Pennington County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.7 | 115,903 people · 10th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Pennington County, SD falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.7 — 2031st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within South Dakota, it ranks 10th of 66 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pennington County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 69.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 69.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 77
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 96
Homeownership Rate 74
Economic Vitality 56.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 54
Business Formation Rate 20
House Price Change (YoY) 65
Consumer Credit Distress 34.5
Debt in Collections 31
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 41
Credit Card Delinquency 30
Uninsured Rate 68
Subprime Credit Population 30
Structural Poverty 27.8
Unemployment Rate 3
Poverty Rate 34
Income vs. State Median 27
Child Poverty Rate 42
Disability Rate 41
Transfer Income Dependency 21
Legal Distress 23.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pennington County
Pennington County, SD 42.7 Normal —
Jackson County, SD 51.3 Elevated +8.6
Lawrence County, SD 30.4 Healthy -12.2
Weston County, WY 25.5 Healthy -17.2
Meade County, SD 25.4 Healthy -17.2
Custer County, SD 19.9 Healthy -22.8
Haakon County, SD 17.1 Healthy -25.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pennington County
Jefferson County, MO 42.6 Normal -0.1
Boone County, KY 42.5 Normal -0.2
Cheshire County, NH 42.8 Normal +0.2
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK 42.9 Normal +0.2
Dearborn County, IN 42.5 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pennington County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Pennington County.

BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S RANCH, INC. - PIONEER CREDIT COUNSELING
RAPID CITY
605-348-1608 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHomeless/Displacement
CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICE OF THE BLACK HILLS
Rapid City
605-348-4550 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/Rehab

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 Pennington 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 Pennington County, South Dakota?

    Pennington County has a County Distress Index score of 42.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,031st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 10th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pennington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pennington County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 69.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Pennington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pennington County (42.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jackson County, SD (51.3); Lawrence County, SD (30.4); Weston County, WY (25.5).

  • 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). Pennington County's score of 42.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Pennington 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 Pennington County?

    Pennington County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 115,903 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.