Tripp County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.6 | 5,621 people · 16th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Tripp County, SD falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.6 — 2276th 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 16th of 66 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Tripp County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 70.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 70.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 74
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 87
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 10
Homeownership Rate 67
Structural Poverty 46.0
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 68
Income vs. State Median 82
Child Poverty Rate 67
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Economic Vitality 31.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 26
Rent-to-Income Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 37
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Consumer Credit Distress 26.9
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 42
Credit Card Delinquency 36
Uninsured Rate 81
Subprime Credit Population 8
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Tripp County
Tripp County, SD 38.6 Normal —
Todd County, SD 59.6 Elevated +21.0
Mellette County, SD 42.0 Normal +3.4
Lyman County, SD 38.7 Normal +0.1
Gregory County, SD 36.4 Normal -2.3
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy -7.0
Keya Paha County, NE 28.0 Healthy -10.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Tripp County
Petersburg Borough, AK 38.6 Normal -0.0
Lyman County, SD 38.7 Normal +0.1
Kit Carson County, CO 38.5 Normal -0.1
Aleutians East Borough, AK 38.8 Normal +0.2
Clay County, KS 38.9 Normal +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Tripp 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 Tripp 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 Tripp County, South Dakota?

    Tripp County has a County Distress Index score of 38.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,276th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 16th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Tripp County?

    The primary driver of distress in Tripp County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 70.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Tripp County compare to neighboring counties?

    Tripp County (38.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Todd County, SD (59.6); Mellette County, SD (42.0); 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 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). Tripp County's score of 38.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Tripp 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 Tripp County?

    Tripp County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 5,621 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.