Douglas County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 16.2 | 2,838 people · 58th most distressed in South Dakota
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Douglas County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 16.2 — 3122nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within South Dakota, it ranks 58th of 66 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Douglas County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 35.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 35.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 30
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Structural Poverty 20.1
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 11
Income vs. State Median 46
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 19
Consumer Credit Distress 14.7
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 12.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 7
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 17
Homeownership Rate 31
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Douglas County
Douglas County, SD 16.2 Healthy —
Charles Mix County, SD 29.4 Healthy +13.2
Davison County, SD 27.3 Healthy +11.1
Aurora County, SD 19.7 Healthy +3.4
Hutchinson County, SD 14.4 Healthy -1.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Douglas County
Sully County, SD 16.2 Healthy -0.0
Renville County, ND 16.4 Healthy +0.2
Faulk County, SD 15.9 Healthy -0.3
Bowman County, ND 15.9 Healthy -0.4
Deuel County, SD 15.7 Healthy -0.5

Download Data

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

Find Help in Douglas 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 Douglas 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 Douglas County, South Dakota?

    Douglas County has a County Distress Index score of 16.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,122nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 58th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Douglas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Douglas County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 35.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Douglas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Douglas County (16.2) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Charles Mix County, SD (29.4); Davison County, SD (27.3); Aurora County, SD (19.7).

  • 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). Douglas County's score of 16.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Douglas 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 Douglas County?

    Douglas County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 2,838 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.