Hamlin County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 10.8 | 6,451 people · 66th most distressed in South Dakota
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Hamlin County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 10.8 — 3144th 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 66th of 66 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hamlin County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 15.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 15.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 94
Homeownership Rate 12
Economic Vitality 13.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 43
House Price Change (YoY) 6
Consumer Credit Distress 10.1
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 64
Subprime Credit Population 5
Structural Poverty 6.9
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 11
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 8
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hamlin County
Hamlin County, SD 10.8 Healthy —
Codington County, SD 30.5 Healthy +19.7
Kingsbury County, SD 24.6 Healthy +13.7
Clark County, SD 21.3 Healthy +10.4
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy +9.3
Deuel County, SD 15.7 Healthy +4.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hamlin County
Hanson County, SD 11.9 Healthy +1.1
LaMoure County, ND 12.3 Healthy +1.5
Steele County, ND 13.5 Healthy +2.7
Hutchinson County, SD 14.4 Healthy +3.5
Billings County, ND 14.6 Healthy +3.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hamlin 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 Hamlin 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 Hamlin County, South Dakota?

    Hamlin County has a County Distress Index score of 10.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,144th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hamlin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hamlin County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 15.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Hamlin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hamlin County (10.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Codington County, SD (30.5); Kingsbury County, SD (24.6); Clark County, SD (21.3).

  • 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). Hamlin County's score of 10.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Hamlin 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 Hamlin County?

    Hamlin County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 6,451 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.