Roberts County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.8 | 10,206 people · 14th most distressed in South Dakota
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Roberts County, SD falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.8 — 2204th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within South Dakota, it ranks 14th of 66 counties. It scores higher than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Roberts County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 48.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 48.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 47
Rent-to-Income Ratio 13
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 48.5
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 69
Income vs. State Median 58
Child Poverty Rate 60
Disability Rate 6
Transfer Income Dependency 37
Consumer Credit Distress 47.4
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 27
Auto Loan Delinquency 76
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 44
Housing Cost Burden 24.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 11
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 26
Homeownership Rate 73
Legal Distress 9.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Roberts County
Roberts County, SD 39.8 Normal —
Richland County, ND 35.3 Normal -4.5
Big Stone County, MN 25.8 Healthy -14.0
Day County, SD 23.7 Healthy -16.1
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy -18.3
Marshall County, SD 20.5 Healthy -19.3
Grant County, SD 20.5 Healthy -19.3
Sargent County, ND 19.3 Healthy -20.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Roberts County
Johnson County, IL 39.8 Normal -0.0
Wells County, IN 39.8 Normal -0.0
Mitchell County, NC 39.7 Normal -0.0
Mason County, MI 39.7 Normal -0.1
Douglas County, WA 39.7 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Roberts County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Roberts County.

NORTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM - GROW SOUTH DAKOTA
Sisseton
605-698-7654 Website
Financial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabPre-PurchaseRental Help

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 Roberts 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 Roberts County, South Dakota?

    Roberts County has a County Distress Index score of 39.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,204th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Roberts County?

    The primary driver of distress in Roberts County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 48.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Roberts County compare to neighboring counties?

    Roberts County (39.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Richland County, ND (35.3); Big Stone County, MN (25.8); Day County, SD (23.7).

  • 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). Roberts County's score of 39.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Roberts 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 Roberts County?

    Roberts County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 10,206 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.