Hanson County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 11.9 | 3,471 people · 65th most distressed in South Dakota
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Hanson County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 11.9 — 3141st 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 65th 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. Hanson County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 17.0 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 17.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 16
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 44
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Structural Poverty 15.5
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 33
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 6
Consumer Credit Distress 11.6
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 55
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 10.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hanson County
Hanson County, SD 11.9 Healthy —
Sanborn County, SD 28.0 Healthy +16.1
Davison County, SD 27.3 Healthy +15.4
Miner County, SD 24.5 Healthy +12.6
McCook County, SD 22.5 Healthy +10.6
Hutchinson County, SD 14.4 Healthy +2.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hanson County
LaMoure County, ND 12.3 Healthy +0.4
Hamlin County, SD 10.8 Healthy -1.1
Steele County, ND 13.5 Healthy +1.6
Hutchinson County, SD 14.4 Healthy +2.5
Billings County, ND 14.6 Healthy +2.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hanson 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 Hanson 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 Hanson County, South Dakota?

    Hanson County has a County Distress Index score of 11.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,141st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 65th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hanson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hanson County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 17.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Hanson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hanson County (11.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Sanborn County, SD (28.0); Davison County, SD (27.3); Miner County, SD (24.5).

  • 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). Hanson County's score of 11.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Hanson 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 Hanson County?

    Hanson County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 3,471 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.