Aurora County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 19.7 | 2,782 people · 51st most distressed in South Dakota
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Aurora County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 19.7 — 3080th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within South Dakota, it ranks 51st of 66 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Aurora County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 41.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 41.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 63
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 28
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Structural Poverty 30.9
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 29
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 37
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 28
Housing Cost Burden 19.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 63
Homeownership Rate 39
Consumer Credit Distress 14.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 24
Subprime Credit Population 20
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Aurora County
Aurora County, SD 19.7 Healthy —
Charles Mix County, SD 29.4 Healthy +9.8
Sanborn County, SD 28.0 Healthy +8.4
Davison County, SD 27.3 Healthy +7.6
Jerauld County, SD 23.2 Healthy +3.5
Brule County, SD 23.0 Healthy +3.3
Douglas County, SD 16.2 Healthy -3.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Aurora County
Marshall County, MN 19.8 Healthy +0.1
Dickey County, ND 19.8 Healthy +0.2
Polk County, NE 19.5 Healthy -0.2
Towner County, ND 19.9 Healthy +0.2
Custer County, SD 19.9 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Aurora County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Aurora County

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State Bar of South Dakota Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of South Dakota Lawyer Referral Service 605-224-7554

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Aurora County residents at no cost.

East River Legal Services 1-800-952-3015
Dakota Plains Legal Services 1-800-658-2297

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Aurora County, South Dakota?

    Aurora County has a County Distress Index score of 19.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,080th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 51st in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Aurora County?

    The primary driver of distress in Aurora County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 41.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Aurora County compare to neighboring counties?

    Aurora County (19.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Charles Mix County, SD (29.4); Sanborn County, SD (28.0); Davison County, SD (27.3).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Aurora County's score of 19.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Aurora County's CDI score?

    Aurora County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Aurora County?

    Aurora County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 2,782 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.