Brookings County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.1 | 35,980 people · 49th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Brookings County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.1 — 3070th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within South Dakota, it ranks 49th of 66 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Brookings County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 49.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 49.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 37
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 35
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 76
Homeownership Rate 94
Economic Vitality 26.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 3
Business Formation Rate 83
House Price Change (YoY) 80
Legal Distress 19.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 19
Structural Poverty 13.0
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 26
Child Poverty Rate 3
Disability Rate 3
Transfer Income Dependency 5
Consumer Credit Distress 7.2
Debt in Collections 1
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 3
Credit Card Delinquency 4
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Brookings County
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy —
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy +11.3
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy +11.3
Lake County, SD 29.5 Healthy +9.4
Lincoln County, MN 27.1 Healthy +7.0
Kingsbury County, SD 24.6 Healthy +4.4
Deuel County, SD 15.7 Healthy -4.4
Hamlin County, SD 10.8 Healthy -9.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Brookings County
Monroe County, IL 20.1 Healthy -0.1
Plymouth County, IA 20.2 Healthy +0.1
Osage County, MO 19.8 Healthy -0.3
Washington County, IL 19.8 Healthy -0.3
Blaine County, ID 20.5 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Brookings County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Brookings County.

CCCS OF LSS - SOUTH DAKOTA
BROOKINGS
605-692-9636 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPre-Purchase

See all counselors in South Dakota →

Find an Attorney

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 Brookings County residents at no cost.

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

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in South Dakota →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Brookings County has a County Distress Index score of 20.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,070th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 49th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Brookings County?

    The primary driver of distress in Brookings County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 49.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Brookings County compare to neighboring counties?

    Brookings County (20.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Pipestone County, MN (31.4); Moody County, SD (31.4); Lake County, SD (29.5).

  • 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). Brookings County's score of 20.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Brookings 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 Brookings County?

    Brookings County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 35,980 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.