South Dakota Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for South Dakota and its 66 counties, from federal sources, each shown beside the U.S. figure.
· Data from Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in South Dakota? See your options under South Dakota law →
South Dakota ranks #50 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the least distressed fifth: its score of 2 means it is more distressed than 2% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 66 counties.
How Does South Dakota Compare With the U.S.?
South Dakota is above the U.S. figure on 0 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025. Credit card delinquency is 9.1%, 3.3 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $52,270, $10,930 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in South Dakota is up 2.8 percentage points from 6.3% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 21.4% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: South Dakota
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, South Dakota has held at the 50th-most distressed jurisdiction, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score held at 2.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical). The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005. South Dakota's State Distress Index of 2 (exceptionally low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
South Dakota and the U.S.
Delinquency rates measure balances 90 or more days past due as a share of total balances in each loan category. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per adult with a credit file, not per resident.
Download all states (CSV)South Dakota and the U.S.: 5 Household Debt Measures (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
The states ranked closest to South Dakota (#50) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 2 | exceptionally low state distress | Delinquency |
| Vermont | 6 | exceptionally low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| New Hampshire | 4 | exceptionally low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| North Dakota | 0 | exceptionally low state distress | Default & Legal |
Change Since 2019
Q4 2019, the last fourth quarter before the pandemic, is the baseline. Credit card delinquency is higher than in Q4 2019 in 51 of 51 jurisdictions, and auto loan delinquency is higher in 33.
| Metric | Q4 2019 | Q4 2025 | Change | U.S. Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 6.3% | 9.1% | +2.8 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 3.4% | 3.6% | +0.3 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.66% | 0.79% | +0.13 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $43,050 | $52,270 | +21.4% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $2,970 | $3,530 | +18.9% | $4,350 |
South Dakota Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. South Dakota mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
South Dakota has two foreclosure tracks: (1) non-judicial foreclosure by power of sale under SDCL § 21-48-1 et seq. — available when the mortgage contains a power of sale clause, which is standard in modern residential mortgages; and (2) judicial for…
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: No separate statutory cure period for non-judicial foreclosure; any reinstatement right before a non-judicial sale depends on the mortgage terms. The 4-week publication period effectively gives you at least 21-28 days' notice. For judicial foreclosure where only some installments of the mortgage are due, paying the principal and interest due, with costs, into court before judgment ends the case (SDCL § 21-47-8), and paying them any time before the sale pauses the case until a later default (SDCL § 21-47-10).
- Post-sale redemption: One year from the date of sale, after both judicial and non-judicial foreclosure (SDCL §§ 21-52-11, 21-48-21). For a 180-day redemption mortgage, the period is 180 days from the recording of the certificate of sale, or 60 days if the property is abandoned (SDCL § 21-49-38).
How South Dakota Sits Among the States
South Dakota's credit card delinquency rate is 9.1%, 3.3 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #47 of 51. 0 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 2 (exceptionally low state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in South Dakota on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. South Dakota's 66 counties average 16.1: on average, South Dakota's counties are more distressed than 16% of U.S. counties. Across all 3,144 counties the average is 50.0, the middle of the scale.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oglala Lakota County | 84 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Todd County | 84 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Dewey County | 81 | very high county distress | Delinquency |
| Corson County | 64 | moderate-high county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Buffalo County | 62 | moderate-high county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamlin County | 0 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Hanson County | 0 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Lincoln County | 0 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Hand County | 0 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Kingsbury County | 0 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in South Dakota is Oglala Lakota County (84, very high county distress); the least distressed is Hamlin County (0, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 66 South Dakota counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in South Dakota
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 443 mortgage complaints from South Dakota since 2012, 48.2 per 100,000 residents, 86.8 below the U.S. rate of 135. South Dakota ranks #49 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 26 | 25 | 24 | 29 | 27 | 26 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: South Dakota
The filing rate is bankruptcy cases filed in a year, from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, per 100,000 residents. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. South Dakota's rate of 72.8 is 96.3 below the U.S. rate of 169.1.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
Credit Distress: South Dakota
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 9.0% of people with a credit file in South Dakota have debt in collections, 4.9 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 11.5% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 30.5% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. Q1 2025. The U.S. average is weighted by state population (our calculation).
Economic Context: South Dakota
SNAP enrollment and unemployment give context for the debt figures above. The unemployment rate measures joblessness among people in the labor force. SNAP enrollment reflects each state's program rules and reach as well as need, which is why it is not part of the State Distress Index.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: South Dakota
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. South Dakota scores 31.6 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #42 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, June 2026), state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in South Dakota?
The credit card delinquency rate in South Dakota is 9.1% as of Q4 2025, ranking #47 among the 51 states and DC, 3.3 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 2.8 percentage points from 6.3% in Q4 2019.
How does South Dakota's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $52,270 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in South Dakota, $10,930 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 21.4% higher than in Q4 2019. South Dakota ranks #34 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in South Dakota?
Auto loan delinquency in South Dakota is 3.6% as of Q4 2025, 1.5 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #34 of 51. The rate is up from 3.4% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does South Dakota use?
South Dakota mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our South Dakota foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is South Dakota's State Distress Index score?
South Dakota scores 2 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 2% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #50 of 51 jurisdictions, in the least distressed fifth. The score is built from 4 equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. It ranks states against each other at one time. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical) for the country over time. The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in South Dakota?
The CFPB has received 443 mortgage complaints from South Dakota since 2012, 48.2 per 100,000 residents, 86.8 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #49 of 51. Companies responded to 99.1% of South Dakota complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in South Dakota?
South Dakota had 669 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 72.8 per 100,000 residents, 96.3 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #46 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 75.5% and Chapter 13 for 23.6%. That is 3.2% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in South Dakota have debt in collections?
9.0% of people with a credit file in South Dakota have debt in collections, 4.9 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #45 of 51. 11.5% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 5.4 percentage points below the U.S. average of 16.9%. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax), Q1 2025.
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in South Dakota?
70,332 residents of South Dakota received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 7.7%, 3.1 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #38 of 51. That is 6.6% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.8 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is South Dakota's financial safety net?
South Dakota scores 31.6 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #42 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (12.7% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (7.7%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which South Dakota counties have the highest financial distress?
Oglala Lakota County is the most distressed county in South Dakota with a County Distress Index score of 84 · very high county distress. Todd County (84 · very high county distress), Dewey County (81 · very high county distress), Corson County (64 · moderate-high county distress) are next. Hamlin County is the least distressed at 0 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 66 counties at /counties/south-dakota/.
How long can foreclosure take in South Dakota?
South Dakota mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: No separate statutory cure period for non-judicial foreclosure; any reinstatement right before a non-judicial sale depends on the mortgage terms. The 4-week publication period effectively gives you at least 21-28 days' notice. For judicial foreclosure where only some installments of the mortgage are due, paying the principal and interest due, with costs, into court before judgment ends the case (SDCL § 21-47-8), and paying them any time before the sale pauses the case until a later default (SDCL § 21-47-10). Homestead exemption: Up to $100,000 of equity ($170,000 for a homeowner 70 or older, or that person's unremarried surviving spouse); a judgment creditor can levy on equity above that amount. Also limited to 1 acre within a town/city or 160 acres in the country. Full details at /help/foreclosure/south-dakota/.
Where does South Dakota rank for financial distress?
South Dakota scores 2 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 2% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #50 of 51 jurisdictions, in the least distressed fifth. 0 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Delinquency. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #42 (Weak).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Published once a year with fourth-quarter figures.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
South Dakota Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.