor enthusiasts and families valuing quality of life and natural amenities over maximum earning potential. Strong healthcare and moderate costs make it appealing to retirees and lifestyle-focused movers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.6Cost70.2SafetyComing SoonHealth72SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.6Risk21.4WaterComing Soon
🏛70.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡21.4
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 Pennington County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

New Castle County
Delaware
63.3
Median income: $89,901
Okeechobee County
Florida
63.3
Median income: $52,288
Troup County
Georgia
63.3
Median income: $54,905
Sumner County
Kansas
63.3
Median income: $60,348
Otsego County
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63.3
Median income: $67,086

Deep Dives

Pennington County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pennington County

via TaxByCounty

Pennington County taxes rank above the national average

Pennington County's effective tax rate of 1.128% exceeds the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median annual tax of $3,049 is higher than the national median of $2,690.

Second-highest taxes in South Dakota

Pennington County's 1.128% effective rate ranks second in the state, trailing only Perkins County's 1.327%. This places Pennington among the most tax-heavy counties statewide, well above the state average of 1.094%.

Highest-taxed in the western county cluster

Pennington's 1.128% rate exceeds Perkins (1.327%) regionally, making it a significant tax jurisdiction for the western Black Hills area. Among the eight counties studied, only Perkins and Potter counties exceed Pennington's tax rate.

Budget $3,049 for annual property taxes

On Pennington's median home value of $270,400, homeowners pay a median property tax of $3,049 yearly. The difference between mortgage holders ($3,043) and outright owners ($3,058) is negligible in this county.

Pennington homeowners should check their valuations

With higher tax rates, the potential dollar savings from a successful appeal increase significantly for Pennington residents. An estimated 30% of homeowners nationally are overassessed—filing a county appeal is a straightforward step to verify your property's true value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pennington County

via CostByCounty

Pennington rents rank high nationally, regionally

At 18.1% of median household income, Pennington County's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national average and reflects high housing demand in the Rapid City area. Despite a median household income of $70,768, residents are spending considerably more on rent than typical American households.

Second-priciest rental market in South Dakota

Pennington County's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio trails only Oglala Lakota County among the eight South Dakota counties examined, with median rent of $1,066 the highest in this comparison. The county ranks as South Dakota's second-most expensive rental market, driven by Rapid City's popularity and limited housing stock.

Rapid City premium rivals Sioux Falls market

Pennington's $1,066 median rent narrowly exceeds Minnehaha County's $954, making Rapid City competitively priced with Sioux Falls despite lower median income ($70,768 versus $76,074). This pricing power reflects tourism, outdoor recreation appeal, and constrained housing availability in the Black Hills region.

Both housing types strain median household budget

Renters pay $1,066 monthly while homeowners average $1,241—a 16% premium reflecting median home values of $270,400. Combined with lower median income than Minnehaha, housing costs consume roughly 18-20% of income for typical Pennington households, above comfortable thresholds.

Rapid City charm carries urban price tag

Pennington County attracts residents seeking mountain access and outdoor lifestyle, but plan for housing costs competitive with larger urban centers despite smaller local economy. If affordability matters, compare Moody County's $723 rents; if you love the Black Hills, budget accordingly for premium pricing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pennington County

via IncomeByCounty

Pennington slightly trails national norm

Pennington County's median household income of $70,768 falls $3,987 short of the national median of $74,755. While below the U.S. average, the county still ranks within the middle tier nationwide, reflecting its role as a mixed urban-rural region.

Third-highest income in state

Pennington County ranks third among South Dakota counties with a median household income of $70,768, exceeding the state average of $66,926 by 5.8%. The county benefits from Rapid City's diverse economy and tourism industry.

Competitive with regional peers

Pennington's $70,768 income lags Moody County ($77,500) and Minnehaha County ($76,074), but exceeds Potter County ($71,726) and Roberts County ($63,691). The county holds a middle position in the state's income hierarchy.

Housing costs run higher here

A rent-to-income ratio of 18.1% places housing costs near the affordability ceiling, with homes averaging $270,400—among the state's priciest. Pennington households must carefully budget to balance homeownership with other financial goals.

Manage housing costs strategically

With housing consuming nearly one-fifth of income, Pennington residents should prioritize debt reduction and build emergency reserves before investing aggressively. Consider working with a financial planner to optimize your mortgage strategy and explore ways to increase household earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pennington County

via HealthByCounty

Pennington County keeps pace nationally

Pennington County's 76.1-year life expectancy matches the U.S. average of 76.1 years, showing residents live as long as typical Americans. With 14.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county runs slightly below the national rate of 17.9%, indicating moderate overall health.

Above state average, leading providers

Pennington County's 76.1-year life expectancy exceeds South Dakota's 75.4-year average by 0.7 years. The county distinguishes itself with exceptional mental health capacity at 357 providers per 100K—the strongest in the state—and solid primary care at 114 per 100K.

Rapid City region delivers strong health

Pennington County's 76.1 years outperforms neighboring Oglala Lakota County (56.9 years) and matches Minnehaha County (77.0 years) to the east. At 114 primary care providers per 100K, Pennington offers robust access comparable to the state's leading counties.

Strong insurance coverage and access

Pennington County's 10.8% uninsured rate dips below South Dakota's 11.1% average, meaning most residents carry health coverage. With 114 primary care and 357 mental health providers per 100K, the Rapid City region ranks among South Dakota's best-resourced counties for both physical and behavioral health.

Keep Pennington's health momentum

Though Pennington County leads on provider access, ensuring full insurance coverage strengthens the safety net for all residents. Check the South Dakota Health Insurance Marketplace to confirm your coverage and access the county's abundant healthcare resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pennington County

via RiskByCounty

Pennington ranks among higher-risk regions

Pennington County scores 78.56 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low category but substantially above South Dakota's county average of 26.84. The county faces nearly threefold greater exposure than typical South Dakota counties, driven by significant wildfire, flood, and earthquake risks concentrated in the Black Hills region.

Second-highest risk in South Dakota

Pennington County ranks second only to Minnehaha County in overall disaster risk, with a composite score of 78.56 that reflects its unique hazard mix. The Black Hills terrain creates exposure to multiple simultaneous threats rarely seen elsewhere in the state.

Far riskier than western county neighbors

Pennington's composite risk of 78.56 dwarfs nearby Oglala Lakota County's 49.84, despite both counties sharing significant wildfire exposure. The difference reflects Pennington's additional vulnerability to flooding and earthquake risks concentrated around the Black Hills.

Wildfire, floods, and earthquakes threaten

Wildfire risk reaches 97.20, nearly the highest in the state, while flood risk of 75.64 reflects Black Hills terrain susceptibility. Earthquake risk of 56.90 adds a third dimension rarely significant elsewhere in South Dakota, making Pennington uniquely multi-hazard exposed.

Comprehensive multi-hazard coverage essential

Pennington County homeowners need broad coverage including wildfire, flood, and earthquake protection—a combination rare in other South Dakota counties. Work with a local insurance agent familiar with Black Hills risks, maintain 40+ feet of defensible space, and ensure evacuation readiness during fire season.

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.