countyscore
59.7
County Score
Safety 84.2Disaster Risk 76Income & Jobs 74.9

County Report Card

About Turner County, South Dakota

Strong Livability in the Heartland

Turner County achieves a composite score of 59.3, comfortably outdistancing the national median of 50.0. This indicates a high-performing community with strong fundamentals in income and safety. It represents the best of Midwest stability and growth.

Above the South Dakota Average

With a 59.3 score, Turner County exceeds the state average of 55.9. It is one of the more affluent rural counties in the region, driven by its proximity to larger economic centers. Residents enjoy better health and safety outcomes than most of their state peers.

High Incomes and Community Safety

The county excels in economic strength with an income score of 77.7 and a median household income of $75,283. Safety is another major draw, with a score of 84.2 and a risk score of 76.0. Health outcomes are also strong at 73.3, ensuring a high quality of life.

Navigating Education and Tax Burdens

School performance is a primary area for growth with a score of 36.9. The tax score of 35.0 reflects an effective rate of 1.041%, which is moderate but notable for the area. Water quality also leaves room for improvement with a score of 45.4.

A Reliable Choice for Professionals

Turner County is ideal for working professionals who want high safety and strong earnings without moving to a big city. The $199,000 median home value offers good value for the quality of life provided. It is a balanced, upwardly mobile community for growing families.

2040608010037.75984.273.336.974.97645.438.8Tax37.7Cost59Safety84.2Health73.3Schools36.9Income74.9Risk76Water45.4Weather38.859.7/100
This county
National avg
5 above average4 below average

Turner County DNA

Foverall

How Turner County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Turner County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (84.2/100) but notably weak in Weather & Climate (38.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
37.7-14.299999999999997
Cost
59+11
Safety
84.2+29.200000000000003
Health
73.3+23.299999999999997
Schools
36.9-17.1
Income
74.9+23.900000000000006
Risk
76+29
Water
45.4-12.600000000000001
Weather
38.8-17.200000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Turner County?

Many homeowners in Turner County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$222,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$742/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$222,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $75,771/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.4

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Turner County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Turner County

via TaxByCounty

Turner's rate slightly below national norm

Turner County's 1.041% effective rate sits modestly below the national median of 1.56%, positioning it in the nation's slightly-below-average tier. The median property tax of $2,072 trails the national median of $2,690, reflecting both a lower rate and modest home values.

Turner ranks just below state average

Turner's 1.041% rate essentially matches South Dakota's state average of 1.094%, making it representative of typical statewide conditions. The median tax of $2,072 falls below the state average of $1,785 due to Turner's higher median home value of $199,000 combined with a slightly lower effective rate.

Turner occupies middle-ground position

Turner's 1.041% rate sits between low-tax Sully (0.854%), Tripp (0.902%) and higher-tax Stanley (1.426%), occupying the regional middle. Among its peer counties, Turner offers moderate tax conditions that align with statewide norms.

Median Turner home: $2,072 yearly tax

Turner County's median home valued at $199,000 generates $2,072 in annual property taxes at the current rate. Including mortgage adjustments, total tax liability reaches $2,255—representative of typical South Dakota conditions.

Standard assessment appeals apply here

Turner County homeowners benefit from the same appeal opportunities as all South Dakota residents, with overassessment possible at any tax level. Given Turner's representative tax rates, pursuing a property tax appeal could still deliver meaningful savings for vigilant property owners.

Income & Jobs in Turner County

via IncomeByCounty

Turner slightly outpaces U.S. median

Turner County's median household income of $75,283 edges past the national median of $74,755 by less than 1%, placing it squarely in America's middle-class mainstream. Per capita income of $36,569 runs about 4% below the national average, reflecting a relatively equitable income distribution.

Top-tier earner in South Dakota

Turner County ranks among South Dakota's highest-income counties, with median household income 12.5% above the state average of $66,926. This strong showing reflects Turner's diversified economy and agricultural productivity.

Turner punches above rural average

Turner's $75,283 income trails only Stanley County ($77,000) and Union County ($84,137) among regional peers, comfortably outpacing Sully ($70,250), Walworth ($62,722), and Tripp ($58,854). Turner's competitive position demonstrates the county's economic resilience and opportunity.

Housing costs remain manageable

Turner's rent-to-income ratio of 11.9% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, allowing households to dedicate less than one-eighth of income to housing. The median home value of $199,000, while substantial, remains accessible to households earning $75,000.

Turner households can invest strategically

Turner County families earning $75,000 enjoy above-average income cushion and favorable housing ratios, positioning them well for wealth building. Maximize retirement savings, establish investment portfolios, and consider real estate investments to compound long-term financial security.

Safety in Turner County

via CrimeByCounty

High Safety Standards in Turner

Turner County's total crime rate of 368.4 per 100,000 is a mere fraction of the 2,385.5 national average. This earns the county an elite safety score of 99.4.

Turner County Beats State Benchmarks

The county crime rate is less than half of the South Dakota state average of 788.1. Backed by data from three reporting agencies, these figures represent a comprehensive and positive safety outlook.

Safe Comparison with Nearby Counties

Turner County stands out as a regional safe haven, maintaining lower crime rates than several more populated neighbors. The involvement of three separate agencies ensures a transparent look at local public safety.

Low Violence, Manageable Property Crime

Violent crime is kept to 103.6 per 100,000, while property crime sits at 264.8. These numbers mean the average resident is highly unlikely to encounter serious criminal activity in their daily lives.

Maintaining Your Home's Security

To keep Turner County safe, focus on preventing opportunistic property crimes. Locking doors and securing valuables out of sight in vehicles are the most effective daily habits for residents.

Weather & Climate in Turner County

via WeatherByCounty

A More Humid Plains Profile

While specific temperature data is limited for Turner, its 26.5 inches of precipitation exceeds the state average. This suggests a more moisture-rich environment than the national median for this latitude.

Leading the State in Precipitation

Turner is one of the wetter counties in South Dakota, recording nearly four inches more precipitation than the 22.7-inch state average. It serves as a key agricultural zone due to this extra moisture.

Snowier Than Its Southern Neighbors

The county records 40.9 inches of snowfall annually, which is higher than Yankton's 38.1 inches. This extra winter moisture defines the local seasonal experience.

Wet Summers and Active Winters

Though temperature averages are unavailable, the 26.5 inches of rain mostly falls during the growing season. Winter remains active with over 40 inches of total snowfall.

Manage Moisture and Winter Travel

Homeowners should focus on basement drainage and moisture control to handle the high precipitation rate. Reliable winter tires are recommended to navigate the 40.9-inch annual snowfall.

Soil Quality in Turner County

via SoilByCounty

Top-Tier Soil Quality

Turner County boasts a high soil score of 69.4, significantly outperforming the state average of 61.2. The pH is a perfectly neutral 7.00, providing an ideal environment for most plant species.

Highly Versatile Texture

Silt leads the composition at 45.8%, followed by 28.3% sand and 25.9% clay. This balanced distribution creates a versatile soil that manages nutrients and water with high efficiency.

Excellent Fertility and Water

With an organic matter content of 3.96%, the county exceeds the South Dakota average. The available water capacity of 0.196 in/in is also superior to the state average, signaling excellent productivity.

Productive and Stable Grounds

While official drainage classifications are not listed, the high soil score and balanced texture suggest favorable moisture conditions. This soil reliably supports robust root systems for both crops and native plants.

Abundance in Zone 5a

Hardiness Zone 5a supports a wide range of fruit trees and diverse vegetables. You have some of the best soil in South Dakota, making this the perfect time to plant a productive garden.

Lawn Care in Turner County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Growing in Turner County

Turner County has a difficult lawn score of 38.5, well below both the national and state averages. Growers in this Zone 5a region must work harder to maintain a lush green space.

Higher Rainfall But High Volatility

The county receives 26.5 inches of annual precipitation, which is higher than the South Dakota average of 22.8. While local temperature data is limited, the increased rainfall provides a helpful boost for cool-season turf.

Ideal pH for Nutrient Access

The soil pH is a perfect 7.00, ensuring that grass can easily access fertilizers and minerals. The texture is well-distributed between 25.9% clay and 28.3% sand, providing a stable foundation for root growth.

Forty Weeks of Drought Pressure

Turner County has suffered through 40 weeks of drought in the past year, and the entire county is currently abnormally dry. Constant monitoring and water conservation strategies are mandatory for survival here.

Choose Resilient Grass Varieties

Because of the frequent drought cycles, consider drought-tolerant Kentucky Bluegrass hybrids or fescues. Even though frost dates are not locally recorded, following the regional Zone 5a guidelines for early May planting is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Turner County's county score?
Turner County, South Dakota has a composite county score of 59.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Turner County rank among counties in South Dakota?
Turner County ranks #33 among all counties in South Dakota on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Turner County, South Dakota?
The median annual property tax in Turner County is $2,181, with an effective tax rate of 0.98%. This earns Turner County a tax score of 37.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Turner County?
The median household income in Turner County, South Dakota is $75,771 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Turner County earns an income score of 74.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Turner County, South Dakota a good place to live?
Turner County scores 59.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #33 in South Dakota. The best way to evaluate Turner County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Turner County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.