Lake County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.5 | 11,031 people · 26th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Lake County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.5 — 2786th 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 26th of 66 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lake County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 55.6 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 55.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 63
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 57
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 12
Homeownership Rate 65
Legal Distress 31.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 32
Economic Vitality 21.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 11
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 66
House Price Change (YoY) 29
Consumer Credit Distress 21.3
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 39
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 5
Structural Poverty 19.6
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 7
Disability Rate 40
Transfer Income Dependency 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lake County
Lake County, SD 29.5 Healthy —
Minnehaha County, SD 35.5 Normal +6.1
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy +1.9
Kingsbury County, SD 24.6 Healthy -4.9
Miner County, SD 24.5 Healthy -4.9
McCook County, SD 22.5 Healthy -7.0
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy -9.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lake County
Charlevoix County, MI 29.5 Healthy +0.0
Walsh County, ND 29.4 Healthy -0.0
Dodge County, MN 29.5 Healthy +0.1
Juneau City and Borough, AK 29.5 Healthy +0.1
Kodiak Island Borough, AK 29.3 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake County, South Dakota?

    Lake County has a County Distress Index score of 29.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,786th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 26th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lake County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lake County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 55.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lake County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lake County (29.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Minnehaha County, SD (35.5); Moody County, SD (31.4); Kingsbury County, SD (24.6).

  • 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). Lake County's score of 29.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Lake 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 Lake County?

    Lake County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 11,031 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.