CountyScore

Yankton County

South Dakota · SD

#49 in South Dakota
68.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Yankton County, South Dakota

Yankton outpaces national average

Yankton County's composite score of 68.9 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This 38-point advantage signals that residents here enjoy stronger economic and quality-of-life fundamentals than the typical American county.

Just slightly below South Dakota's pace

At 68.9, Yankton scores 2.4 points below South Dakota's state average of 71.3, reflecting solid but not exceptional performance within its peer group. The county remains competitive among South Dakota's 66 counties, holding its own on livability metrics that matter most to families and workers.

Affordability and health are the draw

Yankton County shines brightest in housing affordability and health outcomes, with a Cost Score of 79.3 and Health Score of 76.7—both well above national norms. Median home values of $208,200 and monthly rents around $777 offer genuine accessibility, while the county's health infrastructure supports strong community wellness.

Income and risk need attention

The county's Income Score of 31.6 reveals a significant gap: median household income of $73,855 trails state and national benchmarks, suggesting limited wage growth opportunities. Its Risk Score of 36.7 also signals exposure to economic volatility or environmental stressors that warrant closer investigation as the county plans for resilience.

Best for health-conscious budget seekers

Yankton County suits families and retirees who prioritize affordable housing and access to good healthcare over high earning potential. If you value stability, community health resources, and the ability to stretch your dollars—without requiring top-tier incomes—this county delivers solid livability at a reasonable cost.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.6Cost79.3SafetyComing SoonHealth76.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.6Risk36.7WaterComing Soon
🏛70.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡36.7
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 Yankton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Coffee County
Alabama
68.9
Median income: $64,672
Walker County
Alabama
68.9
Median income: $54,509
Arkansas County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $60,831
Jackson County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $41,215
Sevier County
Arkansas
68.9
Median income: $51,641

Deep Dives

Yankton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Yankton County

via TaxByCounty

Yankton taxes slightly above national norm

Yankton County's effective tax rate of 1.127% sits above the national median of 0.84%, placing it in roughly the 60th percentile nationally. Property owners here pay a median of $2,347 annually—lower than the national median of $2,690—because Yankton's homes are valued below the national average of $281,900.

Yankton ranks mid-pack among South Dakota counties

At 1.127%, Yankton's effective rate exceeds South Dakota's state average of 1.094%, making it slightly more tax-burdened than typical for the state. The county's median property tax of $2,347 is substantially higher than the state median of $1,785, reflecting both its higher home values and tax rate.

Yankton taxes outpace rural county peers

Compared to Ziebach County to the north, Yankton residents pay nearly four times the property tax ($2,347 vs. $595 annually), driven by both higher home values and a significantly higher effective rate (1.127% vs. 0.585%). This difference reflects Yankton's position as a more developed, urban-adjacent county in eastern South Dakota.

Median Yankton home costs $195 yearly in taxes

On Yankton's median home value of $208,200, the effective tax rate of 1.127% translates to roughly $2,347 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $2,409, while those without pay $2,234, depending on exemptions and mortgage interest deductions.

Yankton homeowners should verify assessments

Many homeowners across South Dakota, including Yankton County, are overassessed and can recover thousands by filing a property tax appeal with the county assessor. Since assessments directly drive your tax bill, it's worth reviewing your valuation—especially if similar homes in your area sold for significantly less.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Yankton County

via CostByCounty

Yankton's Housing Beats National Average

Yankton County residents spend just 12.6% of their income on rent, well below the national average of roughly 13-14% and comfortably under the threshold that housing experts consider affordable. The county's median household income of $73,855 nearly matches the national median of $74,755, giving renters genuine breathing room in their budgets.

South Dakota's Most Affordable County

Yankton ranks among South Dakota's most affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio of 12.6% that beats the state average of 13.8%. At $777 per month, median rent is only $21 above the state average, but the county's stronger household income makes all the difference in affordability.

Yankton Stands Out Regionally

Yankton County's median rent of $777 is competitive with other South Dakota communities, and its combination of affordable housing and solid incomes makes it more accessible than many rural alternatives. The county's median home value of $208,200 reflects a balanced market for both renters and buyers seeking stability.

Where Your Housing Dollar Goes

Renters in Yankton pay $777 monthly while homeowners carry $1,002 in monthly ownership costs—both reasonable fractions of the $73,855 median household income. Combined, housing takes up roughly 22-23% of household income for buyers, leaving families substantial resources for other essentials and savings.

Considering a Move to Yankton?

Yankton County offers genuine affordability paired with stable incomes—a rare combination in rural America. If you're weighing relocation options, Yankton's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio makes it a practical choice for renters and homebuyers alike.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Yankton County

via IncomeByCounty

Yankton keeps pace with nation

Yankton County's median household income of $73,855 runs nearly neck-and-neck with the U.S. median of $74,755—a difference of less than $900. This places the county in the middle of the national income distribution, slightly ahead of rural peers but in line with the broader American household.

Above-average income in South Dakota

At $73,855, Yankton County's median household income tops South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by $6,929, or about 10 percent. This strong showing ranks Yankton among the state's higher-earning counties, reflecting a relatively robust local economy.

Outpacing Ziebach by $26,500

Yankton County households earn $73,855 compared to Ziebach County's $47,333—a gap of $26,522 that reflects significant economic differences across South Dakota's regions. Yankton's diversified economy and stronger employment base support higher household earnings than more rural, agricultural-dependent counties.

Housing costs stay comfortably affordable

Yankton County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.6 percent falls well below the affordability threshold of 28 percent, meaning typical households spend roughly one-eighth of income on rent. With a median home value of $208,200, homeownership remains accessible for middle-income earners in the county.

Build on Yankton's income strength

With median household income near the national average and manageable housing costs, Yankton County residents have room to invest in financial security and long-term wealth. Consider maximizing retirement contributions, building emergency savings, and exploring investment strategies to compound your earnings over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Yankton County

via HealthByCounty

Yankton County's Health Advantage

Yankton County residents live to 79.2 years on average, nearly 5 years longer than the U.S. median of 74.6 years. Only 12.7% report poor or fair health—well below the national rate of 17%—signaling stronger overall wellness in this South Dakota community.

South Dakota's Health Leader

Yankton County's 79.2-year life expectancy ranks among South Dakota's healthiest counties, outpacing the state average of 75.4 years by nearly 4 years. This positions residents ahead of most peers statewide in longevity and chronic disease prevention.

Outperforming Regional Peers

Yankton County's life expectancy of 79.2 years significantly exceeds neighboring Ziebach County's 65.8 years, a 13.4-year gap that reflects major differences in health infrastructure and population health. The county's robust primary care capacity of 103 providers per 100,000 residents supports preventive care and early intervention.

Insurance and Provider Access Strong

Yankton County's uninsured rate of 10.1% sits just below South Dakota's 11.1% average, meaning most residents have healthcare coverage. Mental health providers are abundant at 782 per 100,000 residents, far exceeding typical rural county capacity and ensuring accessible behavioral health care.

Make Sure You're Covered

With nearly 1 in 10 Yankton County residents uninsured, now is the time to explore your options through the South Dakota marketplace or Medicaid. Local providers and community health centers can help you find a plan that fits your needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Yankton County

via RiskByCounty

Yankton faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 63.36, Yankton County sits well above the national average and carries a Relatively Low rating overall. This score reflects exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly severe weather events that affect much of the Great Plains. Understanding your specific risks helps you prepare where it matters most.

Among South Dakota's riskier counties

Yankton's composite risk score of 63.36 significantly exceeds South Dakota's state average of 26.84, making it one of the more hazard-prone counties in the state. This elevated score is driven primarily by tornado and wildfire risks that outpace statewide norms. The county's location and geography create conditions for these recurring weather threats.

Higher risk than nearby Ziebach

Yankton County's composite score of 63.36 contrasts sharply with neighboring Ziebach County's score of 25.19, reflecting different geographic vulnerability profiles across the region. While both counties face wildfire risk (Yankton at 75.60, Ziebach at 76.56), Yankton carries substantially more tornado danger at 86.67 compared to Ziebach's 11.13. This variation underscores how location shapes disaster preparedness priorities.

Tornadoes and wildfires dominate

Tornado risk represents Yankton's most significant threat with a score of 86.67, far exceeding typical South Dakota exposure and warranting serious storm preparedness planning. Wildfire risk at 75.60 poses a secondary but substantial concern, especially during drought periods common to the region. Together, these two hazards account for the majority of the county's overall disaster exposure.

Prioritize coverage for severe weather

Given Yankton's elevated tornado and wildfire risks, homeowners should verify they have comprehensive coverage that includes wind damage, hail, and—in wildfire-prone areas—structure protection beyond standard policies. A safe room or basement shelter can save lives during tornado events, making home hardening investments worthwhile. Review your policy annually and discuss specific hazard coverage with your insurance agent.

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.