CountyScore

Ziebach County

South Dakota · SD

#41 in South Dakota
70
County Score

County Report Card

About Ziebach County, South Dakota

Ziebach ranks solidly above national baseline

Ziebach County's composite score of 70.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 20 points, confirming it ranks in the better half of American counties for livability. This strong positioning reflects particular strengths in cost and tax efficiency that offset deeper income challenges.

Holds its ground in South Dakota

Ziebach's 70.0 score falls just 1.3 points below South Dakota's state average of 71.3, demonstrating competitive overall livability within the state. The county remains firmly in the middle range of South Dakota's 66 counties, neither trailing far behind nor pulling dramatically ahead.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Ziebach County leads in both Tax and Cost dimensions, with matching scores of 85.8 and an effective tax rate of just 0.585%—among the lowest in the nation. Median home values under $102,000 and monthly rents at $715 make this one of the most affordable places to live in South Dakota.

Income and health are the pressure points

With a median household income of just $47,333 and an Income Score of 14.3, Ziebach faces serious wage gaps relative to state and national benchmarks. The Health Score of 50.2, near the national median, also suggests room for improvement in healthcare access or community health outcomes.

Right for ultra-budget-conscious settlers

Ziebach County is built for individuals and families with modest incomes who need maximum affordability and minimal tax burden—think retirees on fixed income or remote workers willing to trade higher wages for lower living costs. Its exceptional cost profile makes economic hardship less likely, though limited income growth means you'll need to manage with what you bring to the table.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.8Cost85.8SafetyComing SoonHealth50.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.3Risk74.8WaterComing Soon
🏛85.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤50.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.8
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 Ziebach County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Clair County
Alabama
70
Median income: $78,993
Sumter County
Alabama
70
Median income: $37,981
Sitka City and Borough
Alaska
70
Median income: $101,207
Lee County
Arkansas
70
Median income: $36,860
Pike County
Georgia
70
Median income: $84,184

Deep Dives

Ziebach County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ziebach County

via TaxByCounty

Ziebach has among America's lowest tax rates

Ziebach County's effective tax rate of 0.585% ranks in the nation's lowest quartile, well below the national median of 0.84%. Despite this favorable rate, the county's median property tax of just $595 annually reflects both its low tax rate and the state's lowest median home values at $101,700.

Ziebach is South Dakota's most tax-friendly county

At 0.585%, Ziebach's effective rate is dramatically lower than South Dakota's state average of 1.094%—making it the most affordable county for property taxes in the state. Residents pay a median of only $595 annually, less than one-third of the state median tax of $1,785.

Ziebach undercuts all nearby counties on taxes

Ziebach County's effective rate of 0.585% is less than half that of neighboring Yankton County (1.127%), resulting in annual taxes of $595 versus $2,347 on comparable-value homes. This dramatic difference makes Ziebach one of the most tax-advantaged rural counties in the Upper Midwest.

Median Ziebach home costs just $50 yearly in tax

On Ziebach's median home value of $101,700, the effective tax rate of 0.585% results in roughly $595 in annual property taxes—among the lowest in America. Homeowners with mortgages average $586, while those without pay $609, reflecting minimal variation across the county's assessed properties.

Even low assessments deserve verification

Ziebach homeowners should still verify their property assessments periodically, as errors can occur regardless of county tax rates. Filing an appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and can further reduce your already-favorable tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ziebach County

via CostByCounty

Ziebach Faces Serious Affordability Strain

Ziebach County residents spend 18.1% of their income on rent—nearly 5 percentage points higher than the national average and well into the territory where housing cost burdens pinch household budgets. The median household income of $47,333 is significantly lower than the national median of $74,755, creating real pressure on renters.

South Dakota's Most Challenged County

Ziebach's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1% substantially exceeds South Dakota's state average of 13.8%, placing it among the least affordable counties in the region. The gap signals that Ziebach residents face meaningfully tighter housing constraints than their peers statewide.

Ziebach's Income Challenge

While Ziebach's median rent of $715 is actually $41 lower than the state average, the county's median household income of $47,333 is the real constraint. This income-to-rent mismatch makes Ziebach one of South Dakota's most strained markets for renters despite nominally lower rents.

Housing Takes the Biggest Share

Renters in Ziebach pay $715 monthly while homeowners pay $651—but these costs hit much harder on a median income of just $47,333. Housing accounts for roughly 18% of renter income and 16% of owner income, consuming a substantially larger share than regional norms.

Considering Ziebach? Know the Trade-offs

Ziebach County offers the lowest homeownership costs in this comparison at $651 monthly, which may appeal to buyers with limited equity. However, renters should carefully evaluate whether their income can comfortably support the county's 18.1% rent burden—among South Dakota's highest.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ziebach County

via IncomeByCounty

Ziebach lags behind national income

Ziebach County's median household income of $47,333 falls $27,422 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower fifth of American counties. This significant gap reflects economic challenges common to rural, sparsely populated regions with limited employment diversification.

One of South Dakota's lowest earners

Ziebach County's median household income of $47,333 trails South Dakota's state average of $66,926 by nearly $19,600, or about 29 percent. The county ranks among the state's lower-income regions, with per capita income of $26,500 also well below the state average of $35,667.

Economic gap widens vs. Yankton

Ziebach County households earn $47,333 while Yankton County residents earn $73,855—a $26,522 gap that underscores sharply different economic conditions across South Dakota. Ziebach's smaller population and more limited job market create structural challenges that depress household earnings.

Housing costs squeeze tight budgets

Ziebach County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1 percent consumes a larger share of household income than Yankton's 12.6 percent, leaving less room for other essentials. With lower incomes and a median home value of $101,700, homeownership requires careful financial planning and often remains out of reach for renters.

Prioritize financial resilience and growth

Lower incomes in Ziebach County make emergency savings and debt reduction critical first steps before investing for long-term wealth. Focus on stable employment, access to training and skills development, and exploring community resources that can help expand earning potential and build financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ziebach County

via HealthByCounty

Ziebach County Health Crisis

Ziebach County residents have a life expectancy of 65.8 years—nearly 9 years below the U.S. average of 74.6 years and among the lowest in America. With 28.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces a health emergency demanding urgent attention and investment.

South Dakota's Biggest Health Gap

Ziebach County's 65.8-year life expectancy lags the South Dakota average of 75.4 years by nearly a decade, placing it among the state's most challenged communities. This 9.6-year gap signals deep structural inequities in healthcare access and social determinants of health.

Severe Disparity in Region

Ziebach County's 65.8-year life expectancy trails Yankton County by 13.4 years, reflecting a stark regional health divide within South Dakota. Limited provider data underscores a critical shortage of primary and mental health infrastructure in this underserved community.

Provider Data Shows Service Gaps

Ziebach County's uninsured rate of 11.9% slightly exceeds South Dakota's average, leaving roughly 1 in 8 residents without health coverage. Primary and mental health provider counts are unavailable, suggesting severe provider shortages that compound barriers to accessible, ongoing care.

Seeking Coverage Is Critical

If you're uninsured in Ziebach County, connecting with health coverage is essential for your health and financial security. Contact South Dakota's Health Insurance Marketplace or local community health programs to find affordable options and get connected to the care you need.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ziebach County

via RiskByCounty

Ziebach has minimal disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 25.19 and a Very Low rating, Ziebach County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure. This favorable standing reflects relatively low exposure across most major hazard types, though no county is entirely risk-free. The county's profile makes it one of the safer communities for natural disaster vulnerability in the nation.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

Ziebach's composite risk score of 25.19 is nearly identical to South Dakota's state average of 26.84, placing it squarely in the middle of statewide risk distribution. This balanced profile means Ziebach residents face typical Great Plains hazard exposure without the elevated vulnerabilities seen in more exposed counties. The county's disaster risk remains manageable and well-understood.

Significantly safer than Yankton

Ziebach County's composite score of 25.19 is less than half that of neighboring Yankton County's 63.36, reflecting notably different geographic vulnerability patterns across the region. While both counties face comparable wildfire risk (76.56 vs. 75.60), Ziebach's tornado risk of 11.13 is dramatically lower than Yankton's 86.67. This contrast highlights how adjacent communities can have vastly different disaster profiles.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Wildfire represents Ziebach's dominant natural hazard with a risk score of 76.56, making it the county's most important preparedness priority despite very low overall composite risk. All other major hazards—tornado (11.13), earthquake (10.43), and flood (8.94)—pose minimal threat to the county. Residents should focus their disaster planning and home hardening efforts on wildfire prevention and preparation.

Focus on wildfire preparedness

Ziebach homeowners should prioritize wildfire insurance coverage and create defensible space around their homes through vegetation management and debris removal. While tornado and flood risks remain very low, ensuring basic coverage for these hazards maintains comprehensive protection at reasonable cost. Consult your insurance provider about specialized wildfire policies appropriate for your specific property location.

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.