Brown County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.6 | 37,733 people · 21st most distressed in South Dakota
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Brown County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.6 — 2607th 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 21st of 66 counties. It scores higher than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Brown County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 59.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 59.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 49
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 54
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 83
Legal Distress 32.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 33
Economic Vitality 26.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 11
Rent-to-Income Ratio 8
Business Formation Rate 70
House Price Change (YoY) 75
Consumer Credit Distress 25.0
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 23
Structural Poverty 19.8
Unemployment Rate 4
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 17
Transfer Income Dependency 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Brown County
Brown County, SD 32.6 Healthy —
Day County, SD 23.7 Healthy -8.9
McPherson County, SD 20.5 Healthy -12.1
Marshall County, SD 20.5 Healthy -12.1
Dickey County, ND 19.8 Healthy -12.8
Sargent County, ND 19.3 Healthy -13.3
Spink County, SD 17.6 Healthy -15.0
Faulk County, SD 15.9 Healthy -16.7
Edmunds County, SD 15.4 Healthy -17.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Brown County
Warren County, IL 32.6 Healthy +0.0
Aitkin County, MN 32.6 Healthy +0.0
Livingston County, IL 32.6 Healthy -0.0
Nobles County, MN 32.5 Healthy -0.1
Morrow County, OR 32.7 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Brown County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Brown County.

CCCS OF LSS - SOUTH DAKOTA
ABERDEEN
605-330-2700 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 Brown 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 Brown County, South Dakota?

    Brown County has a County Distress Index score of 32.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,607th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Brown County?

    The primary driver of distress in Brown County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 59.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Brown County compare to neighboring counties?

    Brown County (32.6) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Day County, SD (23.7); McPherson County, SD (20.5); Marshall County, SD (20.5).

  • 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). Brown County's score of 32.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Brown 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 Brown County?

    Brown County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 37,733 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.