McCook County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.5 | 5,809 people · 41st most distressed in South Dakota
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McCook County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.5 — 3025th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within South Dakota, it ranks 41st 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. McCook County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 43.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 43.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 68
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 53
House Price Change (YoY) 11
Consumer Credit Distress 23.3
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 67
Credit Card Delinquency 20
Uninsured Rate 57
Subprime Credit Population 6
Housing Cost Burden 20.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 12
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 80
Homeownership Rate 11
Legal Distress 18.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 19
Structural Poverty 10.7
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 12
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. McCook County
McCook County, SD 22.5 Healthy —
Minnehaha County, SD 35.5 Normal +13.1
Lake County, SD 29.5 Healthy +7.0
Miner County, SD 24.5 Healthy +2.1
Turner County, SD 19.0 Healthy -3.5
Hutchinson County, SD 14.4 Healthy -8.1
Hanson County, SD 11.9 Healthy -10.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. McCook County
Worth County, IA 22.7 Healthy +0.2
Davis County, IA 22.3 Healthy -0.2
Crook County, WY 22.7 Healthy +0.3
Sweet Grass County, MT 22.2 Healthy -0.3
Phillips County, KS 22.9 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in McCook 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 McCook 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 McCook County, South Dakota?

    McCook County has a County Distress Index score of 22.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,025th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in McCook County?

    The primary driver of distress in McCook County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 43.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does McCook County compare to neighboring counties?

    McCook County (22.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Minnehaha County, SD (35.5); Lake County, SD (29.5); Miner County, SD (24.5).

  • 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). McCook County's score of 22.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    McCook 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 McCook County?

    McCook County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 5,809 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.