Minnehaha County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.5 | 206,930 people · 18th most distressed in South Dakota
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Minnehaha County, SD falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.5 — 2449th 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 18th of 66 counties. It scores higher than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Minnehaha County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 54.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 54.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 49
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 82
Homeownership Rate 88
Legal Distress 41.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Consumer Credit Distress 34.5
Debt in Collections 33
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 31
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 39
Economic Vitality 23.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 16
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 16
House Price Change (YoY) 69
Structural Poverty 13.8
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 18
Income vs. State Median 30
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 6
Transfer Income Dependency 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Minnehaha County
Minnehaha County, SD 35.5 Normal —
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy -4.1
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy -4.2
Lake County, SD 29.5 Healthy -6.1
Rock County, MN 22.9 Healthy -12.6
McCook County, SD 22.5 Healthy -13.1
Lincoln County, SD 20.3 Healthy -15.3
Turner County, SD 19.0 Healthy -16.6
Lyon County, IA 11.4 Healthy -24.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Minnehaha County
Newport County, RI 35.5 Normal -0.0
Barry County, MI 35.6 Normal +0.1
Grand Forks County, ND 35.7 Normal +0.1
Platte County, MO 35.7 Normal +0.2
Tazewell County, IL 35.8 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Minnehaha County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Minnehaha County.

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF SOUTH DAKOTA - CCCS
Sioux Falls
605-330-2700 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPre-Lease/Pre-Purchase

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 Minnehaha 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 Minnehaha County, South Dakota?

    Minnehaha County has a County Distress Index score of 35.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,449th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 18th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Minnehaha County?

    The primary driver of distress in Minnehaha County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 54.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Minnehaha County compare to neighboring counties?

    Minnehaha County (35.5) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Pipestone County, MN (31.4); Moody County, SD (31.4); Lake County, SD (29.5).

  • 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 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). Minnehaha County's score of 35.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Minnehaha 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 Minnehaha County?

    Minnehaha County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 206,930 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.