Ziebach County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.8 | 2,322 people · 9th most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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Ziebach County, SD falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.8 — 2027th 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 9th of 66 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ziebach County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 72.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 72.0
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Housing Cost Burden 59.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 68
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 95
Economic Vitality 52.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 16
Rent-to-Income Ratio 87
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 54
Consumer Credit Distress 29.3
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 45
Legal Distress 12.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ziebach County
Ziebach County, SD 42.8 Normal —
Dewey County, SD 58.2 Elevated +15.5
Corson County, SD 46.9 Normal +4.1
Stanley County, SD 32.8 Healthy -10.0
Meade County, SD 25.4 Healthy -17.3
Perkins County, SD 23.4 Healthy -19.4
Haakon County, SD 17.1 Healthy -25.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ziebach County
Yoakum County, TX 42.8 Normal 0.0
Craig County, VA 42.7 Normal -0.1
Ochiltree County, TX 42.9 Normal +0.2
Surry County, VA 42.6 Normal -0.2
Sheridan County, MT 42.5 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ziebach 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 Ziebach 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 Ziebach County, South Dakota?

    Ziebach County has a County Distress Index score of 42.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,027th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ziebach County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ziebach County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 72.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Ziebach County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ziebach County (42.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Dewey County, SD (58.2); Corson County, SD (46.9); Stanley County, SD (32.8).

  • 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). Ziebach County's score of 42.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Ziebach 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 Ziebach County?

    Ziebach County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 2,322 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.