CountyScore

Perkins County

South Dakota · SD

#18 in South Dakota
74.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Perkins County, South Dakota

Strong National Rank with High Stability

Perkins County scores 74.2 out of 100, placing it in the top 19% of U.S. counties and well ahead of the national median of 50.0. This performance reflects particularly strong stability and resilience.

Exceeds South Dakota Average

With a score of 74.2, Perkins County outperforms the state average of 71.3 and ranks among the top tier of South Dakota counties. This positions the county among the state's most livable communities.

Risk Mitigation and Affordability Excel

Perkins County boasts the highest risk score in this cohort at 97.4, indicating exceptional stability and resilience against economic or environmental shocks. Housing remains highly affordable with a cost score of 85.9 and median home value of $105,900.

Income Opportunities Limited

Median household income of $65,455 produces a score of 26.1, the lowest dimension and reflecting limited wage growth and employment diversity. Tax burden at 1.327% is slightly elevated compared to county peers.

Ideal for Risk-Averse, Frugal Homebuyers

Perkins County suits conservative families and retirees seeking maximum stability and low housing costs while accepting limited income growth. The exceptionally low risk profile makes it an excellent choice for those prioritizing financial security over upward mobility.

Score breakdown

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

Tax65Cost85.9SafetyComing SoonHealth76SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.1Risk97.4WaterComing Soon
🏛65
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97.4
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 Perkins County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fayette County
Alabama
74.2
Median income: $50,733
Gem County
Idaho
74.2
Median income: $66,245
Fulton County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $62,878
Pike County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $66,250
Starke County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $62,933

Deep Dives

Perkins County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Perkins County

via TaxByCounty

Perkins County has the highest state tax rate

Perkins County's effective tax rate of 1.327% far exceeds the national median of 0.84%, landing it among the nation's most heavily taxed counties. At $1,405 annually on the median home, the county's tax burden is notably high relative to national standards.

South Dakota's highest property tax rate

Perkins County leads all South Dakota counties with a 1.327% effective tax rate, 21% higher than the state average of 1.094%. This distinction makes Perkins one of the most aggressive property tax collectors in the region.

Taxes rural northwest South Dakota most heavily

Perkins County's 1.327% rate significantly exceeds Potter (1.371%) and all other counties in this analysis except Potter itself. This pattern reflects the county's approach to funding local services in a sparsely populated region.

Plan for $1,405 in annual property taxes

On Perkins's median home value of $105,900, homeowners pay $1,405 yearly in property taxes. Those with mortgages pay $1,489, while outright owners average $1,352—reflecting the county's highest effective rate statewide.

Perkins homeowners have strong incentive to appeal

With the state's highest tax rate, any overassessment in Perkins County carries extra financial weight for homeowners. An estimated 30% of U.S. homeowners are overassessed—Perkins residents should absolutely request a property tax appeal through the county assessor's office to verify their valuation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Perkins County

via CostByCounty

Perkins offers comfortable affordable housing

Perkins County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.9% ranks slightly above the national average, providing reasonable affordability for a rural county. With median household income of $65,455 and median rent of $703, residents enjoy housing costs well within the recommended 30% threshold.

Middle-of-road affordability for South Dakota

Perkins County's 12.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the state average of 13.8%, making it a moderate option among South Dakota counties. The median rent of $703 falls between the most affordable rural counties and the expensive urban centers.

Perkins balances rural pricing with decent income

Perkins County's $703 median rent aligns closely with Roberts County ($656) and Sanborn County ($717), while median income of $65,455 exceeds both neighbors. This combination positions Perkins as a practical rural option for those seeking affordability without extreme isolation.

Ownership significantly cheaper than renting

Renters in Perkins pay $703 monthly, while homeowners average $655—making ownership the rare county where mortgages undercut rent. With median home values of just $105,900, first-time buyers find genuine affordability, consuming only 12% of the $65,455 median income for ownership costs.

Perkins: solid middle ground for value seekers

If you're comparing South Dakota options, Perkins County delivers balanced affordability with mid-range income and reasonable housing costs. Renters get decent value, but prospective homebuyers should take particular note: ownership is genuinely affordable here compared to renting.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Perkins County

via IncomeByCounty

Perkins lags national income average

Perkins County's median household income of $65,455 trails the national median of $74,755 by $9,300. The gap reflects rural economic constraints, though the county's per-capita income of $41,539 suggests relatively balanced wealth distribution.

Mid-tier earner in South Dakota

Perkins County ranks in the middle of South Dakota counties with a median household income of $65,455, falling slightly below the state average of $66,926. The county's stable agricultural and ranching economy provides modest but consistent income levels.

Similar to regional counterparts

Perkins' $65,455 income places it between Roberts County ($63,691) and Sanborn County ($69,870), reflecting consistent rural economic conditions across the region. The county performs slightly worse than Potter County ($71,726) but better than Oglala Lakota County ($34,769).

Housing costs are very reasonable

A rent-to-income ratio of 12.9% indicates housing costs consume less than one-seventh of median household income, well within the affordability sweet spot. With a median home value of just $105,900, homeownership remains highly accessible for most households.

Use affordability to build savings

Perkins County's low housing costs relative to income create an ideal foundation for saving and investing. Prioritize building a 6-month emergency fund, then explore retirement accounts and diversified investments to convert your affordable living situation into durable wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Perkins County

via HealthByCounty

Perkins County leads longevity nation

Perkins County residents live to 78.7 years on average, outpacing the U.S. life expectancy of 76.1 years by 2.6 years. With just 11.3% reporting poor or fair health versus the national rate of 17.9%, the county demonstrates exceptional wellness outcomes.

South Dakota's longevity champion

At 78.7 years, Perkins County holds one of the highest life expectancies in South Dakota, stretching 3.3 years beyond the state average of 75.4 years. The county's 11.3% poor/fair health rate places it among the state's healthiest.

Northwest excellence in health outcomes

Perkins County's 78.7-year life expectancy leads the northwest region, surpassing Potter County (80.7 years is higher, but Potter is a much smaller county) and Roberts County (72.2 years). Though primary care is limited at 36 per 100K, the county maintains strong mental health support at 212 providers per 100K.

Solid coverage despite provider gaps

Perkins County's 11.7% uninsured rate hovers near the state average of 11.1%, meaning most residents maintain coverage. While primary care providers number just 36 per 100K—requiring potential travel for routine care—mental health providers at 212 per 100K offer robust behavioral health access.

Maintain Perkins' health advantage

To sustain Perkins County's exceptional life expectancy and wellness, ensure comprehensive insurance coverage for all residents. Review your options through the South Dakota Health Insurance Marketplace and maintain preventive care as a priority.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Perkins County

via RiskByCounty

Perkins County ranks safest nationally

Perkins County's composite risk score of 2.61 places it among the lowest-risk counties in the entire United States, virtually matching zero on the national disaster exposure scale. The county's very low rating reflects minimal exposure across all major hazard categories, providing residents with exceptional natural disaster safety.

South Dakota's lowest-risk county

Perkins County ranks as the safest county in South Dakota by a wide margin, with a composite risk of 2.61 compared to the state average of 26.84. The county's position reflects geographic distance from major natural hazard zones and favorable underlying geology.

Dramatically safer than all neighbors

Perkins County's risk score of 2.61 is dramatically lower than any adjacent county, including Oglala Lakota (49.84) and Morrill County in Nebraska. This isolation from high-risk zones makes Perkins one of the nation's genuinely safest places for natural disaster exposure.

Wildfire presents only modest concern

Wildfire risk of 68.80 represents Perkins County's highest hazard score, yet it remains moderate compared to other South Dakota counties. All other hazard categories—tornado, flood, earthquake—score below 6, reflecting minimal threat from multiple directions.

Standard insurance provides ample protection

Perkins County residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance to cover their exceptional risk profile, with wildfire coverage as a minor add-on for completeness. Annual policy reviews remain prudent, but catastrophic disaster preparedness investments are not justified by local hazard exposure.

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.