Buffalo County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.0 | 1,884 people · 7th most distressed in South Dakota
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Buffalo County, SD falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.0 — 1843rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within South Dakota, it ranks 7th of 66 counties. It scores higher than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Buffalo County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 84.9 — worse than roughly 85% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 84.9
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 81.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 73
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Consumer Credit Distress 40.0
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 95
Housing Cost Burden 31.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 13
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 31
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 95
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Buffalo County
Buffalo County, SD 46.0 Normal —
Lyman County, SD 38.7 Normal -7.3
Jerauld County, SD 23.2 Healthy -22.8
Brule County, SD 23.0 Healthy -23.0
Hyde County, SD 20.2 Healthy -25.8
Hand County, SD 15.2 Healthy -30.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Buffalo County
Calhoun County, AR 46.0 Normal -0.0
Chautauqua County, KS 46.0 Normal -0.0
Lucas County, IA 46.0 Normal -0.1
Sutton County, TX 46.1 Normal +0.1
Iron County, WI 46.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Buffalo 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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo County, South Dakota?

    Buffalo County has a County Distress Index score of 46.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,843rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 7th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Buffalo County?

    The primary driver of distress in Buffalo County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 84.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Buffalo County compare to neighboring counties?

    Buffalo County (46.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Lyman County, SD (38.7); Jerauld County, SD (23.2); Brule County, SD (23.0).

  • 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 Normal 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). Buffalo County's score of 46.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Buffalo 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 Buffalo County?

    Buffalo County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 1,884 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.