Lyman County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.7 | 3,705 people · 15th most distressed in South Dakota
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Lyman County, SD falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.7 — 2272nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within South Dakota, it ranks 15th of 66 counties. Among its 10 neighboring counties, 8 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lyman County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 64.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 64.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 80
Rent-to-Income Ratio 44
Business Formation Rate 61
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Structural Poverty 62.4
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 83
Income vs. State Median 88
Child Poverty Rate 82
Disability Rate 48
Transfer Income Dependency 43
Consumer Credit Distress 38.1
Debt in Collections 64
Medical Debt 32
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 28
Housing Cost Burden 23.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 19
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 48
Homeownership Rate 61
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lyman County
Lyman County, SD 38.7 Normal —
Buffalo County, SD 46.0 Normal +7.3
Mellette County, SD 42.0 Normal +3.3
Tripp County, SD 38.6 Normal -0.1
Gregory County, SD 36.4 Normal -2.4
Stanley County, SD 32.8 Healthy -5.9
Charles Mix County, SD 29.4 Healthy -9.3
Jones County, SD 26.1 Healthy -12.6
Brule County, SD 23.0 Healthy -15.8
Hughes County, SD 22.9 Healthy -15.8
Hyde County, SD 20.2 Healthy -18.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lyman County
Tripp County, SD 38.6 Normal -0.1
Petersburg Borough, AK 38.6 Normal -0.1
Aleutians East Borough, AK 38.8 Normal +0.1
Clay County, KS 38.9 Normal +0.2
Keith County, NE 38.9 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lyman 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 Lyman 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 Lyman County, South Dakota?

    Lyman County has a County Distress Index score of 38.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,272nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lyman County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lyman County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 64.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Lyman County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lyman County (38.7) can be compared to its 10 neighboring counties: Buffalo County, SD (46.0); Mellette County, SD (42.0); Tripp County, SD (38.6).

  • 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 Normal 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). Lyman County's score of 38.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Lyman 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 Lyman County?

    Lyman County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 3,705 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.