CountyScore

Tripp County

South Dakota · SD

#44 in South Dakota
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Tripp County, South Dakota

Tripp County exceeds national baseline

Tripp County's composite score of 69.3 runs nearly 40 percent above the national median of 50.0, reflecting solid rural livability. The score is supported by strong tax efficiency and affordable housing across the region.

Slightly below South Dakota average

Tripp County scores 69.3 versus South Dakota's state average of 71.3, placing it near the middle of the state's county rankings. The small gap indicates typical rural South Dakota livability standards.

Low taxes and affordable housing

Tripp County's tax score of 76.9 reflects an effective tax rate of just 0.902%, tied for the second-lowest among these eight counties. The cost score of 82.8 supports affordability with median home values of $137,100 and rents under $810.

Income and health need strengthening

The income score of 21.8 reflects median household earnings of only $58,854, well below state and national standards. Health outcomes score 61.5, suggesting access to care or preventive health practices could improve across the county.

Suited for budget-conscious settlers

Tripp County appeals to families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and housing costs in a stable, low-risk rural setting. Those seeking higher incomes or robust health services should explore more developed regions.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.9Cost82.8SafetyComing SoonHealth61.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.8Risk63.6WaterComing Soon
🏛76.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡63.6
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 Tripp County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
Alaska
69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
Arkansas
69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Tripp County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tripp County

via TaxByCounty

Tripp offers tax relief below national

Tripp County's 0.902% effective rate sits significantly below the national median of 1.56%, placing it in the lowest quartile nationwide. The median property tax of $1,237 represents less than half the national median of $2,690, making Tripp distinctly tax-friendly.

Tripp ranks among state's tax havens

At 0.902%, Tripp County's rate falls 18% below South Dakota's state average of 1.094%, positioning it as one of the state's more affordable jurisdictions. The median tax of $1,237 runs well below the state average of $1,785, offering measurable savings for property owners.

Tripp taxes less than most neighbors

Tripp's 0.902% rate beats Spink County (1.311%) and Stanley County (1.426%) while matching Sully County (0.854%) as the region's lowest-tax options. Among its peer counties, only Sully offers comparable tax advantages for homeowners.

Median Tripp home: $1,237 yearly tax

A homeowner with Tripp County's median property value of $137,100 pays approximately $1,237 in annual property taxes. Total tax liability including mortgage considerations reaches $1,404—well below regional averages and among the state's lowest burdens.

Appeals unlock additional tax savings

Tripp County's already-favorable tax rates make assessment appeals especially worthwhile—even small validation gaps generate meaningful relief. Homeowners in low-tax counties like Tripp should still verify their valuations are fair and not inflated by assessor error.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Tripp County

via CostByCounty

Tripp County rents strain tight budgets

At 16.5%, Tripp County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the South Dakota state average of 13.8% by nearly 3 percentage points, signaling housing affordability challenges. With median household income at $58,854 and median rent at $809, renters here spend disproportionately on housing relative to earnings.

Below-average affordability in South Dakota

Tripp County ranks among South Dakota's less affordable counties for renters, with a rent-to-income ratio well above the state average. The median rent of $809 is only modestly below the state median of $756, yet household incomes lag significantly behind the state average.

Tripp's rents burden lower incomes

Tripp County's median rent of $809 falls between Sully County ($913) and Spink County ($691), but Tripp's median household income of $58,854 is notably lower than both neighbors. This income disadvantage makes Tripp's housing costs feel more burdensome despite moderate rent levels.

Rent and ownership costs compared

Renters spend 16.5% of income on housing, while homeowners allocate roughly 14.9% to monthly ownership costs ($730 against $58,854 income). Both renting and buying stretch household budgets more tightly in Tripp County than in higher-income surrounding areas.

Tripp County for job-seekers with offers

Relocators should approach Tripp County carefully, as moderate rents combine with below-average incomes to create affordability pressure. If considering a move, secure employment with wages above the county median of $58,854 to ensure housing remains manageable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Tripp County

via IncomeByCounty

Tripp trails national income benchmarks

Tripp County's median household income of $58,854 falls 21% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among lower-income rural counties nationally. Per capita income of $31,961 runs about 10% below the national average, reflecting limited earning opportunities across the county.

Below-average earner statewide

Tripp County's median household income runs 12% below South Dakota's state average of $66,926, ranking it in the lower half of the state's income distribution. This underperformance reflects Tripp's reliance on agriculture and limited diversification of economic drivers.

Trapped between haves and have-nots

Tripp's $58,854 income significantly outpaces Todd County's $39,148 but lags Stanley ($77,000), Turner ($75,283), and Union ($84,137) by substantial margins. This middle-lower positioning shows Tripp occupies the struggling middle of South Dakota's rural income spectrum.

Housing costs strain thin budgets

Tripp's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% consumes one-sixth of household earnings, pushing toward unaffordable levels for families earning under $60,000. With median home values at $137,100, homeownership requires households to dedicate outsized income shares to housing.

Tripp residents must pursue diversification

Households earning $58,854 face tight budgets and limited surplus for investment; the path forward requires either increasing household income or reducing housing burden. Tripp County families should explore side employment, skill upgrading, and cooperative economic ventures to build financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Tripp County

via HealthByCounty

Tripp's health outcomes lag U.S. averages

At 74.5 years, Tripp County's life expectancy falls about 5 years short of the national average. One in five residents (19.0%) report poor or fair health, indicating widespread health challenges.

Below-average health within South Dakota

Tripp's life expectancy of 74.5 years is the second-lowest in this group and trails South Dakota's 75.4-year average. The county faces significant health headwinds compared to state peers.

Strong mental health, weak primary care access

Tripp County boasts 427 mental health providers per 100,000—far exceeding regional peers—yet has only 90 primary care physicians per 100K. This mismatch means residents may lack preventive care despite strong behavioral health resources.

Highest uninsured rate creates care barriers

At 16.2% uninsured, Tripp County has the highest uninsured rate in this group, nearly 5 percentage points above the state average. Combined with primary care provider gaps, this uninsured burden leaves residents vulnerable.

Insurance is the gateway to better health

With 1 in 6 Tripp County residents uninsured, coverage gaps are real and urgent. Head to Healthcare.gov to explore your options and start building access to preventive and primary care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Tripp County

via RiskByCounty

Tripp County's risk exceeds national baseline

With a composite risk score of 36.45, Tripp County ranks above the national average and falls in the Very Low category. This reflects above-average exposure to multiple natural disaster types.

Tripp ranks in South Dakota's higher-risk group

Tripp County scores 36.45, exceeding the state average of 26.84 by 36 percent, placing it among the state's more hazard-exposed counties. Only a handful of South Dakota counties face comparable risk levels.

Tripp is part of a high-risk cluster

Tripp County's 36.45 aligns closely with Todd County (36.61) and Union County (37.12), forming a high-risk corridor in the region. These three counties face notably elevated hazards compared to Stanley (5.06) and Sully (6.33).

Wildfire, flood, and tornado threats converge

Tripp County faces significant wildfire risk (79.10), substantial tornado exposure (37.69), and elevated flood danger (37.12). This convergence of three major hazards requires residents to prepare for diverse disaster scenarios.

Layer your insurance for maximum protection

Tripp County homeowners should maintain comprehensive coverage for fire, wind/hail, and flood—ideally through separate policies for optimal protection. Regularly update your coverage to reflect property improvements and changing risk conditions.

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.