Moody County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.4 | 6,450 people · 22nd most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Moody County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.4 — 2683rd 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 22nd of 66 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Moody County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 46.6 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 46.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 16
Homeownership Rate 67
Consumer Credit Distress 30.9
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 67
Uninsured Rate 60
Subprime Credit Population 32
Legal Distress 23.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24
Structural Poverty 20.4
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 29
Transfer Income Dependency 9
Economic Vitality 19.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 64
House Price Change (YoY) 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Moody County
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy —
Minnehaha County, SD 35.5 Normal +4.2
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy +0.1
Lake County, SD 29.5 Healthy -1.9
Lincoln County, MN 27.1 Healthy -4.3
Rock County, MN 22.9 Healthy -8.4
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy -11.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Moody County
Clark County, KS 31.4 Healthy +0.0
Knox County, MO 31.4 Healthy +0.0
Carter County, MT 31.3 Healthy -0.0
Rappahannock County, VA 31.3 Healthy -0.1
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Moody County

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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 Moody 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 Moody County, South Dakota?

    Moody County has a County Distress Index score of 31.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,683rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 22nd in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Moody County?

    The primary driver of distress in Moody County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 46.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Moody County compare to neighboring counties?

    Moody County (31.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Minnehaha County, SD (35.5); Pipestone County, MN (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 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). Moody County's score of 31.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Moody 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 Moody County?

    Moody County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 6,450 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.