CountyScore

Roberts County

South Dakota · SD

#45 in South Dakota
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Roberts County, South Dakota

Above National Average, Upper Quarter

Roberts County scores 69.2 out of 100, placing it in the top 31% of U.S. counties and well above the national median of 50.0. This reflects above-average livability across key dimensions.

Slightly Below State Average

At 69.2, Roberts County falls just below South Dakota's 71.3 state average, placing it in the middle-upper range of counties statewide. Despite this, it remains a competitive performer nationally.

Affordability and Tax Efficiency Stand Out

Roberts County offers exceptional affordability with a cost score of 86.2 and median rent of just $656/month, among the lowest in the dataset. The effective tax rate of 1.050% provides strong fiscal efficiency for families and homeowners.

Health Access and Income Weak

Health outcomes score 60.2, the lowest in this cohort, suggesting limited access to quality medical services and wellness facilities. Median household income of $63,691 produces a score of 25.0, indicating few high-wage employment opportunities.

Best for Budget-Conscious Rural Seekers

Roberts County suits families prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and rural living over robust healthcare and income potential. This is ideal for remote workers with stable, outside income seeking affordable housing and a tight-knit community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.7Cost86.2SafetyComing SoonHealth60.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome25Risk62.2WaterComing Soon
🏛72.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.2
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 Roberts County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sierra County
California
69.2
Median income: $60,000
Teller County
Colorado
69.2
Median income: $80,666
Haralson County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $65,016
White County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $69,747
Stark County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $62,284

Deep Dives

Roberts County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Roberts County

via TaxByCounty

Roberts County taxes run above the national average

Roberts County's effective tax rate of 1.050% exceeds the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median annual tax of $1,460 is below the national median of $2,690 due to lower median home values in the county.

Mid-range taxes by South Dakota standards

Roberts County's 1.050% effective rate sits just below South Dakota's state average of 1.094%, making it a below-average tax jurisdiction within the state. Among the eight counties studied, Roberts ranks sixth in effective tax rate.

Lower taxes than Moody, higher than Sanborn

Roberts County's 1.050% rate falls between Moody (1.081%) and Sanborn (1.264%) in the comparison group. This northeast positioning reflects relatively moderate tax rates for its region.

Expect roughly $1,460 in annual property taxes

On Roberts's median home value of $139,100, the typical annual property tax bill is $1,460. Mortgage holders pay $2,033, while outright owners average $1,283—a wider variation than most counties studied.

Roberts homeowners can benefit from tax appeals

Even with below-average state tax rates, Roberts County residents should verify their property valuations are accurate. An estimated 30% of homeowners nationally are overassessed—requesting a property tax appeal through the county assessor's office is a simple, no-cost way to check.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Roberts County

via CostByCounty

Roberts delivers strong affordability nationwide

Roberts County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.4% ranks well below the national average and signals genuine housing affordability for residents. The median household income of $63,691 paired with modest median rent of $656 creates one of the most accessible housing markets in the region.

Roberts ranks among South Dakota's most affordable

At 12.4%, Roberts County's rent-to-income ratio sits below the state average of 13.8%, making it one of South Dakota's more affordable counties. The $656 median rent is among the lowest in this eight-county comparison, despite respectable median income of $63,691.

Roberts offers lowest rent with solid income

Roberts County's $656 median rent ranks second-lowest in the region, exceeded only by Oglala Lakota ($563), while the $63,691 median income substantially exceeds Oglala Lakota's. This combination—affordable rents plus livable incomes—makes Roberts an attractive option for rural households.

Ownership slightly pricier but remains accessible

Renters pay $656 monthly while homeowners average $693—a modest 5% premium reflecting median home values of $139,100. At these levels, both rental and ownership housing consume roughly 12-13% of the $63,691 median household income, leaving substantial room for other expenses.

Roberts County: true rural affordability

Roberts County delivers genuine affordability without extreme income sacrifice: median rents of $656 with incomes topping $63,000. If you prioritize housing cost relief and can embrace rural community life, Roberts offers one of the most accessible housing markets in South Dakota.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Roberts County

via IncomeByCounty

Roberts falls below national average

Roberts County's median household income of $63,691 lags the national median of $74,755 by $11,064. The gap reflects rural and tribal economic conditions that constrain household earnings in the region.

Lower-middle income in state

Roberts County ranks in the lower half of South Dakota counties with a median household income of $63,691, about 4.8% below the state average of $66,926. The county faces economic headwinds typical of rural, sparsely populated areas.

Lags most regional peers

Roberts' $63,691 income trails Sanborn County ($69,870), Potter County ($71,726), Perkins County ($65,455), and Moody County ($77,500). Only Oglala Lakota County ($34,769) ranks significantly lower, highlighting Roberts' relative economic challenge.

Housing remains very affordable

A rent-to-income ratio of 12.4% keeps housing costs manageable at less than one-seventh of income, a strength amid income constraints. With a median home value of $139,100, Roberts households can build equity affordably.

Leverage affordability creatively

While income lags state and national averages, Roberts County's low housing costs provide financial breathing room. Prioritize saving aggressively, explore side income opportunities, and work with local organizations to access skills training and economic development support.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Roberts County

via HealthByCounty

Roberts County faces urgent health crisis

Roberts County's 72.2-year life expectancy falls 3.9 years short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years, placing residents among the nation's lowest. At 19.7% reporting poor or fair health—well above the national rate of 17.9%—the county confronts serious health challenges.

Critical gap from state health standards

Roberts County's 72.2-year life expectancy trails South Dakota's 75.4-year average by 3.2 years, marking one of the state's lowest outcomes. At 19.7% poor/fair health, the county's rate substantially exceeds the state norm, signaling concentrated health vulnerability.

Severe disparities compared to region

Roberts County's 72.2-year life expectancy significantly lags neighboring Moody County (75.8 years) and Perkins County (78.7 years) to the east and west. At just 30 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest in the county set—residents face critical barriers to accessing preventive care.

Provider scarcity compounds coverage gaps

Roberts County's 14.8% uninsured rate ranks among the state's highest, and with only 30 primary care providers per 100K, access is severely constrained. The combination of limited coverage, minimal primary care, and only 108 mental health providers per 100K creates a healthcare access emergency.

Coverage is urgent in Roberts County

With the lowest provider access in the county set and one of the highest uninsured rates, Roberts County residents urgently need insurance coverage. Enroll through the South Dakota Health Insurance Marketplace or contact local health services immediately to secure your health protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Roberts County

via RiskByCounty

Roberts County shows moderate-low risk

Roberts County scores 37.79 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low category but above South Dakota's average of 26.84. The county's overall exposure reflects moderate wildfire concern balanced against low tornado, flood, and earthquake threats.

Below-average risk for South Dakota

Roberts County ranks in the lower half of South Dakota's 66 counties for disaster exposure, with a composite risk of 37.79 that slightly exceeds the state average. The county's position reflects northeastern location with modest wildfire exposure but limited other hazard threats.

Higher risk than Potter County

Roberts County's composite risk of 37.79 exceeds nearby Potter County's 10.02 but remains substantially lower than western counties like Pennington (78.56). The difference reflects Roberts County's greater wildfire exposure while maintaining lower flood and earthquake risk than Black Hills regions.

Wildfire and tornado pose dual threat

Wildfire risk in Roberts County reaches 74.05, representing the primary hazard concern for the county's northeastern location. Tornado risk of 50.45 presents a secondary but meaningful threat, while flood and earthquake risks remain minimal below 10.

Emphasize wildfire and tornado coverage

Roberts County homeowners should ensure standard policies include wildfire and tornado coverage, as both hazards pose real threats to the region. Maintain 30 feet of defensible space around structures during dry seasons and keep a weather radio active during spring storm season for advance tornado warnings.

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.