CountyScore

Sanborn County

South Dakota · SD

#20 in South Dakota
73.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Sanborn County, South Dakota

Strong National Rank, Upper Fifth

Sanborn County scores 73.6 out of 100, placing it in the top 19% of U.S. counties and well ahead of the national median of 50.0. This strong performance reflects solid, consistent livability across multiple dimensions.

Exceeds South Dakota Average

With a score of 73.6, Sanborn County outperforms the state average of 71.3 and ranks among the top tier of South Dakota counties. This positions it as one of the state's most livable rural communities.

Stability and Affordability Shine

Sanborn County delivers exceptional risk resilience at 96.5, the second-highest in this cohort, indicating strong stability and economic resilience. Housing affordability remains excellent with a cost score of 84.2 and median home value of $138,500.

Income Opportunity Remains Limited

Median household income of $69,870 produces a score of 29.0, indicating limited wage growth and employment diversity. Tax burden at 1.264% is slightly elevated compared to peer counties.

Perfect for Stability-Seeking Homeowners

Sanborn County suits conservative families and retirees seeking maximum economic resilience and affordable housing with strong community stability. The high risk score indicates this county can weather economic downturns well, making it ideal for risk-averse households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.7Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth73.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome29Risk96.5WaterComing Soon
🏛66.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡96.5
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 Sanborn County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Scott County
Arkansas
73.6
Median income: $45,955
Ontonagon County
Michigan
73.6
Median income: $51,844
Lake County
Minnesota
73.6
Median income: $75,621
Redwood County
Minnesota
73.6
Median income: $67,024
Putnam County
Missouri
73.6
Median income: $56,875

Deep Dives

Sanborn County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sanborn County

via TaxByCounty

Sanborn County taxes exceed the national average

Sanborn County's effective tax rate of 1.264% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the upper quarter of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median annual property tax of $1,750 reflects this above-average rate applied to lower median home values than the nation.

Third-highest taxes in South Dakota

Sanborn County's 1.264% effective rate ranks third statewide, behind only Perkins (1.327%) and Potter (1.371%). This places Sanborn notably above the state average of 1.094%, making it one of the state's more aggressive tax collectors.

Highest-taxed in the central county cluster

Sanborn's 1.264% rate leads the central South Dakota counties analyzed, exceeding Minnehaha (1.159%) and Moody (1.081%). Only Potter and Perkins to the west exceed Sanborn's tax rate in the eight-county group.

Budget around $1,750 for annual taxes

On Sanborn's median home value of $138,500, homeowners pay a median property tax of $1,750 yearly. Mortgage holders pay $1,482, while outright owners average $1,875—reflecting the county's elevated effective rate.

Sanborn residents should consider property appeals

With the third-highest tax rate in South Dakota, Sanborn homeowners benefit significantly from challenging potentially inflated assessments. An estimated 30% of homeowners nationally are overassessed—filing a property tax appeal is a straightforward, cost-free process that could reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sanborn County

via CostByCounty

Sanborn rents rank below national average

Sanborn County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.3% sits comfortably below the national average and reflects a rural housing market with solid affordability. With median household income of $69,870 and median rent of $717, residents enjoy housing stability typical of smaller South Dakota counties.

Among South Dakota's most affordable markets

Sanborn County's 12.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among the state's most affordable counties, sitting below the 13.8% state average. The $717 median rent reflects a quiet rural setting without the price premiums of urban or tourist-destination counties.

Sanborn balances affordability with income

Sanborn's $717 median rent aligns closely with Roberts County ($656) and Perkins County ($703), while median income of $69,870 exceeds both neighbors. This pairing positions Sanborn as a stable option for rural households seeking affordability with above-average earning potential.

Ownership and rental costs nearly identical

Renters pay $717 monthly while homeowners average $751—just $34 apart, reflecting accessible median home values of $138,500. Both housing types consume roughly 12% of the $69,870 median household income, providing genuine affordability across tenure options.

Sanborn: stable rural living with fair pricing

Sanborn County offers reliable affordability for families seeking small-town life: reasonable rents at $717, solid median income at $69,870, and balanced ownership costs. Whether renting or buying, you'll find housing costs consume a modest share of your earnings, leaving flexibility for other priorities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sanborn County

via IncomeByCounty

Sanborn trails national income standard

Sanborn County's median household income of $69,870 falls $4,885 short of the national median of $74,755. While below the U.S. average, the county still ranks within the lower-middle tier nationwide for rural areas.

Middle-range earner statewide

Sanborn County ranks fifth among South Dakota counties with a median household income of $69,870, 4.4% above the state average of $66,926. The county maintains a stable rural economy centered on agriculture and small business.

Competitive with surrounding regions

Sanborn's $69,870 income exceeds Roberts County ($63,691) and Perkins County ($65,455), while trailing Potter County ($71,726) and Moody County ($77,500). The county holds a comfortable middle position in the regional income spectrum.

Housing costs are very manageable

A rent-to-income ratio of 12.3% ranks among the state's best, with housing consuming only about one-eighth of median income. At a median home value of $138,500, Sanborn delivers both affordability and homeownership opportunity.

Build savings through smart housing

Sanborn County residents benefit from excellent housing affordability relative to income, creating space for serious saving and investing. Establish an automatic savings plan, take full advantage of employer retirement benefits, and consider speaking with a financial advisor about wealth-building strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sanborn County

via HealthByCounty

Sanborn County meets national norms

Sanborn County's 77.3-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 1.2 years, placing residents among healthier Americans. At 13.6% reporting poor or fair health, the county runs well below the national rate of 17.9%, indicating solid wellness overall.

Strong health outcomes in the state

Sanborn County's 77.3-year life expectancy outpaces South Dakota's 75.4-year average by 1.9 years. The county's 13.6% poor/fair health rate places it solidly above state norms for health security.

Rural health center serves the region

Sanborn County's 77.3-year life expectancy matches the strength of nearby Minnehaha County (77.0 years) and exceeds Roberts County (72.2 years) to the north. While primary care data is limited, mental health capacity at 83 per 100K shows adequate behavioral health infrastructure for a rural county.

Balanced coverage with limited data

Sanborn County's 10.8% uninsured rate falls slightly below South Dakota's 11.1% average, indicating strong insurance uptake among residents. While primary care provider data is unavailable, the county's 83 mental health providers per 100K suggests reasonable behavioral health access for a smaller rural community.

Keep Sanborn's coverage solid

Though Sanborn County maintains good insurance coverage rates, ensuring all residents stay protected strengthens community health. Check the South Dakota Health Insurance Marketplace to confirm your coverage and maintain preventive care as a priority.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sanborn County

via RiskByCounty

Sanborn ranks among nation's safest

Sanborn County scores just 3.56 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the lowest-risk counties in the entire United States. The county's very low rating sits well below South Dakota's county average of 26.84, reflecting exceptional natural disaster safety across all hazard categories.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

Sanborn County ranks in the bottom tier of South Dakota's 66 counties for disaster exposure, with one of the state's lowest composite risk scores. The county's position reflects favorable geographic and geologic characteristics that minimize exposure to natural hazards.

Safest county in its region

Sanborn County's risk score of 3.56 ranks among the lowest in South Dakota, providing residents with substantially safer conditions than most surrounding counties. The central location insulates the county from extreme wildfire, flood, and earthquake concentrations found in western regions.

Wildfire presents only modest concern

Wildfire risk of 66.98 represents Sanborn County's highest hazard score, yet it remains moderate compared to western South Dakota counties. Tornado risk of 26.84 is minimal, while flood and earthquake risks fall below 7, reflecting overall exceptional safety.

Standard insurance provides full protection

Sanborn County residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance to adequately cover their exceptional risk profile, with wildfire coverage as an optional minor addition. Annual policy reviews remain prudent, but the county's low hazard exposure means significant disaster preparation investments are not warranted.

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.