Brule County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.0 | 5,311 people · 39th most distressed in South Dakota
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Brule County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.0 — 3011th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within South Dakota, it ranks 39th of 66 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Brule County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 49.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 49.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 66
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 51
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 32.4
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 42
Income vs. State Median 42
Child Poverty Rate 33
Disability Rate 56
Transfer Income Dependency 16
Housing Cost Burden 23.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 22
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 28
Homeownership Rate 60
Consumer Credit Distress 16.6
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 31
Legal Distress 12.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Brule County
Brule County, SD 23.0 Healthy —
Buffalo County, SD 46.0 Normal +23.0
Lyman County, SD 38.7 Normal +15.8
Charles Mix County, SD 29.4 Healthy +6.5
Jerauld County, SD 23.2 Healthy +0.2
Aurora County, SD 19.7 Healthy -3.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Brule County
Red Lake County, MN 22.9 Healthy -0.0
Rock County, MN 22.9 Healthy -0.0
McIntosh County, ND 22.9 Healthy -0.1
Phillips County, KS 22.9 Healthy -0.1
Crook County, WY 22.7 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Brule County

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 Brule 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 Brule County, South Dakota?

    Brule County has a County Distress Index score of 23.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,011th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 39th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Brule County?

    The primary driver of distress in Brule County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 49.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Brule County compare to neighboring counties?

    Brule County (23.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Buffalo County, SD (46.0); Lyman County, SD (38.7); Charles Mix County, SD (29.4).

  • 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). Brule County's score of 23.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Brule 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 Brule County?

    Brule County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 5,311 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.