CountyScore

Sully County

South Dakota · SD

#2 in South Dakota
78.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Sully County, South Dakota

Sully County leads South Dakota peers

Sully County's composite score of 78.5 ranks it in the top tier nationally, nearly 60 percent above the national median of 50.0. This exceptional performance reflects outstanding tax efficiency and health outcomes relative to most U.S. counties.

Top performer among South Dakota counties

Sully County's 78.5 score significantly exceeds South Dakota's 71.3 state average, positioning it as one of the state's most livable counties. The county demonstrates that rural South Dakota can deliver strong livability fundamentals.

Best-in-class taxes and health outcomes

Sully County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties at 0.854%, paired with the highest health score of 88.0. The combination of minimal tax burden and excellent health infrastructure creates a uniquely attractive environment.

Below-average household income levels

The income score of 29.2 and median household earnings of $70,250 represent the primary constraint on livability. While housing and taxes are exceptional, income growth opportunities would further strengthen the county's appeal.

Perfect for health-focused retirees

Sully County is ideal for retirees and professionals seeking minimal tax burden, excellent health care, and low disaster risk. Higher-income earners may find better opportunities elsewhere, but value-conscious families will thrive here.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.2Cost80.2SafetyComing SoonHealth88SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.2Risk93.7WaterComing Soon
🏛78.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤88
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡93.7
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 Sully County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kiowa County
Colorado
78.5
Median income: $56,389
Los Alamos County
New Mexico
78.5
Median income: $143,188
Kidder County
North Dakota
78.5
Median income: $61,850
Logan County
Nebraska
78.6
Median income: $71,650
McHenry County
North Dakota
78.6
Median income: $80,614

Deep Dives

Sully County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sully County

via TaxByCounty

Sully offers unusually low tax burden

Sully County's 0.854% effective rate ranks among America's lowest, sitting well below the national median of 1.56%. With a median property tax of just $1,697, Sully homeowners pay 63% of the national median—a significant advantage for property holders.

Sully: South Dakota's tax bargain

At 0.854%, Sully County's rate is 22% below South Dakota's state average of 1.094%, making it the county's most tax-friendly jurisdiction. The median tax of $1,697 falls below the state average of $1,785 despite Sully having a higher median home value of $198,700.

Sully beats all neighboring counties

Sully's 0.854% rate significantly undercuts Spink County (1.311%), Stanley County (1.426%), and Tripp County (0.902%) in the surrounding region. Among all peer counties examined, Sully offers the most attractive tax position for homeowners seeking to minimize property tax burden.

Sully median home: $1,697 yearly tax

A typical Sully County home worth $198,700 carries an annual property tax of $1,697—among the region's lowest. Even with mortgage adjustments, annual taxes reach only $1,813, meaning Sully residents enjoy measurably lower tax obligations than most neighboring areas.

Even low rates benefit from appeals

Sully County homeowners, despite already enjoying below-average tax rates, should still verify their assessments are accurate—overvaluation occurs regardless of county. An assessment appeal could push already-favorable taxes even lower while ensuring fairness in property valuation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sully County

via CostByCounty

Sully County rents strain household budgets

At 15.6%, Sully County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the South Dakota state average of 13.8% and signals housing stress for renters. With median gross rent at $913 against a median household income of just $70,250, renters here spend more than one dollar in every seven on rent alone.

Above-average housing burden in South Dakota

Sully County ranks among South Dakota's less affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio nearly 2 percentage points above the state average. The median rent of $913 stands $157 higher than South Dakota's overall median, positioning Sully as one of the pricier rental markets in the state.

Sully rents exceed most nearby counties

Sully County's $913 median rent rivals Stanley County ($896) while substantially outpacing Spink County ($691) and Tripp County ($809). For renters comparing the region, Sully represents one of the costlier options despite lower median incomes than some neighbors.

Rent consumes more income here

Renters in Sully County dedicate 15.6% of income to housing, while homeowners spend roughly 13.2% on monthly ownership costs ($773 against $70,250 income). Interestingly, buying is more affordable than renting in Sully County, a reversal from many markets.

Budget carefully if relocating to Sully

Sully County's high rent-to-income ratio makes it a challenging choice for budget-conscious relocators, despite its rural character and median home values around $198,700. Prospective residents should compare rental costs carefully with neighboring counties like Spink, where rents run noticeably lower.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sully County

via IncomeByCounty

Sully falls slightly below U.S. average

Sully County's median household income of $70,250 trails the national median of $74,755 by about 6%, reflecting the income headwinds typical of rural Great Plains counties. However, at $47,550 per capita, Sully's per capita income significantly outpaces the national average, indicating more equitable wealth distribution.

Mid-tier earner across South Dakota

Sully County's $70,250 median income runs about 5% above South Dakota's state average of $66,926, placing it solidly in the middle-to-upper range statewide. This consistent performance reflects Sully's stable agricultural and small-business economy.

Competitive within central region

Sully's $70,250 income trails Stanley County's $77,000 and Turner County's $75,283, but exceeds Walworth County ($62,722) and Tripp County ($58,854) significantly. The variance illustrates how proximity alone doesn't guarantee equal earning capacity across rural South Dakota.

Housing costs bite deeper here

Sully's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% pushes toward uncomfortable levels, consuming more than one-seventh of household earnings on housing despite a median home value of $198,700. This tension suggests Sully residents may need to balance homeownership dreams against other financial priorities.

Sully households must prioritize savings

With housing costs running higher than ideal, Sully County families earning $70,000 need disciplined budgeting to protect retirement savings and investment opportunities. Consider consulting a financial advisor to optimize home-buying timing and explore refinancing or lower-cost housing alternatives.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sully County

via HealthByCounty

Limited data, but strong health indicators visible

While Sully County's life expectancy data is unavailable, its 13.2% poor/fair health rate suggests outcomes comparable to national benchmarks. This metric alone indicates resilient community health.

Health outcomes suggest above-average standing

Sully's 13.2% poor/fair health rate falls below South Dakota's broader burden, though life expectancy data is limited. Available indicators place the county in the state's healthier tier.

Provider data incomplete, but coverage is strong

Primary care and mental health provider data for Sully are not currently available, but the county's coverage story is clear. At 6.5% uninsured, Sully boasts the lowest uninsured rate in this group.

Exceptional coverage despite provider data gaps

Just 6.5% of Sully County residents lack health insurance—less than half the state average of 11.1%. This strong coverage rate suggests residents have stable access to care, even with limited provider availability data.

Maintain Sully's coverage advantage

With 93.5% of residents already insured, Sully has built strong healthcare foundations. If you're among the uninsured minority, check Healthcare.gov today to complete the picture.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sully County

via RiskByCounty

Sully County sits safely below national risk

Sully County's composite risk score of 6.33 places it in the Very Low category and significantly below the national average. This exceptional safety profile reflects minimal exposure to major natural disaster hazards.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

At 6.33, Sully County ranks near the bottom of the risk scale in South Dakota, substantially below the state average of 26.84. Only a handful of counties statewide match this level of disaster resilience.

Sully is the calm center of its region

Sully County's 6.33 score places it among the safest neighbors, slightly higher than Stanley County (5.06) but far below Todd County (36.61) and Tripp County (36.45). It represents an island of stability in a more volatile regional landscape.

Wildfires present the main hazard

Wildfire risk is Sully County's leading concern at 70.58, though tornado (14.60) and flood (14.12) risks remain comparatively low. Earthquake exposure is minimal (6.77), contributing to the county's overall safety.

Maintain wildfire insurance and preparedness

Sully County residents should prioritize fire insurance and defensible space around structures, even as most other disaster risks remain minimal. Standard homeowners coverage supplemented with fire protection strategies provides adequate peace of mind.

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.