Todd County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.6 | 9,199 people · 2nd most distressed in South Dakota
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Todd County, SD registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.6 — 979th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within South Dakota, it ranks 2nd of 66 counties. It scores higher than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Todd County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 81.5 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 81.5
Unemployment Rate 92
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 6
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Consumer Credit Distress 76.8
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 56
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 95
Economic Vitality 50.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 27
Rent-to-Income Ratio 60
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Housing Cost Burden 29.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 22
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 95
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Todd County
Todd County, SD 59.6 Elevated —
Jackson County, SD 51.3 Elevated -8.3
Bennett County, SD 44.2 Normal -15.4
Mellette County, SD 42.0 Normal -17.6
Tripp County, SD 38.6 Normal -21.0
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy -28.0
Keya Paha County, NE 28.0 Healthy -31.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Todd County
Donley County, TX 59.6 Elevated +0.0
Menifee County, KY 59.6 Elevated -0.0
Galax city, VA 59.6 Elevated -0.0
Choctaw County, MS 59.7 Elevated +0.0
Jack County, TX 59.7 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Todd 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 Todd 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 Todd County, South Dakota?

    Todd County has a County Distress Index score of 59.6 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 979th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 2nd in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Todd County?

    The primary driver of distress in Todd County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 81.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Todd County compare to neighboring counties?

    Todd County (59.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jackson County, SD (51.3); Bennett County, SD (44.2); Mellette County, SD (42.0).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Todd County's score of 59.6 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Todd 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 Todd County?

    Todd County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 9,199 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.