Grant County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.5 | 7,553 people · 46th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Grant County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.5 — 3066th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within South Dakota, it ranks 46th of 66 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Grant County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 29.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 29.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 22
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 12
Structural Poverty 28.1
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 20
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 41
Transfer Income Dependency 17
Legal Distress 17.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18
Economic Vitality 17.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 10
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 50
House Price Change (YoY) 25
Consumer Credit Distress 15.2
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 64
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Grant County
Grant County, SD 20.5 Healthy —
Roberts County, SD 39.8 Normal +19.3
Codington County, SD 30.5 Healthy +10.1
Big Stone County, MN 25.8 Healthy +5.3
Lac qui Parle County, MN 24.3 Healthy +3.8
Day County, SD 23.7 Healthy +3.2
Deuel County, SD 15.7 Healthy -4.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Grant County
Calhoun County, IL 20.5 Healthy +0.0
Marshall County, SD 20.5 Healthy +0.0
McPherson County, SD 20.5 Healthy +0.1
Dixon County, NE 20.7 Healthy +0.2
Jasper County, IL 20.7 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Grant 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 Grant 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 Grant County, South Dakota?

    Grant County has a County Distress Index score of 20.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,066th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 46th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Grant County?

    The primary driver of distress in Grant County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 29.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Grant County compare to neighboring counties?

    Grant County (20.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Roberts County, SD (39.8); Codington County, SD (30.5); Big Stone County, MN (25.8).

  • 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). Grant County's score of 20.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Grant 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 Grant County?

    Grant County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 7,553 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.