Yankton County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.9 | 23,517 people · 35th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Yankton County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.9 — 2995th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within South Dakota, it ranks 35th of 66 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Yankton County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 30.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 30.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 13
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 93
Homeownership Rate 61
Economic Vitality 25.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 3
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 73
Consumer Credit Distress 23.8
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 23
Credit Card Delinquency 20
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 39
Structural Poverty 23.2
Unemployment Rate 3
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 31
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 16
Legal Distress 4.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 4

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Yankton County
Yankton County, SD 23.9 Healthy —
Clay County, SD 33.1 Healthy +9.3
Knox County, NE 23.3 Healthy -0.6
Bon Homme County, SD 19.4 Healthy -4.4
Turner County, SD 19.0 Healthy -4.9
Cedar County, NE 17.3 Healthy -6.6
Hutchinson County, SD 14.4 Healthy -9.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Yankton County
Buchanan County, IA 23.8 Healthy -0.1
Dickinson County, IA 23.9 Healthy +0.1
Mercer County, OH 24.0 Healthy +0.2
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy +0.2
Door County, WI 23.6 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Yankton County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Yankton County.

CCCS OF LSS - SOUTH DAKOTA
Yankton
605-665-2106 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPre-Purchase

See all counselors in South Dakota →

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 Yankton County residents at no cost.

East River Legal Services 1-800-952-3015
Dakota Plains Legal Services 1-800-658-2297

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in South Dakota →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Yankton County, South Dakota?

    Yankton County has a County Distress Index score of 23.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,995th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 35th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Yankton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Yankton County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 30.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Yankton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Yankton County (23.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Clay County, SD (33.1); Knox County, NE (23.3); Bon Homme County, SD (19.4).

  • 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). Yankton County's score of 23.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Yankton 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 Yankton County?

    Yankton County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 23,517 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.