Charles Mix County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.4 | 9,240 people · 27th most distressed in South Dakota
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Charles Mix County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.4 — 2787th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within South Dakota, it ranks 27th of 66 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Charles Mix County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 54.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 54.4
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 90
Income vs. State Median 77
Child Poverty Rate 83
Disability Rate 14
Transfer Income Dependency 43
Economic Vitality 45.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 35
Rent-to-Income Ratio 25
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 87
Housing Cost Burden 24.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 18
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 36
Homeownership Rate 53
Consumer Credit Distress 24.1
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 94
Subprime Credit Population 28
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Charles Mix County
Charles Mix County, SD 29.4 Healthy —
Lyman County, SD 38.7 Normal +9.3
Boyd County, NE 37.0 Normal +7.6
Gregory County, SD 36.4 Normal +6.9
Knox County, NE 23.3 Healthy -6.2
Brule County, SD 23.0 Healthy -6.5
Aurora County, SD 19.7 Healthy -9.8
Bon Homme County, SD 19.4 Healthy -10.0
Douglas County, SD 16.2 Healthy -13.2
Hutchinson County, SD 14.4 Healthy -15.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Charles Mix County
Banner County, NE 29.4 Healthy -0.0
Scott County, KS 29.5 Healthy +0.1
Taylor County, IA 29.6 Healthy +0.1
Garden County, NE 29.6 Healthy +0.1
San Miguel County, CO 29.6 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Charles Mix County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Charles Mix 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 Charles Mix 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 Charles Mix County, South Dakota?

    Charles Mix County has a County Distress Index score of 29.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,787th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Charles Mix County?

    The primary driver of distress in Charles Mix County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 54.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Charles Mix County compare to neighboring counties?

    Charles Mix County (29.4) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Lyman County, SD (38.7); Boyd County, NE (37.0); Gregory County, SD (36.4).

  • 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). Charles Mix County's score of 29.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Charles Mix County's CDI score?

    Charles Mix 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 Charles Mix County?

    Charles Mix County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 9,240 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.