Sanborn County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.0 | 2,399 people · 28th most distressed in South Dakota
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Sanborn County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.0 — 2846th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within South Dakota, it ranks 28th of 66 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sanborn County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 43.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 43.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 8
Business Formation Rate 38
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Consumer Credit Distress 30.5
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 93
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 5
Structural Poverty 27.5
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 26
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 19
Housing Cost Burden 23.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 18
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 32
Homeownership Rate 32
Legal Distress 6.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sanborn County
Sanborn County, SD 28.0 Healthy —
Beadle County, SD 41.2 Normal +13.2
Davison County, SD 27.3 Healthy -0.7
Kingsbury County, SD 24.6 Healthy -3.5
Miner County, SD 24.5 Healthy -3.5
Jerauld County, SD 23.2 Healthy -4.8
Aurora County, SD 19.7 Healthy -8.4
Hanson County, SD 11.9 Healthy -16.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sanborn County
Hinsdale County, CO 28.1 Healthy +0.0
Stanton County, KS 28.0 Healthy -0.0
Keya Paha County, NE 28.0 Healthy -0.1
Hayes County, NE 28.0 Healthy -0.1
Phillips County, CO 28.1 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sanborn County

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 Sanborn 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 Sanborn County, South Dakota?

    Sanborn County has a County Distress Index score of 28.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,846th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 28th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sanborn County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sanborn County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 43.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Sanborn County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sanborn County (28.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Beadle County, SD (41.2); Davison County, SD (27.3); Kingsbury County, SD (24.6).

  • 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). Sanborn County's score of 28.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sanborn 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 Sanborn County?

    Sanborn County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 2,399 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.