Gregory County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.4 | 4,018 people · 17th most distressed in South Dakota
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Gregory County, SD falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.4 — 2403rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within South Dakota, it ranks 17th of 66 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Gregory County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 52.9 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 52.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 46
Business Formation Rate 17
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Structural Poverty 48.5
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 58
Income vs. State Median 90
Child Poverty Rate 48
Disability Rate 21
Transfer Income Dependency 44
Consumer Credit Distress 37.1
Debt in Collections 38
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 32
Credit Card Delinquency 92
Uninsured Rate 48
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 28.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 44
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 13
Homeownership Rate 27
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Gregory County
Gregory County, SD 36.4 Normal —
Lyman County, SD 38.7 Normal +2.4
Tripp County, SD 38.6 Normal +2.3
Boyd County, NE 37.0 Normal +0.6
Charles Mix County, SD 29.4 Healthy -6.9
Keya Paha County, NE 28.0 Healthy -8.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Gregory County
Golden Valley County, MT 36.3 Normal -0.0
Wahkiakum County, WA 36.4 Normal +0.1
Cloud County, KS 36.5 Normal +0.1
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, AK 36.2 Normal -0.1
Wheatland County, MT 36.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Gregory 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 Gregory 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 Gregory County, South Dakota?

    Gregory County has a County Distress Index score of 36.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,403rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 17th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Gregory County?

    The primary driver of distress in Gregory County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 52.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Gregory County compare to neighboring counties?

    Gregory County (36.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Lyman County, SD (38.7); Tripp County, SD (38.6); Boyd County, NE (37.0).

  • 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 Normal 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). Gregory County's score of 36.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Gregory 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 Gregory County?

    Gregory County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 4,018 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.