CountyScore

Todd County

South Dakota · SD

#66 in South Dakota
56.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Todd County, South Dakota

Todd County faces significant headwinds

Todd County's composite score of 56.6 stands above the national median of 50.0 but trails most peer counties significantly. The score masks deep challenges in income, health, and tax burden that require urgent policy attention.

Lowest-scoring county in this cohort

Todd County's 56.6 score falls 14.7 points below South Dakota's state average of 71.3, indicating it struggles with livability fundamentals compared to other state counties. This gap highlights concentrated economic and health challenges.

Exceptional housing affordability

Todd County's cost score of 92.9 is the highest among all eight counties, with median home values of just $45,200 and rents at $537—exceptional affordability. This represents one of the most accessible housing markets in the region.

Severe income and health disparities

Todd County's income score of 9.0 reflects a median household income of only $39,148, among the lowest nationally. The health score of 38.7 also signals significant public health challenges requiring comprehensive intervention.

Requires targeted development investment

Todd County suits only those with very limited budgets or deep community ties; livability constraints are substantial. Prospective residents should carefully assess health access, employment options, and economic mobility before relocating.

Score breakdown

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

Tax39.7Cost92.9SafetyComing SoonHealth38.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome9Risk63.4WaterComing Soon
🏛39.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠92.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤38.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡63.4
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 Todd County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Palm Beach County
Florida
56.6
Median income: $81,115
Suffolk County
Massachusetts
56.6
Median income: $92,859
Franklin County
Ohio
56.6
Median income: $73,795
Johnson County
Texas
56.6
Median income: $81,826
Parker County
Texas
56.6
Median income: $102,099

Deep Dives

Todd County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Todd County

via TaxByCounty

Todd's rate ranks among nation's highest

Todd County's 2.226% effective rate stands far above the national median of 1.56%, placing it in the top tier of American counties for tax burden. This exceptional rate reflects Todd's unique economic and property value circumstances compared to national norms.

Todd carries South Dakota's heaviest load

Todd County's 2.226% rate more than doubles South Dakota's state average of 1.094%, marking it as the state's most heavily taxed county by far. Despite this steep rate, Todd's median property tax of just $1,006 remains lowest in the sample due to an extremely low median home value of $45,200.

Todd's rate dwarfs all regional peers

Todd's 2.226% rate crushes every neighboring county—Tripp (0.902%), Sully (0.854%), Walworth (1.435%), and others—by massive margins. This exceptional rate reflects Todd's distinct demographic and economic profile within the region.

Todd median home: $1,006 yearly tax

Despite the highest effective rate in the sample, a typical Todd County home valued at $45,200 generates only $1,006 in annual property taxes. With mortgage considerations, tax liability reaches $1,324—lowest in the region due to the county's significantly lower home valuations.

Appeals matter most at highest rates

Todd County residents face the steepest tax rates in South Dakota, making assessment appeals particularly valuable for tax relief. Even modest reductions in assessed value compound into substantial annual savings given Todd's exceptionally high effective rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Todd County

via CostByCounty

Todd County faces acute affordability crisis

Todd County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% far exceeds the South Dakota state average of 13.8% and signals severe housing affordability strain. With a median household income of just $39,148—barely half the national median of $74,755—renters pay $537 monthly for housing that consumes an outsized portion of household earnings.

South Dakota's most strained housing market

Todd County ranks among the least affordable counties in South Dakota, with income levels significantly below the state average and a rent-to-income ratio well above the state benchmark. The combination of low household incomes and elevated housing cost burdens reveals a county struggling with economic inequality.

Todd County's income crisis magnifies costs

While Todd County's median rent of $537 is the lowest in the region, the median household income of $39,148 is dramatically lower than surrounding counties like Tripp ($58,854) and Walworth ($62,722). This income deficit transforms even modest rents into unaffordable burdens.

Housing dominates household budgets

Renters in Todd County allocate 16.5% of income to rent, while homeowners spend roughly 12.4% on ownership costs ($405 against $39,148 income). For many households, housing consumes a larger share of budget than is sustainable, leaving limited funds for other necessities.

Todd County requires careful consideration

Todd County's combination of low income levels and high housing burden ratios makes it challenging for most relocators unless employment offers substantial local wages. Job seekers should verify local employment conditions before considering a move, as the county's economic fundamentals differ significantly from higher-income neighbors.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Todd County

via IncomeByCounty

Todd faces severe income challenges

Todd County's median household income of $39,148 represents roughly 48% of the U.S. median of $74,755—one of the starkest income gaps in America. Per capita income of just $13,849 trails the national average by 82%, signaling systemic economic disadvantage across the entire county.

Lowest-earning county in South Dakota

Todd County ranks dead last statewide, with median household income 41% below South Dakota's average of $66,926 and per capita income 61% below the state average of $35,667. This persistent gap reflects Todd's placement within the Rosebud Indian Reservation and resulting structural economic challenges.

Todd struggles amid regional inequality

Todd's $39,148 median household income is less than two-thirds of any neighboring county, with Tripp County ($58,854) earning 50% more and Union County ($84,137) nearly doubling Todd's median. This stark regional disparity underscores Todd's distinct economic position within South Dakota.

Housing affordability paradox

Despite a rent-to-income ratio of 16.5%, Todd County faces deeper affordability stress than raw percentages suggest—households earning $39,000 struggle with basic needs before housing. The median home value of $45,200 remains the state's lowest, yet represents nearly 1.2 years of median household income.

Todd needs systemic economic support

Todd County households face income constraints that make traditional wealth-building strategies difficult; priority must shift to maximizing available benefits, education opportunities, and local economic development. Community members should explore microfinance programs, skill-training initiatives, and local business incubators designed for low-income regions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Todd County

via HealthByCounty

Todd faces profound health crisis

Todd County's life expectancy of 58.8 years is more than 18 years below the U.S. average—the lowest in this group by far. Nearly one-third (33.2%) of residents report poor or fair health, a rate that rivals the worst-performing U.S. counties.

Severe health disparities within South Dakota

Todd County's life expectancy trails South Dakota's state average by 16.6 years, creating a stark health divide. The 33.2% poor/fair health rate indicates systemic challenges to community wellness.

Lowest primary care access in the region

Todd has only 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than one-quarter of Stanley County's 99. Mental health support is available at 98 providers per 100K, but primary care scarcity limits preventive care.

Health insurance gap compounds existing barriers

Todd County's uninsured rate of 13.2% exceeds the state average, meaning coverage barriers compound provider shortages. The combination of limited providers and uninsured residents creates compounding obstacles to care.

Health coverage is your first step forward

In Todd County, securing insurance is critical—13% of residents lack coverage, making access even harder. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to enroll and get connected to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Todd County

via RiskByCounty

Todd County faces above-average natural risks

Todd County scores 36.61 on the composite risk scale, significantly higher than the national average and placing it in the Very Low category. This county experiences elevated exposure across multiple hazard types.

Todd ranks among South Dakota's riskier counties

At 36.61, Todd County exceeds the state average of 26.84 and ranks among the state's higher-risk areas. Only a few South Dakota counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.

Todd faces elevated risks in its region

Todd County's 36.61 score ranks it significantly higher than Stanley (5.06) and Sully (6.33) but compares closely to Tripp County (36.45) and Union County (37.12). This positions Todd in the higher-risk tier of its peer group.

Wildfire and tornado hazards dominate

Wildfire risk leads at 94.08—among the highest in South Dakota—followed by tornado risk (41.70) and flood risk (28.31). Residents face compounded exposure to fire, severe weather, and water hazards.

Invest in comprehensive disaster coverage

Todd County residents should secure robust homeowners insurance that covers fire, wind, hail, and flood damage. Consider additional coverage riders and maintain defensible space around structures to reduce wildfire vulnerability.

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.