Stanley County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.8 | 3,043 people · 20th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Stanley County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.8 — 2595th 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 20th of 66 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stanley County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 76.8 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 76.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 95
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 61
Homeownership Rate 22
Economic Vitality 53.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 61
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 87
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Consumer Credit Distress 16.6
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 27
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 5
Structural Poverty 14.6
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 15
Child Poverty Rate 9
Disability Rate 46
Transfer Income Dependency 9
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stanley County
Stanley County, SD 32.8 Healthy —
Dewey County, SD 58.2 Elevated +25.4
Ziebach County, SD 42.8 Normal +10.0
Lyman County, SD 38.7 Normal +5.9
Jones County, SD 26.1 Healthy -6.7
Hughes County, SD 22.9 Healthy -9.9
Haakon County, SD 17.1 Healthy -15.7
Sully County, SD 16.2 Healthy -16.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stanley County
Power County, ID 32.8 Healthy +0.0
Somervell County, TX 32.8 Healthy +0.0
Gilliam County, OR 32.9 Healthy +0.0
Powell County, MT 32.9 Healthy +0.1
Wibaux County, MT 33.1 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stanley 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 Stanley 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 Stanley County, South Dakota?

    Stanley County has a County Distress Index score of 32.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,595th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 20th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stanley County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stanley County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 76.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Stanley County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stanley County (32.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Dewey County, SD (58.2); Ziebach County, SD (42.8); Lyman County, SD (38.7).

  • 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 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). Stanley County's score of 32.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Stanley 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 Stanley County?

    Stanley County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 3,043 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.