Perkins County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.4 | 2,834 people · 37th most distressed in South Dakota
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Perkins County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.4 — 3004th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within South Dakota, it ranks 37th of 66 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Perkins County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 51.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 51.8
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 58
Income vs. State Median 85
Child Poverty Rate 52
Disability Rate 31
Transfer Income Dependency 56
Economic Vitality 46.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 63
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 17
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Housing Cost Burden 17.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 25
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 6
Homeownership Rate 24
Consumer Credit Distress 16.6
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 22
Uninsured Rate 52
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Perkins County
Perkins County, SD 23.4 Healthy —
Corson County, SD 46.9 Normal +23.5
Ziebach County, SD 42.8 Normal +19.4
Butte County, SD 40.2 Normal +16.8
Adams County, ND 30.1 Healthy +6.7
Meade County, SD 25.4 Healthy +2.1
Harding County, SD 18.3 Healthy -5.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Perkins County
Sheridan County, KS 23.4 Healthy +0.0
Palo Alto County, IA 23.4 Healthy +0.0
Knox County, NE 23.3 Healthy -0.1
Perkins County, NE 23.3 Healthy -0.1
Humboldt County, IA 23.2 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Perkins 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 Perkins 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 Perkins County, South Dakota?

    Perkins County has a County Distress Index score of 23.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,004th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 37th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Perkins County?

    The primary driver of distress in Perkins County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 51.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Perkins County compare to neighboring counties?

    Perkins County (23.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Corson County, SD (46.9); Ziebach County, SD (42.8); Butte County, SD (40.2).

  • 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 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). Perkins County's score of 23.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Perkins 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 Perkins County?

    Perkins County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 2,834 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.