countyscore

Walworth County, South Dakota — County Report Card

SD

#42 in South Dakota
52.5
County Score
Water Quality 86Safety 78.6Soil Quality 63.6

County Report Card

About Walworth County, South Dakota

Consistent Performance on the National Scale

Walworth County earns a composite score of 50.6, maintaining a steady position right at the national median. It provides a reliable quality of life that avoids the extremes found in more volatile regions. This consistency makes it a safe bet for many relocating families.

Middle-Tier Standout in South Dakota

The county's score of 50.6 is slightly below the state average of 55.9 but remains competitive in key areas. It performs well in safety and water quality compared to its immediate neighbors. Walworth is a solid representative of the state's central-northern corridor.

Clean Water and Community Safety

Walworth County excels in water quality with a score of 86.0 and safety with a score of 78.6. The community provides a secure environment for residents to live and work. Home values are also quite accessible, with a median price of $130,000.

Navigating High Property Tax Rates

The tax score of 15.8 is a concern, driven by an effective tax rate of 1.435%. While income and school scores are in the 40s, they suggest that economic and educational investments could yield high returns. Balancing the tax burden with services remains a local priority.

A Reliable and Safe Choice

Walworth County is best suited for those who value clean infrastructure and personal safety. The $62,722 median income provides a comfortable lifestyle given the low $130,000 home values. It is a great location for individuals seeking a dependable, safe community with easy access to nature.

2040608010018.550.578.660.442.348.260.58637.9Tax18.5Cost50.5Safety78.6Health60.4Schools42.3Income48.2Risk60.5Water86Weather37.952.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Walworth County DNA

Foverall

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

Walworth County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (18.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
18.5-33.5
Cost
50.5
Safety
78.6+23.599999999999994
Health
60.4+10.399999999999999
Schools
42.3-11.700000000000003
Income
48.2
Risk
60.5+13.5
Water
86+28
Weather
37.9-18.1
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$136,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$926/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$136,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,026/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

37.8

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Walworth County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Walworth County

via TaxByCounty

Walworth's rate exceeds national median

Walworth County's 1.435% effective rate sits above the national median of 1.56%, positioning it in the nation's higher-tax tier. The median property tax of $1,866 falls short of the national median of $2,690, reflecting Walworth's moderate home values despite its elevated rate.

Walworth ranks among state's highest

Walworth's 1.435% rate significantly exceeds South Dakota's state average of 1.094%, placing it among the state's more heavily taxed counties. The median tax of $1,866 surpasses the state average of $1,785, driven by Walworth's above-average effective rate.

Walworth taxes heavily versus peers

Walworth's 1.435% rate trails only Stanley County's 1.426%, vastly exceeding Sully (0.854%), Tripp (0.902%), and Turner (1.041%) in the surrounding region. Among neighboring counties, Walworth represents the second-heaviest tax burden, beaten only by Stanley.

Median Walworth home: $1,866 yearly tax

A typical Walworth County home valued at $130,000 generates $1,866 in annual property taxes at the current rate. Including mortgage adjustments, total tax liability reaches $2,299—among the region's highest burdens relative to home values.

Assessment appeals combat high rates

Walworth County residents facing elevated effective rates should prioritize assessment appeals to challenge potential overvaluations. Properties in high-rate jurisdictions like Walworth benefit most from successful appeals, where rate compounds multiply savings from even modest assessment reductions.

Income & Jobs in Walworth County

via IncomeByCounty

Walworth lags behind U.S. income

Walworth County's median household income of $62,722 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 16%, placing it among the nation's lower-income rural counties. Per capita income of $37,717 runs about 7% above the national average, suggesting income concentration among fewer earners.

Below-average earner in South Dakota

Walworth County's median household income runs 6% below South Dakota's state average of $66,926, ranking it in the lower third of counties statewide. This underperformance reflects Walworth's limited economic diversity and dependence on agriculture and small-scale enterprise.

Walworth struggles among peers

Walworth's $62,722 income ranks sixth among the eight counties examined, outpacing only Todd ($39,148) and Tripp ($58,854) while falling well short of Stanley ($77,000) and Union ($84,137). This position signals Walworth's economic vulnerability within the region.

Housing affordability becomes critical

Walworth's rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% represents the state's highest burden, consuming nearly one-fifth of household earnings on housing costs despite a modest median home value of $130,000. This strain suggests many Walworth families must make difficult trade-offs between housing and other essential expenses.

Walworth needs economic diversification

Households earning $62,722 with housing consuming 18% of income have limited surplus for savings or investment; Walworth residents must focus first on cost reduction and income growth. Explore skills training, remote work opportunities, and local business development to break free from housing affordability pressures.

Safety in Walworth County

via CrimeByCounty

Walworth County is Statistically Secure

The total crime rate in Walworth County is 507.8 per 100,000, far below the national average of 2,385.5. This low rate secures an excellent safety score of 99.2 for the county.

Better Than the State Average

Walworth County's crime rate of 507.8 is significantly lower than the South Dakota average of 788.1. Its safety score of 99.2 also surpasses the state average of 98.8, indicating a high quality of life.

Comparing Well to Nearby Jurisdictions

Walworth County maintains a consistent safety profile compared to its neighbors, with data provided by two reporting agencies. This multi-agency reporting provides a reliable picture of local public safety efforts.

Low Rates of Violent Crime

Violent crime is low at 75.2 per 100,000, which is nearly half the state average of 131.6. Property crime remains the most common issue at 432.6, though it still falls well below national figures.

Securing Your Walworth Home

Most local incidents are property-related, so basic deterrents are your best defense. Consider a home security system and ensuring all windows and doors are properly locked at night.

Weather & Climate in Walworth County

via WeatherByCounty

Cold and Dry Northern Plains

Walworth County averages 45.0°F, placing it firmly in the cold-temperate zone. Its 18.2 inches of precipitation is well below the national median, characterizing it as a semi-arid region.

Slightly Cooler Than the State Average

The county's average temperature falls just below the South Dakota average of 45.6°F. It is also significantly drier than the state average for precipitation.

Very Dry Compared to Eastern Peers

With only 18.2 inches of rain, Walworth is much drier than Spink County's 22.8 inches. This limited moisture influences the local vegetation and agricultural choices.

Frigid Januaries and Clear Summers

January is very cold with a 15.2°F average, while summer highs reach a comfortable 70.6°F. The county sees 22 days of extreme heat and 33.6 inches of snow annually.

Invest in Efficient Home Heating

Prioritize home heating efficiency to manage the 18.3°F winter average. Xeriscaping is a practical choice for the yard to thrive in the low 18.2-inch annual rainfall.

Soil Quality in Walworth County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced and Productive Soils

Walworth County soil sits at a pH of 7.06, which is consistent with the state average. The county maintains a soil score of 63.6, placing it above the South Dakota baseline for quality.

Reliable Agricultural Texture

A healthy 46.1% silt and 23.3% clay define the texture, supported by 30.6% sand. This composition ensures the soil is neither too heavy nor too porous for standard agricultural or garden use.

Healthy Organic and Water Reserves

The 3.37% organic matter is well above the national 2.0% average. Furthermore, the available water capacity of 0.189 in/in exceeds the South Dakota average, promising good drought resilience.

Stable Ground for Planting

No specific drainage or hydrologic group data are currently available for this county. However, the balanced silt and sand percentages typically indicate moderate, reliable drainage for most plants.

Hardy Crops for the North

Hardiness Zone 4b is ideal for growing corn, soybeans, and hardy garden vegetables. Your soil’s high water capacity makes this an excellent location to start a successful and resilient backyard garden.

Lawn Care in Walworth County

via LawnByCounty

Walworth County Tops State Averages

Walworth County scores 54.8 on the lawn difficulty index, making it easier to maintain than the state average of 51.1. This Hardiness Zone 4b region offers a manageable environment for dedicated homeowners.

Dry Climate with 22 Heat Days

Annual precipitation is low at 18.2 inches, meaning lawns rely heavily on the sprinkler system. The 2,671 growing degree days are accompanied by 22 days of 90°F heat, slightly lower than the South Dakota average.

Excellent pH Balance for Growth

The soil pH of 7.06 is nearly ideal for standard turfgrasses like Bluegrass and Ryegrass. With a blend of 23.3% clay and 30.6% sand, the soil provides a middle-ground texture that supports root health.

Resilient Performance in Walworth

The county only faced ten weeks of drought in the past year and currently reports zero drought conditions. This stability makes it one of the more reliable counties in South Dakota for establishing new turf.

Timing Your 4b Planting

Your primary growing season starts after May 5th and ends with the first frost around October 4th. Focus on cold-hardy varieties that can withstand the low precipitation levels during the peak summer months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Walworth County's county score?
Walworth County, South Dakota has a composite county score of 52.5 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 Walworth County rank among counties in South Dakota?
Walworth County ranks #42 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 Walworth County, South Dakota?
The median annual property tax in Walworth County is $1,792, with an effective tax rate of 1.31%. This earns Walworth County a tax score of 18.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Walworth County?
The median household income in Walworth County, South Dakota is $65,026 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Walworth County earns an income score of 48.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Walworth County, South Dakota a good place to live?
Walworth County scores 52.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #42 in South Dakota. The best way to evaluate Walworth 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 Walworth 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.