Kingsbury County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.6 | 5,276 people · 33rd most distressed in South Dakota
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Kingsbury County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.6 — 2975th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within South Dakota, it ranks 33rd of 66 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kingsbury County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 59.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 59.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 74
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 75
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 23
Homeownership Rate 13
Economic Vitality 38.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 11
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Structural Poverty 22.3
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 19
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 17
Consumer Credit Distress 9.3
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 29
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 5.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kingsbury County
Kingsbury County, SD 24.6 Healthy —
Beadle County, SD 41.2 Normal +16.7
Lake County, SD 29.5 Healthy +4.9
Sanborn County, SD 28.0 Healthy +3.5
Miner County, SD 24.5 Healthy -0.0
Clark County, SD 21.3 Healthy -3.3
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy -4.4
Hamlin County, SD 10.8 Healthy -13.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kingsbury County
Oneida County, ID 24.5 Healthy -0.0
Cook County, MN 24.5 Healthy -0.0
Miner County, SD 24.5 Healthy -0.0
Pierce County, NE 24.5 Healthy -0.1
Trego County, KS 24.7 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kingsbury 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 Kingsbury 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 Kingsbury County, South Dakota?

    Kingsbury County has a County Distress Index score of 24.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,975th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kingsbury County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kingsbury County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 59.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Kingsbury County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kingsbury County (24.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Beadle County, SD (41.2); Lake County, SD (29.5); 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). Kingsbury County's score of 24.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Kingsbury 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 Kingsbury County?

    Kingsbury County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 5,276 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.