Deuel County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 15.7 | 4,354 people · 61st most distressed in South Dakota
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Deuel County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 15.7 — 3127th 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 61st of 66 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Deuel County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 21.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 21.8
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 14
Income vs. State Median 49
Child Poverty Rate 7
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 10
Consumer Credit Distress 17.7
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 46
Subprime Credit Population 25
Economic Vitality 13.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 28
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Housing Cost Burden 11.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 6
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 42
Homeownership Rate 16
Legal Distress 8.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Deuel County
Deuel County, SD 15.7 Healthy —
Codington County, SD 30.5 Healthy +14.8
Lincoln County, MN 27.1 Healthy +11.4
Lac qui Parle County, MN 24.3 Healthy +8.6
Yellow Medicine County, MN 22.0 Healthy +6.3
Grant County, SD 20.5 Healthy +4.8
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy +4.4
Hamlin County, SD 10.8 Healthy -4.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Deuel County
Cavalier County, ND 15.7 Healthy -0.1
Bowman County, ND 15.9 Healthy +0.1
Faulk County, SD 15.9 Healthy +0.2
Boone County, NE 15.5 Healthy -0.2
Edmunds County, SD 15.4 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Deuel 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 Deuel 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 Deuel County, South Dakota?

    Deuel County has a County Distress Index score of 15.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,127th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 61st in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Deuel County?

    The primary driver of distress in Deuel County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 21.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Deuel County compare to neighboring counties?

    Deuel County (15.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Codington County, SD (30.5); Lincoln County, MN (27.1); Lac qui Parle County, MN (24.3).

  • 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). Deuel County's score of 15.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Deuel 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 Deuel County?

    Deuel County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 4,354 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.