Lincoln County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.3 | 73,238 people · 47th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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

Lincoln County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.3 — 3067th 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 47th 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. Lincoln County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 45.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 45.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 26
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 62
Legal Distress 34.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Economic Vitality 16.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 16
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 17
House Price Change (YoY) 65
Consumer Credit Distress 12.4
Debt in Collections 4
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 19
Structural Poverty 1.9
Unemployment Rate 1
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 4
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln County
Lincoln County, SD 20.3 Healthy —
Minnehaha County, SD 35.5 Normal +15.3
Clay County, SD 33.1 Healthy +12.8
Union County, SD 21.9 Healthy +1.6
Turner County, SD 19.0 Healthy -1.3
Sioux County, IA 18.1 Healthy -2.2
Lyon County, IA 11.4 Healthy -8.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln County
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy +0.4
Delaware County, OH 21.0 Healthy +0.7
Oldham County, KY 19.6 Healthy -0.7
Ozaukee County, WI 21.3 Healthy +1.0
Carver County, MN 22.0 Healthy +1.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, South Dakota?

    Lincoln County has a County Distress Index score of 20.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,067th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 47th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lincoln County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lincoln County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 45.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lincoln County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lincoln County (20.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Minnehaha County, SD (35.5); Clay County, SD (33.1); Union County, SD (21.9).

  • 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). Lincoln County's score of 20.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Lincoln 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 Lincoln County?

    Lincoln County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 73,238 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.