Mellette County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.0 | 1,851 people · 11th most distressed in South Dakota
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Mellette County, SD falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.0 — 2067th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within South Dakota, it ranks 11th 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. Mellette County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 70.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 70.6
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 94
Disability Rate 17
Transfer Income Dependency 76
Economic Vitality 68.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 83
Rent-to-Income Ratio 70
Business Formation Rate 37
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Consumer Credit Distress 42.2
Debt in Collections 78
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 48
Housing Cost Burden 22.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 93
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mellette County
Mellette County, SD 42.0 Normal —
Todd County, SD 59.6 Elevated +17.6
Jackson County, SD 51.3 Elevated +9.3
Bennett County, SD 44.2 Normal +2.2
Lyman County, SD 38.7 Normal -3.3
Tripp County, SD 38.6 Normal -3.4
Jones County, SD 26.1 Healthy -15.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mellette County
Doniphan County, KS 42.0 Normal +0.0
Kusilvak Census Area, AK 41.9 Normal -0.1
Clarke County, IA 41.9 Normal -0.1
Ozark County, MO 42.1 Normal +0.1
Lake County, CO 42.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Mellette 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 Mellette 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 Mellette County, South Dakota?

    Mellette County has a County Distress Index score of 42.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,067th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 11th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mellette County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mellette County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 70.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Mellette County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mellette County (42.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Todd County, SD (59.6); Jackson County, SD (51.3); Bennett County, SD (44.2).

  • 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). Mellette County's score of 42.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Mellette 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 Mellette County?

    Mellette County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 1,851 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.