Union County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.9 | 17,183 people · 42nd most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Union County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.9 — 3036th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within South Dakota, it ranks 42nd 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. Union County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 46.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 46.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 65
Legal Distress 26.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 26
Consumer Credit Distress 16.5
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 21
Economic Vitality 9.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 27
House Price Change (YoY) 9
Structural Poverty 7.1
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 5
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Union County, SD 21.9 Healthy —
Woodbury County, IA 51.5 Elevated +29.6
Dakota County, NE 48.8 Normal +26.8
Clay County, SD 33.1 Healthy +11.2
Dixon County, NE 20.7 Healthy -1.3
Lincoln County, SD 20.3 Healthy -1.6
Plymouth County, IA 20.2 Healthy -1.8
Sioux County, IA 18.1 Healthy -3.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Valley County, ID 22.0 Healthy +0.1
Buffalo County, WI 22.1 Healthy +0.2
Green County, WI 22.5 Healthy +0.6
Douglas County, MN 22.6 Healthy +0.6
Kewaunee County, WI 22.6 Healthy +0.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Union 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 Union 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 Union County, South Dakota?

    Union County has a County Distress Index score of 21.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,036th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Union County?

    The primary driver of distress in Union County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 46.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Union County compare to neighboring counties?

    Union County (21.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Woodbury County, IA (51.5); Dakota County, NE (48.8); Clay County, SD (33.1).

  • 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). Union County's score of 21.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Union 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 Union County?

    Union County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 17,183 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.