Harding County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 18.3 | 1,324 people · 54th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Harding County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 18.3 — 3096th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within South Dakota, it ranks 54th 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. Harding County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 50.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 50.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 45
Rent-to-Income Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Structural Poverty 30.6
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 78
Child Poverty Rate 28
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 12
Consumer Credit Distress 13.4
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13
Housing Cost Burden 9.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 35

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Harding County
Harding County, SD 18.3 Healthy —
Butte County, SD 40.2 Normal +21.9
Carter County, MT 31.3 Healthy +13.0
Adams County, ND 30.1 Healthy +11.8
Fallon County, MT 27.4 Healthy +9.1
Perkins County, SD 23.4 Healthy +5.1
Bowman County, ND 15.9 Healthy -2.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Harding County
Griggs County, ND 18.3 Healthy -0.0
Kittson County, MN 18.3 Healthy +0.0
Howard County, IA 18.3 Healthy -0.0
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy -0.0
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Harding County

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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 Harding 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 Harding County, South Dakota?

    Harding County has a County Distress Index score of 18.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,096th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 54th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Harding County?

    The primary driver of distress in Harding County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 50.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Harding County compare to neighboring counties?

    Harding County (18.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Butte County, SD (40.2); Carter County, MT (31.3); Adams County, ND (30.1).

  • 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). Harding County's score of 18.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Harding 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 Harding County?

    Harding County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 1,324 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.