Faulk County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 15.9 | 2,151 people · 60th most distressed in South Dakota
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Faulk County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 15.9 — 3125th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within South Dakota, it ranks 60th of 66 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Faulk County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 46.2 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 46.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 48
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Structural Poverty 29.7
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 15
Consumer Credit Distress 11.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 8
Legal Distress 8.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 8
Housing Cost Burden 7.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 21
Homeownership Rate 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Faulk County
Faulk County, SD 15.9 Healthy —
Brown County, SD 32.6 Healthy +16.7
Potter County, SD 27.6 Healthy +11.7
Hyde County, SD 20.2 Healthy +4.3
Spink County, SD 17.6 Healthy +1.7
Edmunds County, SD 15.4 Healthy -0.5
Hand County, SD 15.2 Healthy -0.7

Population Peers

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

Download Data

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

Find Help in Faulk 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 Faulk 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 Faulk County, South Dakota?

    Faulk County has a County Distress Index score of 15.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,125th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 60th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Faulk County?

    The primary driver of distress in Faulk County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 46.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Faulk County compare to neighboring counties?

    Faulk County (15.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Brown County, SD (32.6); Potter County, SD (27.6); Hyde County, SD (20.2).

  • 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). Faulk County's score of 15.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Faulk 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 Faulk County?

    Faulk County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 2,151 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.