Your life in Stanley County, South Dakota

What stands out

What stands out about Stanley County: violent crime is among the lowest in America (2.6 per 1,000), the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), and unemployment is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.9%). Within South Dakota it ranks 3rd of 66 counties for violent crime, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Stanley County, South Dakota. 2,979 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +28).

South Dakota has no income tax, no estate tax and no corporate income tax, and it is the country's largest trust jurisdiction because of its favorable trust law. Sales tax applies to groceries and most services. Sioux Falls and Rapid City carry most of the growth; the state's winters are long and its plains are exposed to severe storms. Property taxes are moderate.

Money

The typical household here brings in $82,298 a year, higher than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,989. Unemployment runs 1.9%, lower than 98% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

South Dakota has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $313K, pricier than 72% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $922 a month. Property tax is 1.38% of home value, roughly $2,348 a year on that median home, higher than 81% of American counties. 84% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than almost every county in America.

A child born here can expect to live 81.2 years, longer than 96% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 30.2 per 10,000 people. 8.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.68 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 76% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 47 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under South Dakota law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 48°F, highs near 61 and lows near 35, colder than 81% of American counties. About 23 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 6 out of 100, safer than 94% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 127 Mbps down, slower than 79% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• South Dakota tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.