Jerauld County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.2 | 1,660 people · 38th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Jerauld County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.2 — 3010th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within South Dakota, it ranks 38th of 66 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jerauld County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 50.0 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 50.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Structural Poverty 45.6
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 43
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 47
Disability Rate 39
Transfer Income Dependency 38
Consumer Credit Distress 20.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 44
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13
Housing Cost Burden 7.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jerauld County
Jerauld County, SD 23.2 Healthy —
Buffalo County, SD 46.0 Normal +22.8
Beadle County, SD 41.2 Normal +18.0
Sanborn County, SD 28.0 Healthy +4.8
Brule County, SD 23.0 Healthy -0.2
Aurora County, SD 19.7 Healthy -3.5
Hand County, SD 15.2 Healthy -8.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jerauld County
Humboldt County, IA 23.2 Healthy +0.0
Perkins County, NE 23.3 Healthy +0.1
Knox County, NE 23.3 Healthy +0.1
Perkins County, SD 23.4 Healthy +0.2
Sheridan County, KS 23.4 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jerauld 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 Jerauld County residents at no cost.

East River Legal Services 1-800-952-3015
Dakota Plains Legal Services 1-800-658-2297

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in South Dakota →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Jerauld County, South Dakota?

    Jerauld County has a County Distress Index score of 23.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,010th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 38th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jerauld County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jerauld County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 50.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Jerauld County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jerauld County (23.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Buffalo County, SD (46.0); Beadle County, SD (41.2); Sanborn County, SD (28.0).

  • 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 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). Jerauld County's score of 23.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Jerauld 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 Jerauld County?

    Jerauld County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 1,660 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.