Lawrence County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.4 | 28,053 people · 25th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Lawrence County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.4 — 2738th 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 25th of 66 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lawrence County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 52.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 52.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 38
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 64
Homeownership Rate 87
Economic Vitality 33.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 21
Business Formation Rate 7
House Price Change (YoY) 42
Legal Distress 32.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 32
Structural Poverty 29.6
Unemployment Rate 4
Poverty Rate 30
Income vs. State Median 43
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 63
Transfer Income Dependency 17
Consumer Credit Distress 19.5
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 27
Uninsured Rate 70
Subprime Credit Population 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lawrence County
Lawrence County, SD 30.4 Healthy —
Pennington County, SD 42.7 Normal +12.2
Butte County, SD 40.2 Normal +9.8
Weston County, WY 25.5 Healthy -5.0
Meade County, SD 25.4 Healthy -5.0
Crook County, WY 22.7 Healthy -7.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lawrence County
Louisa County, IA 30.4 Healthy 0.0
Waseca County, MN 30.4 Healthy -0.1
Antrim County, MI 30.5 Healthy +0.1
Presque Isle County, MI 30.5 Healthy +0.1
Elk County, PA 30.4 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lawrence County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Lawrence County.

NEIGHBORWORKS DAKOTA HOME RESOURCES
Deadwood
605-578-1401 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/Rehab

See all counselors in South Dakota →

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 Lawrence 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 →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Lawrence County has a County Distress Index score of 30.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,738th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 25th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lawrence County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lawrence County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 52.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lawrence County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lawrence County (30.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Pennington County, SD (42.7); Butte County, SD (40.2); Weston County, WY (25.5).

  • 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). Lawrence County's score of 30.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Lawrence 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 Lawrence County?

    Lawrence County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 28,053 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.