Potter County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.6 | 2,413 people · 29th most distressed in South Dakota
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Potter County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.6 — 2866th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within South Dakota, it ranks 29th 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. Potter County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 59.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 59.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 21
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Housing Cost Burden 43.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 25
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 8
Homeownership Rate 25
Structural Poverty 26.3
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 14
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 7
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Consumer Credit Distress 16.7
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Potter County
Potter County, SD 27.6 Healthy —
Dewey County, SD 58.2 Elevated +30.6
Walworth County, SD 31.3 Healthy +3.6
Hyde County, SD 20.2 Healthy -7.4
Sully County, SD 16.2 Healthy -11.4
Faulk County, SD 15.9 Healthy -11.7
Edmunds County, SD 15.4 Healthy -12.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Potter County
Atchison County, MO 27.7 Healthy +0.1
Chariton County, MO 27.5 Healthy -0.1
Osceola County, IA 27.8 Healthy +0.2
Beaver County, UT 27.8 Healthy +0.2
Fallon County, MT 27.4 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Potter 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 Potter 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 Potter County, South Dakota?

    Potter County has a County Distress Index score of 27.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,866th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 29th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Potter County?

    The primary driver of distress in Potter County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 59.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Potter County compare to neighboring counties?

    Potter County (27.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Dewey County, SD (58.2); Walworth County, SD (31.3); Hyde County, SD (20.2).

  • 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). Potter County's score of 27.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Potter 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 Potter County?

    Potter County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 2,413 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.