Day County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.7 | 5,451 people · 36th most distressed in South Dakota
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Day County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.7 — 2997th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within South Dakota, it ranks 36th of 66 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Day County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 42.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 42.2
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 74
Child Poverty Rate 44
Disability Rate 25
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Economic Vitality 36.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 49
Rent-to-Income Ratio 23
Business Formation Rate 16
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Housing Cost Burden 27.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 29
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 63
Homeownership Rate 43
Consumer Credit Distress 17.1
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 37
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Day County
Day County, SD 23.7 Healthy —
Roberts County, SD 39.8 Normal +16.1
Brown County, SD 32.6 Healthy +8.9
Codington County, SD 30.5 Healthy +6.8
Clark County, SD 21.3 Healthy -2.4
Marshall County, SD 20.5 Healthy -3.2
Grant County, SD 20.5 Healthy -3.2
Spink County, SD 17.6 Healthy -6.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Day County
Hamilton County, KS 23.6 Healthy -0.1
Calhoun County, IA 23.6 Healthy -0.1
Foster County, ND 23.9 Healthy +0.2
Palo Alto County, IA 23.4 Healthy -0.3
Sheridan County, KS 23.4 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

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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 Day 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 Day County, South Dakota?

    Day County has a County Distress Index score of 23.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,997th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 36th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Day County?

    The primary driver of distress in Day County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 42.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Day County compare to neighboring counties?

    Day County (23.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Roberts County, SD (39.8); Brown County, SD (32.6); Codington County, SD (30.5).

  • 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). Day County's score of 23.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Day 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 Day County?

    Day County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 5,451 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.